Fire Door Label Covered by Continuous Hinge

[LGreene]

When an existing door has a hinge problem, it's common practice to replace the original butt hinges with a continuous hinge (aka piano hinge). When a UL listed continuous hinge is installed on a fire door, it often covers the existing fire label. What should a facility do if they need to make this repair? Would you require UL or Intertek to field-label the opening (very expensive), or is there a way that the facility could document the existence of the label that would be acceptable to the AHJ? If a new door is ordered for use with a continuous hinge, the label is typically installed on the top of the door and the underside of the frame, but in most cases it's not physically possible to move a label, even if it was allowed.

 

[lunatick]

I doubt, in such cases, a piaon hinge is necessary the full height of the door. Why not cut out part of the flange to expose the label.

Or have a duplicate label installed over the hing flange.

 

[LGreene]

I doubt, in such cases, a piaon hinge is necessary the full height of the door. Why not cut out part of the flange to expose the label.Or have a duplicate label installed over the hing flange.

I don't think the cutout would be allowed on a listed hinge for a fire door.

 

[fireguy]

door hinges are listed? Are the fasteners also listed?

 

[Builder Bob]

I think that field modification to a fire rated door and fire frame assembly, would require a field visit and certification of the finished product. The other question that I would have is what does the door manufacture or the manufacture of the fire rated door frame allow to be installed on their product? I don't think many of them actually use piano hinges for testing of the product(s).

 

[Mac]

Yeah Bob, The whole thing is an assembly, and the rating includes all of the components as tested. Changing the hinge may not seem like a big deal but...

 

[LGreene]

door hinges are listed? Are the fasteners also listed?

Continuous hinges that are UL listed bear a label (usually an embossed mark). Butt hinges are subject to the requirements of NFPA 80 when used on a fire door but are not required to be individually labeled. The hinges must be installed with the fasteners they're shipped with.

 

[tmurray]

It will likely vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but, we would accept a photo of the original plate and a wide angle with the plate in view.