Annual Fire Door Inspection

Review the last inspection date, the code edition adopted for the facility, and any instructions from the authority having jurisdiction. The NFPA 80 requirements guide explains the annual requirement and the inspection criteria; this page focuses on planning the work.

Gather life-safety drawings, door schedules, prior reports, and known opening identifiers. Reconcile duplicate or missing IDs before fieldwork when possible. Do not assume every corridor or smoke-barrier door is a rated fire door; confirm the applicable assembly requirements.

Identify restricted areas, infection-control procedures, security requirements, operating hours, escorts, and spaces where work could affect occupants. Share these constraints before scheduling so the field plan reflects how the facility operates.

Schedule early enough to review findings, approve repairs, complete corrective work, and update records before an external review or the next due date. The right lead time depends on facility access, the number and type of findings, and material availability.

Store the final report, deficiency decisions, repair records, and closeout evidence together. For portfolios, use a recurring calendar with a responsible facility contact and an accessible record location for each site.