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Fire Door Signs: Frequently Asked Questions and Regulations

Q: Where should fire door signs be placed?

<p>As stated in <a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFC2018/chapter-7-fire-and-smoke-protection-features">IFC Section 705.2.2</a>, when required by the fire code official, <a href="https://www.mydoorsign.com/Fire-Exit-Door-Signs">fire door signs</a> shall be permanently displayed on or near each fire door. The letters on the sign should be at least 1&rdquo; (25 mm) high. Signs identifying doors designed to be normally kept open should read, &ldquo;FIRE DOOR&mdash;DO NOT BLOCK&rdquo;. Those used with doors meant to be kept normally closed should read, &ldquo;FIRE DOOR&mdash;KEEP CLOSED&rdquo;.</p>

Q. What is a fire door?

Simply put, fire doors are barriers that slow down the spread of smoke, fire, and toxic gases during a fire event. Fire Door is defined in Chapter 2 of the International Building Code as the door component of a fire door assembly. Here, a fire door assembly is any combination of a fire door, frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a certain degree of fire protection to the opening the assembly is applied to. Fire doors form an integral part of a building’s passive fire protection system. As part of a means of egress, these provide life safety by letting people exit quickly when necessary.

Q. Which standard covers fire doors?

Fire doors and other opening protectives are covered under NFPA 80. This standard regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors, and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke. The standard is referenced by the IBC, IFC, NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and other codes and standards.

Q. Where should fire door signs be placed?

As stated in IFC Section 705.2.2, when required by the fire code official, fire door signs shall be permanently displayed on or near each fire door. The letters on the sign should be at least 1” (25 mm) high. Signs identifying doors designed to be normally kept open should read, “FIRE DOOR—DO NOT BLOCK”. Those used with doors meant to be kept normally closed should read, “FIRE DOOR—KEEP CLOSED”.

Q. How large can fire door signs be?

As specified in Section 4.1.4 of NFPA 80, fire door signs are meant for informational purposes only and must not exceed 5% of the area of the face of the fire door that they are attached to. Additionally, these signs can neither be installed on glazing material in fire doors nor can be installed at a place on the door where they may impair or interfere with the proper operation of the door. You may find more information here.

Q. Why shouldn’t fire door signs be attached to fire doors with nails or screws?

Attaching a fire door sign on a fire door with nails or screws can, and in all likelihood will, void the label on the door and affect its performance under fire conditions. Hence, NFPA does not permit the use of nails or screws but only an adhesive to attach a fire door sign.