Fire Rated Doors Kept Open

[Gordon]

Sometimes fire rated opening protectives, particularly doors, are blocked open temporarily for various legitimate reasons such as maintenance, routing emergency power cables, etc. Does anyone issue permits for this sort of thing? This isn't something I find clearly addressed in the 2006 IFC but I miss things sometimes. Jusr wondering if someone has a method to handle this. Thanks

 

[cda]

do not allow it, unless they call for an inspection and explain what, why, when and where they are going to do it, then document.

Not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!

look to chapter 14 IFC for guidance to include requireing fire watch

 

[FM William Burns]

We treat requests similar to impairments for fire protection systems. We require impairment schedules identiying affected openings/areas, means for emergency control, responsible parties and facility responsible parties. The schedule form must be sent in electronically prior to impairment and finished upon compleation of work. A fire watch must be initiated for impairments lasting longer than 4 hours.

 

[TheCommish]

fire door protective’s should not be blocked open for any reason. They can however be on hold opens that release the door when the fire alarm is trigged by either the sprinkler system or other initiating devices.

emergency power cable should be run though wall with the proper intumescent sealing sleeves

 

[Coug Dad]

Make sure they only use wooden or plastic door wedges. That way, the wedge will be consumed in the conflagration and all evidence will be gone.

 

[Gordon]

The "450 degree, four hour fusible link"?