Fire protection door inspections: professional maintenance and safety testing
Fire protection doors play a key role in preventive fire protection: these self-locking doors ensure that openings in fire resistant doors are protected against the ingress of fire. Regular testing and professional maintenance of fire protection doors not only ensures reliable protection, but also often prevents expensive repairs.
Key aspects for safe fire protection doors
Fire compartment door with TS 5000 R-ISM overhead door closer system with guide rail for double leaf doors with closing sequence control and smoke switch. © Jürgen Pollak / GEZE GmbH
In order to ensure safe operation of fire protection doors, the right attachments need to be used, and further regulations need to be observed.
- The tightness of the door is essential for smoke protection doors. This tightness can be reduced if there are defects during installation. However, if the wall opening is not sealed by the fire and smoke protection door, toxic flue gases can enter other sections of the building and endanger human lives.
- The selected door hardware must be appropriate for a fire protection door.
- Fire protection doors are also located in escape and rescue routes. These areas must always be kept clear and conform to relevant emergency exit protection (EES) regulations.
- Seamless documentation of all maintenance measures provides verification, showing that managers have done their due diligence in case of a fire.
Advantages of regular maintenance
- Regular maintenance ensures fault-free operation.
- Statutory regulations are fulfilled, and the operator has met their duties in relation to fire protection.
- Potential defects can be identified and corrected in advance through planned, regular maintenance. This protects against unplanned repairs and extends durability.
- Properly maintained fire protection doors can help maintain insurance protection in case of a fire, without endangering insurance claims.
Requirements for fire protection door testing and maintenance
In general, the property owner or operator is obligated to maintain fire protection doors. If the area is a workplace, the company owner is likewise obligated under the building codes of the German federal states.
The following must be observed during expert inspections of fire protection door safety technology:
- Status check: The expert must inspect the general condition of the door, including the frame, seals and door hardware. Connections must be tight, contacts must be clean, and door hinges must move easily.
- Functional test: A test must be conducted to ensure the door closes and locks properly. The door must be checked to ensure it can move freely and is resistant to external influences. In power-operated doors, the power necessary to open the door is determined.
- Tightness: Seals must be inspected to ensure they are intact and tight, so that smoke and fire cannot get through in case of a fire.
- Labelling: The fire protection door must be labelled according to applicable regulations, including the classification on a nameplate, an ID number, and a testing number.
- Documentation: All test results must be documented in detail. This documentation verifies proper maintenance has been carried out, and may be important in case of damages.
- Compliance with standards: The test must be conducted in accordance with applicable standards and regulations, such as DIN 4102 or DIN EN 16034.
- Maintenance required: The expert should recommend necessary maintenance or repair work, to ensure the system's ongoing safety.
- Training and qualification: The tester should have the training and experience needed to complete the test properly.
Specified testing intervals for fire protection doors
Regular maintenance is essential, and legally required, for guaranteeing the function and safety of fire protection doors.
The following maintenance intervals apply:
- At least once annually, professional maintenance must be carried out and documented in accordance with DIN 31051.
- Maintenance intervals must be adapted to the use. Heavily used doors must be maintained three times a year or more often.
- A trained person should check the hold-open system for correct functionmonthly. For newer hold-open systems, this interval may be extended to 3 months after a period of one year with no complaints.
Guidelines, standards and laws for fire protection door maintenance
For installation, labelling and maintenance
- DIN EN 16034: Installation of fire protection closers
- DIN 4102-5 and DIN EN 1634-1: Planning, installation and operation of fire protection doors as well as DIN 4102-5 on labelling fire protection closers
- DIN 18095: Smoke protection doors
- DIN 14677: Hold-open system maintenance
For occupational safety and operation of fire protection doors
- Technical workplace regulations (ASR A1.7 Abs. 10.2)
- Accident prevention regulations
- DIBt guidelines
- Manufacturer test certificate
- Model Building Regulation (MBO)
- Workplaces Ordinance
DIN 18650: Clear standards for fire protection door maintenance
The standard DIN 18650 regulates key points for fire protection door maintenance:
- The operator is responsible for the operation, regular maintenance and safety testing of systems.
- Only trained, expert personnel may carry out the maintenance.
Retrofitting keeps the system up to date
Repeated retrofitting may be necessary, due for instance to new regulations or new requirements. These retrofits must be carried out to maintain the safety of the building and to maintain insurance protection.
- A notification obligation applies for retrofitting. This work must be documented in the testing protocol, and the operator must be explicitly informed of it.
- The operator is responsible for retrofitting and conversions.
- Neither ASR A 1.7 nor DIN 18650 formulates any grandfathering stipulations. The operator must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of retrofitting, and remains responsible for traffic safety obligations.
- In case of damages, the courts will decide whether safety regulations were sufficiently observed. A log book can be used for verification in this case.
A hot topic: liability in case of damages
The owner or operator of a building is primarily responsible for safety and for complying with fire protection requirements. Because of this, it is in their interest to comply with, verify and document all specifications. If maintenance was not carried out properly, the operator will be fully liable towards third parties. Testing protocols for regular maintenance on fire protections carried out in accordance with technical provisions serve as proof. Gaps in documentation, or defects that are not found or not corrected may reduce insurance benefits in case of a claim.
In addition, if an operator or owner violates their maintenance obligations, the door manufacturer’s warranty will be null and void.
In addition to fire protection regulations themselves, fire protection doors also need to fulfil other standards and regulations. They are also subject, for instance, to construction approval law requirements. In this case, defects could impact the building approval, or restrict the operation of systems or buildings. Fines or criminal penalties could also be issued.
Customised services throughout the entire building life cycle
GEZE Services - Everything from a single source © GEZE GmbH
As your reliable service partner with over 160 years of experience, we serve you with our many years of expertise. We test your systems in accordance with regulations for proper function, safety, and personal, property and occupational protection. With our company, this always includes advising on statutory regulations and standards, as well as retrofitting.
We support you throughout the entire product life cycle – from certified assembly and bringing on the market (= initial acceptance) of GEZE systems to regular maintenance to retrofitting and removal.
If needed, we can provide on-site support for property advising, for example through technology-supported documentation of all maintenance results, and for operational and investment planning
What makes our GEZE Services stand out:
- All-around service, no matter the system manufacturer
- 24/7 customer service
- Quick reaction times in case of a fault
- Fair and transparent pricing
- Professional advising on statutory regulations and standards
GEZE is the right contact person for you for planning, assembling and maintaining your fire protection doors and intelligent system solutions. Discover our flexible and customised maintenance and service packages. They ensure you’re always on the safe side, and have nothing to worry about.
