ALOA AFL cheat sheet

Assembly rule: the leaf, frame, hinges, closer, latching or exit hardware, gasketing and glazing form one listed system; substituting an unlisted component voids the rating of the whole assembly.

Clearances for swinging assemblies: maximum 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) at jambs and head, maximum 1/8 in. between meeting edges of pairs, maximum 3/4 in. (19 mm) undercut above the finished floor.

Latching: the door must latch positively with the latch bolt engaging the strike; fire-rated openings require labeled fire exit hardware that provides both panic release and a latch.

Self-closing: the closer must close and latch the door from any open position; hold-open devices are allowed only if listed and arranged to release automatically on alarm or smoke detection.

Closer selection: must be listed for fire door use and sized to leaf width and weight; arms, brackets, backcheck and all screws must be complete and installed per the manufacturer's instructions.

Panic hardware thresholds: required at egress doors in Assembly and Educational occupancies with occupant load of 100 or more and in High Hazard occupancies; plain panic hardware cannot be used on a fire-rated opening.

Hinges and pivots: labeled, correct number and size, all screws present and tight; worn or sagging hinges prevent latching and are a common inspection deficiency.

Glazing: vision panels and sidelights must be labeled fire-rated glazing installed with listed compound; the glazing label sets the maximum permitted size and rating.

Temperature-rise ratings: 250 F, 450 F or 650 F after 30 minutes, used where the code limits heat transmission through the opening, typically at stair enclosures.

Division of labor: NFPA 80 governs installation, inspection, testing and maintenance; NFPA 101 and the IBC determine where an assembly is required and what rating applies.

Rating relationship: the door rating follows the wall rating, for example a 4-hour wall uses a 3-hour door, a 3-hour wall uses a 1 1/2-hour door, and a 1-hour wall typically uses a 3/4-hour door; 20-minute assemblies are permitted in certain 1-hour corridor partitions where the code allows.

Test standards: UL 10C (positive pressure) and NFPA 252 are the fire test methods behind the hourly label; NFPA 105 addresses smoke door assemblies, gasketing and their inspection.

Annual inspection: NFPA 80 requires fire door assemblies to be inspected and tested at least annually, with a written record of findings and corrective actions.

Egress dimensions: 32 in. minimum clear width, 80 in. minimum height, operable hardware 34 to 48 in. above the floor, and opening force not more than 5 lbf on accessible interior routes under ICC A117.1.

Labels: the hourly rating plus the words fire door or fire door frame must remain attached and legible; relabeling is performed only by the listing agency, never by field painting or label substitution.

Special egress locking: delayed egress and access-controlled egress are permitted only under the specific NFPA 101 conditions, including a listed system, release on power loss, manual release, alarm and AHJ approval.

Field modifications: cutting, welding, enlarging openings, removing parts or adding unlisted hardware is prohibited; only modifications permitted by NFPA 80 and the manufacturer's listing are acceptable.

Checklist content: label present and legible, no holes or breaks, glazing intact, clearances within limits, door unobstructed, hinges intact, closer operates, latching functions, coordinator works, gasketing intact, no unauthorized modifications, frame anchored, door swings freely.

Field tools: 1/8 in. gap or feeler gauge, tape measure, small level, screwdriver for tightness checks, flashlight, camera and the NFPA 80 inspection form.

Test sequence: verify label and hardware against the door schedule, measure gaps and undercut, open the door to full swing and release it, observe closing and latching, then repeat for both leaves of pairs.

Latch verification: with the door closed, attempt to pull it open without operating the hardware; the latch must hold, and fire exit hardware must latch with the door closed against the strike.

Documentation fields: unique opening ID and location, date, inspector name and qualification, required rating, findings by checklist item, photographs, corrective action, re-inspection date and signature.

Records: keep the written inspection record for the period required by the authority having jurisdiction, and retain deficiency reports and repair documentation with it.

Deficiency handling: report conditions that compromise life safety immediately to the owner and AHJ, and tag a door out of service when it cannot close or latch reliably.

Re-inspection: after any repair, hardware replacement or field modification, retest the full assembly and clear the deficiency in writing only when closing and latching are verified.

Coordination: schedule testing with fire alarm work so hold-opens are released under supervision, and restore every door to normal operation when testing ends.

Competence: accept only work within your training and certification, disclose limitations in the report, and refer specialized evaluations to qualified engineers or testing laboratories.

Independence: disclose any financial interest in the repair work; a third-party inspector should not inspect or certify assemblies that the inspector or the inspector's firm installed or repaired.

Objectivity: report observed conditions rather than assumptions about intent, and support each conclusion with the cited code section and the product label or listing.

Records integrity: never pre-fill, alter or backdate inspection records; correct errors with dated, signed amendments that remain traceable.

Confidentiality: treat building plans, keying, alarm details and security information as confidential and share them only with authorized parties.

Authority: the inspector verifies and reports, while the authority having jurisdiction interprets code and grants approvals; an inspector does not declare an assembly code compliant.

Safety and property: use personal protective equipment, avoid creating egress hazards, obtain owner approval before disabling hardware, and restore all doors to service.

Continuing education: track revisions to NFPA 80, NFPA 101, the IBC and ICC A117.1, and apply the edition adopted by the AHJ.

Communication: issue written reports, document verbal directions, and resist pressure from contractors or owners to soften or omit findings.