Guide to Fire Door Lifespan and Replacement Schedule Published by: Zhang Yulin – Guangdun Door Industry Co., Ltd. How often do you check the functionality of your fire doors? Often taken for granted, fire doors play a critical role in safeguarding both people and property. Imagine the consequences if they fail to operate effectively. Like […]
Tag Archives: Fire Door Lifespan
The lifespan of a fire door depends on multiple factors, including its materials, installation quality, usage frequency, and compliance with fire safety regulations. Here’s a professional breakdown:
1. Typical Service Life
-
Wooden fire doors: 10–15 years when properly maintained. Exposure to humidity, impact damage, or poor maintenance can shorten this.
-
Steel fire doors: 15–25 years due to higher durability, provided they are protected from corrosion and mechanical wear.
-
Glass fire doors (with fire-rated glazing): 8–12 years depending on installation location and exposure to thermal stress.
2. Inspection & Maintenance
-
Annual fire door inspections are required in most jurisdictions (NFPA 80 in the U.S., BS 8214 in the U.K., EN 16034 in the EU, GB 12955 in China).
-
Critical elements like hinges, closers, intumescent seals, vision panels, and latching hardware must remain fully functional.
-
A well-maintained fire door can exceed its standard lifespan, while neglected doors may fail within just a few years.
3. Replacement Triggers
A fire door should be replaced if:
-
The door leaf is warped, cracked, or has visible damage.
-
Seals are missing, broken, or painted over.
-
The frame has structural damage or gaps larger than 3 mm.
-
Hardware (hinges, closers, locks) fails to work as intended.
-
The door fails a fire door test during inspection.
4. Regulatory Perspective
-
NFPA (U.S.): Requires fire doors to be inspected annually; replacement depends on condition, not age alone.
-
BSI / EN standards (Europe): Focus on continuous compliance; fire doors may last decades if maintained properly.
-
China 3C standard: Fire doors must be tested and recertified if relocated or modified.
5. Best Practices for Maximizing Lifespan
-
Ensure professional installation by certified contractors.
-
Keep doors closed or fitted with certified hold-open devices.
-
Train staff/building occupants not to block or wedge fire doors.
-
Schedule preventive maintenance every 6–12 months.
✅ In practice: Many building managers budget to replace fire doors every 10–20 years, depending on building use (schools, hospitals, and high-traffic facilities often require earlier replacement).