Interior Product Code SubCommittee Submits Fire Door Code Proposal

The Window and Door Manufacturers Association newsletter recently reported that the association has submitted the following proposal to include the installation of vision panels into NFPA 80-2007, Standards for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. “Glazing materials in vision panels shall be installed in labeled glass light kits or in accordance with the fire door listing, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. inspection service procedure and under label service.” (The stricken and underlined text indicates the proposed change to the code.)

Statement of Problem and Substantiation for Proposal
The preparation of doors for vision panels, but not the actual installation of vision panels, is currently held to the requirements of inspection service procedures and is under label service. Unfortunately, since the labeling requirements of inspection and label service extend only through the door preparation stage, vision panels are too often installed inconsistent with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Labeled doors with improperly installed vision panels are unlikely to meet their rated fire performance. This proposal requires that inspection service procedures and label services be extended to the installation of vision panels, regardless of where in supply chain vision panels are installed. The addition of 3rd party oversight of the installation of vision panels will help ensure that fire doors with vision panels perform to their fire rating.

If you would like more information on this proposal, please contact John Woestman at jwoestman@wdma.com.

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to Shelter™ magazine.