Confessions of a Fire Door Fanatic
As someone who’s been obsessed with fire doors since I was knee-high to a hardwood jamb, I’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. And let me tell you, when it comes to fire safety, there’s no room for messing around. That’s why I’m on a mission to spread the gospel of proper fire door maintenance, one latch at a time.
The Curious Case of the Non-Latching 20-Minute Doors
Now, I’ll never forget the day I was teaching a class and stumbled upon a real head-scratcher – a pair of fire doors that had some serious issues. As we were discussing the lack of positive-latching, someone mentioned that 20-minute doors didn’t even need to latch at one point. Color me intrigued!
So, I dug into my newfound treasure, a 1961 edition of NFPA 80 that I’d scored on eBay for a cool $4.99. And guess what? Those 20-minute doors weren’t even mentioned in that edition. It wasn’t until the 1973 version that they made an appearance, and I couldn’t find any exceptions for the latching requirement.
If you’re reading this and have memories of non-latching 20-minute doors, I’d love to hear about it. In the meantime, I’ll be scouring those early NFPA editions, searching for clues like a fire door detective.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
But let’s not forget the real reason we’re here – those pesky louvers. I’ve seen ’em all, from the ones that are too big to the ones without a fusible link. And let me tell you, they can be a real nightmare when it comes to fire safety.
Take the doors I’m working on right now, for example. They’ve got everything – a dead bolt, no exit devices, and those louvers that are just begging to let the smoke and flames come waltzing right in. And don’t even get me started on the painted-over label and the hideous carpet. Seriously, who thought that was a good idea?
Latching Up the Liability
Now, I know what you’re thinking – there’s gotta be some kind of “grandfathered” clause that lets these fire doors slide, right? Well, let me tell you, that’s not the case. NFPA 80 is pretty clear on this one – fire doors need to swing freely, close completely, and latch securely. No exceptions, no excuses.
That’s why I’m on a mission to make sure these louvers are up to snuff. Because when it comes to fire safety, you can’t afford to take any chances. It’s all about limiting liability and keeping people safe, one latch at a time.
The Louver Lowdown
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Jess, what about those cool-looking louvers? Surely they’re not all bad, right?” Well, I’m here to tell you, my friend, that when it comes to fire doors, louvers can be a real liability.
See, the thing is, those louvers can act like a big ol’ welcome mat for smoke and flames. They can defeat the whole purpose of the fire door, turning it into a smoky, fiery mess instead of the sturdy barrier it’s supposed to be.
And let’s not forget about the NFPA 80 requirements. Those babies are pretty clear – no louvers allowed on fire doors, period. Unless, of course, they’ve got a trusty fusible link to keep them in check.
So, if you’re tempted to add some decorative louvers to your fire doors, I’d strongly recommend taking a step back and reconsidering. After all, do you really want to be the one responsible for a raging inferno because of a few fancy air vents? I didn’t think so.
Latching Up the Future
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Jess, what about the good old days when you could hold an NFPA standard with just two fingers?” Well, let me tell you, those days are long gone, my friend.
These days, it’s all about keeping up with the latest regulations and making sure your fire doors are up to snuff. And that means no more of those pesky non-latching doors, no matter how “grandfathered” they might be.
Because when it comes to fire safety, you can’t afford to take any chances. That’s why I’m on a mission to make sure every fire door in this town is latching up and ready to go. Because let me tell you, the liability of a non-latching fire door is something no one wants to mess with.
So, if you’re in the market for some custom window treatments, why not give Home Curtains Philadelphia a try? Not only do they know their stuff when it comes to window treatments, but they’re also on the front lines of fire door safety. And trust me, that’s a combination you can’t beat.
