NFPA 80-compliant fire door inspection template covering door assembly, frame, hardware, clearances, glazing, seals, and operation. Fill out online and download as PDF — no signup required.
What Is a Fire Door Inspection?
A fire door inspection is a systematic evaluation of fire-rated door assemblies to verify they will perform as intended during a fire. Fire doors are designed to compartmentalize buildings, preventing the spread of fire and smoke between sections. When a fire door fails — because of damaged seals, missing hardware, improper gaps, or unauthorized modifications — the entire fire compartmentalization strategy for that floor or section fails with it.
NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, requires annual inspection of all fire door assemblies. This isn't optional — it's a code requirement that affects building occupancy permits, insurance coverage, and liability exposure. The Joint Commission (for healthcare facilities), CMS (for Medicare-certified facilities), and most local fire marshals actively enforce these requirements.
Fire door inspections involve checking every component of the door assembly: the door leaf, frame, hinges, closer, latching hardware, glazing, seals, and clearances. Each element plays a specific role in the assembly's fire rating. A 90-minute fire door with a missing intumescent seal or excessive clearance gaps is no longer a 90-minute fire door — it's a liability. Proper documentation of each inspection protects building owners, facility managers, and the inspectors who perform the work.
What's covered
- Door & Frame: Door material & fire rating, Frame type & anchorage, Condition assessment, Manufacturer & label verification
- Clearances & Gaps: Top, side & bottom gap measurements, Code compliance verification, Undercut maximum check, Meeting stile gap (double doors)
- Hardware: Hinges — type, count & condition, Door closer operation, Latching hardware function, Astragal & coordinator (pairs)
- Seals & Operation: Intumescent seal presence, Smoke seal condition, Self-closing & self-latching test, Hold-open device compliance
Why this checklist
Aligned with NFPA 80 inspection criteria. Every field in this template maps to a specific NFPA 80 requirement. Door condition, frame anchorage, clearance measurements, hardware function, seal presence, and operational testing — the items fire marshals and accreditation surveyors actually check during compliance reviews.
Pass/fail documentation for each component. Fire door inspections are binary — each element either meets code or it doesn't. This template documents individual component status so deficiencies are traceable to specific items, making repair orders clear and follow-up inspections efficient.
Clearance gap measurements with code references. Fire door clearance requirements are precise: maximum 1/8" at the top and sides, maximum 3/4" at the bottom (or 3/8" for smoke doors). This template captures actual measurements so you can demonstrate compliance — or document exactly how much a gap exceeds the allowable tolerance.
Covers double doors and specialized hardware. Paired fire doors require coordinators, astragals, and specific latching sequences. Single-door templates miss these critical items. This checklist includes sections for coordinators, astragals, and meeting stile evaluation that apply specifically to double-door assemblies.
How to Complete a Fire Door Inspection
- Identify the door assembly — Record the door identification number or location code, building name, floor, and specific location (e.g., "2nd Floor Stairwell B"). Note the fire rating from the door label — 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours. Verify the manufacturer's label is present and legible.
- Inspect the door and frame — Examine the door leaf for holes, breaks, cracks, or damage. Check both faces and all edges. Verify no unauthorized modifications have been made (added vents, pet doors, mail slots). Inspect the frame for alignment, anchorage, and damage. A misaligned frame causes gap and latching problems.
- Measure clearances — Measure gaps at the top, both sides, and bottom using a gap gauge. Maximum clearance is 1/8" at top and sides for most assemblies. Bottom gap maximum is typically 3/4" (3/8" for smoke doors). Document actual measurements — "gaps appear normal" is not acceptable documentation.
- Test all hardware — Count and inspect hinges — fire doors require steel hinges, typically three for standard height doors. Test the door closer: the door must close completely and latch from any open position without assistance. Verify latching hardware engages the strike plate fully. For paired doors, test the coordinator sequence.
- Check glazing and seals — If the door has vision panels, verify the glazing is fire-rated and properly labeled. Check that glazing doesn't exceed the maximum size for the door's fire rating. Inspect intumescent seals for continuity — they must be present in the door or frame with no gaps, paint, or damage. Check smoke seals if required.
- Test operation and document findings — Open the door fully and release it — it must self-close and positively latch without manual assistance. Verify no hold-open devices are present unless they're connected to the fire alarm system. Check signage. Assign a pass or fail to the overall assembly and document all deficiencies with specific corrective actions.
Common Mistakes in Fire Door Inspections
Not measuring clearance gaps. The most common deficiency in fire door inspections is excessive clearance gaps. Inspectors who eyeball gaps instead of measuring them miss violations. Use a gap gauge on every door. A gap that looks like 1/8" might actually be 3/16" — and that's a failure.
Ignoring the door closer adjustment. A door closer that doesn't fully close and latch the door is a failed closer, even if it "almost" closes. The door must close and positively latch from any open position — full open, half open, and nearly closed. Adjust or replace closers that don't meet this requirement.
Missing unauthorized hold-open devices. Wedges, doorstops, hooks, and blocks propping fire doors open are code violations. Magnetic hold-open devices are only compliant if they're connected to the fire alarm system and release automatically on alarm. Document any unauthorized hold-open device as a deficiency.
Not checking for field modifications. Fire doors are tested and labeled as complete assemblies. Any modification to the door — holes drilled for additional hardware, added kickplates beyond manufacturer specifications, cut-down doors, or installed louvers — voids the fire rating. Inspect both faces of every door for evidence of modifications.
Skipping the label verification. Every fire-rated door and frame must have a legible manufacturer's label or listing mark. If the label is missing, painted over, or illegible, the door cannot be verified as fire-rated. This is a common finding in older buildings where doors have been repainted multiple times.
Common questions
How often must fire doors be inspected?
NFPA 80 requires annual inspection and testing of all fire door assemblies. Some facilities — healthcare, education, high-rise buildings — may require more frequent inspections based on local codes or accreditation requirements. New installations should be inspected upon completion and before the building is occupied.
Who can inspect fire doors?
NFPA 80 requires inspections by "a knowledgeable individual." While the code doesn't mandate specific certifications, most authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) expect inspectors to demonstrate competency. Certifications like FDAI (Fire Door Assembly Inspector) from NFPA/ICC provide recognized credentials. Building owners should verify their inspector's qualifications.
What happens if a fire door fails inspection?
Failed fire doors must be repaired or replaced. Deficiencies should be documented and communicated to the building owner or facility manager. Life-safety deficiencies (missing closers, doors blocked open) should be corrected immediately. Other deficiencies should be corrected within a reasonable timeframe. Re-inspection after repairs is recommended.
What are the maximum gap clearances for fire doors?
Per NFPA 80: maximum 1/8" clearance between the door and frame at the top and sides. Maximum 3/4" at the bottom (3/8" for smoke doors). For paired doors, the meeting stile gap maximum is 1/8" plus or minus 1/16". These are maximum allowances — actual gaps should be consistent and uniform.
Can fire doors have glass panels?
Yes, but the glazing must be fire-rated and labeled. The maximum glazing area depends on the door's fire rating: 20-minute doors allow up to 1,296 sq in of glazing, while 90-minute doors typically allow a maximum of 100 sq in unless using special fire-rated glazing systems. All glazing must be listed for the door's fire rating.
What is an intumescent seal?
Intumescent seals are strips installed in the door or frame that expand when exposed to heat, sealing the gap between the door and frame during a fire. They're a critical component of the fire door assembly — without them, fire and smoke can pass through the clearance gaps. Seals must be continuous, unpainted, and undamaged.