This article was originally posted by Keith E. Pardoe on  www.pardoeconsultingllc.com  on November 6, 2014.

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This is the second in a series of articles that highlight and discuss changes that occurred in the 2015 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code that affect egress, fire, and security door assemblies.

As mentioned in the first article in this series, the conventions used to indicate changes that were made between the edition that immediately precedes the now-current edition have been discontinued. Consequently, users need to thoroughly compare content of the new edition to the former edition to discover the changes that were made. Such is the case with Section 7.2.1.15 Inspections of Door Openings.

At first glance, Section 7.2.1.15 appears to be unchanged, but upon closer study there are a few subtle, but significant changes that merit discussion. For example, in the 2012 edition paragraph 7.2.1.15.2 required fire-rated door assemblies to be inspected in accordance with NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives and smoke door assemblies (aka, smoke leakage-rated door assemblies) to be inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives. In the 2015 edition, these requirements have been moved to sections under Chapter 8, Features of Fire Protection. Paragraph 8.2.2.4(3) states, "Door assemblies shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives." (Underlining is added to indicate new content.)

While we are looking at 8.2.2.4 it bears mentioning that item (4) that appeared in the 2012 edition, which required smoke door assemblies to be inspected in accordance with 7.2.1.15, has been deleted. The reason for deleting former item (4) is that the requirements of Section 7.2.1.15 apply only to the doors that are specifically listed in that section, which does not include all of the smoke-leakage doors that need to be inspected.

A new paragraph 8.3.3.13 addresses the inspection of fire-rated door assemblies; it states, "Fire-rated door assemblies shall be inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives."

Finally, a new Section 8.8 Inspection and Testing of Door Assemblies was added to Chapter 8 and is excerpted in its entirety for your convenience:

The annex comment in A.8.8 explains that these new inspection requirements are intended to apply to all occupancies where door assemblies are installed in smoke barriers, smoke partitions, and in hazardous areas. These door assemblies are not necessarily covered by the requirements of 8.2.2.4(3) or 8.3.3.13. In other words, some of the door assemblies covered by 8.3.3.13 are not fire-rated and are not considered to be smoke-leakage rated door assemblies, but they are required to be self-closing or automatic-closing to limit the transfer of smoke.

Perhaps the most important point to remember regarding the moving of these requirements to Chapter 8, Features of Fire Protection is that these requirements become mandatory for all occupancies where fire-rated, smoke-leakage rated, and self-closing/automatic-closing doors are required, whereas the requirements of Section 7.2.1.15 are only applicable "Where required by Chapters 11 through 43."

In addition to the changes in 7.2.1.15 mentioned, there are several other changes that should be noted. The reference to NFPA 80 that appeared in the 2012 edition in paragraph 7.2.1.15.3 was deleted due to moving the inspection requirements for fire-rated doors to paragraph 8.3.3.13. Since the reference to NFPA 80 was deleted, new paragraphs 7.2.1.15.2.1, 7.2.1.15.2.2, and 7.2.1.15.2.3 were added to include provisions for the inspection and testing interval to be performed under a performance-based program. The annex comment for 7.2.1.15.2 directs users to Annex J in NFPA 80 for the description of a performance-based inspection and testing program.

Lastly, two new inspection items were added to the checklist under paragraph 7.2.1.15.6; items (12) and (13) respectively. Item (12) states. "where required by 7.2.2.5.5.7, door hardware markings is present and intact." Item (13) states, "Emergency lighting on access-controlled egress doors and doors equipped with delayed-egress locking systems is present and functioning in accordance with section 7.9." The changes covered in this article will have a significant affect on the inspection requirements of door assemblies when the 2015 edition is adopted by a jurisdiction. I recommend that you purchase a copy of the 2015 edition of NFPA 101 or access it through the NFPA website (you can do that for free) and read the above referenced sections and paragraphs (including the related annex comments) for yourself for the full context.

Be sure to check back soon for the next installment in this series of articles.

[This article was originally posted by Keith E. Pardoe on September 1, 2015, on PardoeConsultingLLC.com.]

Marking of Glazing Materials in Fire Doors and Door Frames

Glass and glazing materials used in fire door assemblies must be either fire protection-rated or fire resistance-rated. For some time now the model codes required fire-rated glazing materials to be marked with glazing codes for each application. At one point, these glazing codes varied depending on which building code was used. For example, the International Building Code (IBC) glazing codes varied from glazing codes in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code and NFPA 5000, Building and Construction Safety Code. Recently, the glazing codes from each code standardized and are essentially the same. Accordingly, NFPA 80 now includes these requirements. Paragraph 4.2.2* states: “New fire protection-rated and fire resistance-rated glazing shall be marked in accordance with Table 4.2.2, and such markings shall be permanently affixed.”

New table 4.2.2 Marking Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies appears in NFPA 80 is excerpted here for your convenience.

Note: In the footnote of table 4.2.2, the reference to NFPA 101 is shown as “[101:Table 8.3.3.12].” NFPA uses square brackets “[ ]” to indicate extracted content from a source document. In this case, the source document is NFPA 101, 2015 edition.

Remember, the asterisk marking paragraph 4.2.2 indicates there is additional information in Annex A. Following the asterisk to paragraph A.4.2.2, we are referred to Table A.4.2.2 Minimum Fire Ratings for Opening Protectives in Fire Resistance-Rated Assemblies and Fire-Rated Glazing Markings. This table, too, is extracted from the 2015 edition of NFPA 101; it’s Table 8.3.4.2—see the footnote below. For the time being, Table A.4.2.2 will remain in Annex A since there are several differences between NFPA 101/5000 and the similar table in the IBC.

Remember, Annex A’s content is explanatory in nature, not enforceable. Chapters 1 through 21, the main body of NFPA 80, contain minimum (mandatory) requirements that are enforceable.

NFPA 80 has required individual pieces of glazing materials to be marked with a label, since the 1992 edition. At that point in time, the label was simply a marking or etching that indicated the wired glass (or other glazing material) was labeled for use on fire door assemblies. Later, the model building codes expanded on the information to be marked on the glazing materials, and it has continued to evolve ever since.

Fire door assembly inspectors need to be aware that these markings are required. They also need to be aware of the marking requirements at the time the door assemblies were installed. Glazing materials installed prior to the application of the 1992 edition of NFPA 80 were not marked. They are still in use today. There is no requirement for a facility to replace unmarked existing glazing materials with new glazing materials that are marked. When replacing damaged glazing materials, new glazing materials are required to comply with the marking requirements that are current at the time of replacement (see 5.5.2 and 5.5.3).

Provisions for Oversized Doors

In earlier editions of NFPA 80, the only provision for using oversized fire doors required the AHJs to be consulted on the use of such fire door assemblies (see paragraphs 4.3.9 and A.4.3.9 in the 2013 edition). New provisions appear under Section 4.3.9* Oversized Fire Doors in the 2016 edition of NFPA 80. The first provision recognizes that some fire door assemblies are too large to be tested. These large door assemblies need to be labeled or have a certificate of inspection from an approved testing agency.

Certificates of inspection issued by an approved testing agency need to “…state that the door conforms to the requirements of design, materials, and construction but has not been subjected to the fire test” (see paragraph 4.3.9.2).

These new provisions codify the long-standing industry-practice when oversized fire door assemblies are used. Since NFPA 80 contains these new provisions, AHJs might approve the use of an oversized fire door assembly but you need to seek their approval in advance of installing one.

Provisions for Detectors and Fusible Links

Section 4.7 has a new title, it’s called “Actuation Devices for Fire Doors, Fire Shutters, and Fire Windows.” Automatic-closing doors need some form of a system that causes the door to close under fire conditions, and in some cases upon loss of power. Electronic detectors (e.g., heat and smoke) release the hold-open mechanism causing the doors to close. These detectors might be tied into “…a fire alarm, water flow alarm, or carbon dioxide release system” (see paragraph 4.7.1.1). Fail-safe systems close the doors when power to the detectors or release mechanisms is interrupted. Fusibile-link systems (usually consisting of cables, pullies, counter weights, and fusible links) are needed when the automatic-closing system is not fail-safe (see paragraph 4.7.1.3).

Non-fail safe systems might include electronic detectors but the detectors and release mechanisms are not tied into the fire (or other) alarm. These systems need fusible links to ensure the doors will close in a fire. Fusible links systems might not be allowed in some applications due to the extended time it takes for the lead links to melt. Smoke passes through the openings until the links melt and the doors close.

Paragraph 4.7.1.4 includes a new requirement for devices that delay the closing of doors. It states, “Fire doors that incorporate a device that delays activation of an automatic-closing, self-closing, or emergency power operation shall not delay the initiation of the closing or reclosing of the door for more than 10 seconds, unless acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.”

In applications where fire doors protect openings through which conveyor systems pass, paragraph 4.7.1.5 requires detectors to provide three critical functions that clear the openings and cause doors to close. First, they need to either “…stop the feed conveyor or otherwise initiate the mechanism that clears the path of the fire door.” Next, the actuation devices need to delay the closing of the doors until the opening is clear and unobstructed; the delay is limited to no more than 10 seconds. Lastly, the actuation devices need to release the automatic-closing or self-closing mechanisms. Horizontally-sliding, vertically-sliding, and rolling steel doors are used to protect these types of openings.

The next two sections cover the installation of smoke and heat detectors. Section 4.7.2 Smoke Detectors requires smoke detectors to be located within specific distances from the door assemblies, “…in accordance with NFPA 72.” This is one example of how external reference codes like NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, add requirements to NFPA 80. Figure 17.7.5.6.5.1(A) below shows the maximum distances for the placement of smoke detectors. Note that NFPA 72 recognizes the use of electrified door closers with built-in smoke detectors. Take time to study this figure closely, it shows a great deal of information.

For more information, read section 17.7.5.6 Smoke Detectors for Door Release Service in NFPA 72, Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2016. (Remember, you can read NFPA 72 online through NFPA’s website.)

Section 4.7.3 Heat Detectors covers the placement and operation of heat detectors with door assemblies. Figures 4.7.3.1(a) and 4.7.3.1(b) illustrate where heat detectors are placed in relation to the door assemblies they control. Paragraph 4.7.3.2 requires heat detectors to be installed on both sides of the wall where the door openings occur, “…unless otherwise acceptable to the AHJ.” All of the detectors that are linked to the same door assembly are required to be interconnected “…so that the operation of any single heat detector causes the door to close.”

Section 4.7.4 Fusible Links covers the placement, location, and number of fusible links needed for door assemblies. Figure 4.7.3.1(a) illustrates where fusible links can be installed in relation to the intersection of ceilings and walls. Paragraph 4.7.4.2 requires fusible links to be placed on both sides of the walls where the door openings occur. These links are interconnected by a series of cables or chains that pass through a sleeve in the wall. Doors close when any fusible link melts. It bears mentioning that the fusible link systems covered in 4.7.4.2 are intended for horizontally-sliding, vertically-sliding, and rolling steel door assemblies (among others). This section does not address the use of fusible links on swinging doors with builders hardware, where fusible links are built into door closer arms—these types of door closers are rarely used on today’s buildings.

Provisions for Listed Products Installed at or Under Door Bottoms

A new provision for mitigating excessive clearances under fire doors is found in paragraph 4.8.4.2. It states. “Products evaluated for fire doors with a bottom clearance in excess of ¾ in. (19 mm) and listed for use at or under the bottom of the fire door shall be permitted where installed in accordance with their listings.” Excessive clearance under fire doors, particularly swinging doors with builders hardware, is one the most commonly cited deficiencies found during safety inspections of door assemblies. Concrete floors have high and low areas that are not level. The unevenness of concrete floors is most noticeable under fire doors. New products are being designed to reduce the clearance under between the bottom of fire doors and the floors. NFPA 80 recognizes the need for these new products and allows their use, provided they are listed for use on fire door assemblies.

When the doors have latching hardware that extend into the floor below the door (e.g, flush bolts, concealed vertical rod bottom latches, etc.), the new products allowed by 4.8.4.2 cannot interfere with the operation of the latching hardware.

Other Changes

A subtle but important change occurred in paragraph 4.1.4.3. The words “fire protection-rated” were inserted before the word “glazing.” Earlier editions of NFPA 80 prohibited the placement of signage on all types of glazing in fire doors. 4.1.4.3 now specifically prohibits the application of signage on fire protection-rated glazing. In other words, signage cannot be applied to fire protection-rated glazing but it can be placed on fire resistance-rated glazing. Annex paragraph A.4.1.4.3 explains that due to the design of some fire doors and requirements for special locking arrangements (e.g., delayed egress), it is necessary to apply the required signage to glazing materials. In these cases, the annex comment recommends the use of fire resistance-rated glazing.

Another change occurred paragraph 4.8.1.3. It states, “Door assemblies shall be used on walls of other construction where listed for such installation.” The word “where” was substituted for the word “if” that appears in earlier editions of NFPA 80.

We’ve covered all of the changes in Chapter 4 General Requirements. Be sure to review each of these changes in your copy of NFPA 80 to better understand their context.

Changes in Chapter 5 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance are covered in the next article.

[This article was originally posted by Keith E. Pardoe on September 1, 2015 on, PardoeConsultingLLC.com.]

This article is the second in a series of articles dedicated to the changes in the new NFPA 80. You may read these articles in any order, but the first article includes some helpful tips for accessing NFPA 80 online. Tips for highlighting your copy of NFPA 80 are also in the first article.

As we go through the following changes, remember the provisions and requirements of Chapter 4 General Requirements apply to many of the fire door assemblies covered in NFPA 80. Users need to refer to both Chapter 4 and the applicable chapter for each particular fire door assembly.

Changes in Chapter 4 General Requirements include new:

Additionally, several other changes occur in this chapter.

Provisions for Job Site Preparations

Changes in Section 4.1.3 Appurtenances include reordering its existing content and adding new requirements. The term appurtenance refers to many items (e.g., door hardware) that attach to fire door assemblies. Factories prepare doors and door frames for hardware items that require mortised cutouts and reinforcements. This type of work is made according to “…the manufacturer’s inspection service procedure and under label service” (see 4.1.3.1). In other words, only the factories or their authorized (licensed) distributors prepare doors and door frames for hardware in their shops. Authorized distributors subscribe to periodic inspection services from a nationally recognized testing lab (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories and Intertek/Warnock Hersey). During installation, installers in the field drill holes in the doors and frames for surface-mounted hardware. Section 4.1.3 lists the preparations made by the factories and the installers. Since NFPA 80 limits work in the field to drilling round holes during installation (see 4.1.3.2.1), all other work is done by the factories or authorized distributors.

No changes occur in paragraph 4.1.3.1. Work that is expressly allowed by installers is in paragraph 4.1.3.2*, which is now in list format for improved readability; there were no technical changes.

“4.1.3.2* The following job site preparations shall be permitted:

Follow the asterisk to paragraph A.4.1.3.2 in Annex A, which is new; it explains undercutting of wood and composite doors. The term undercutting refers to the practice of removing a portion of the door leaf, across its width and parallel to the bottom edge, to reduce its height. Undercutting doors increases the clearance dimension between the bottom of the door and finished floor. NFPA 80 limits the maximum clearance under a door to ¾ in. (see 4.8.4.2). When the clearance under the door leaf is already ¾ in., undercutting the door is not allowed. Sometimes clearance under the door is less than ¾ in. and undercutting of the door might be necessary for it to swing easily. Taking too much material off the bottom of the door structurally weakens it and might cause it to fail in a fire. When considering undercutting wood and composite doors, verify with the door manufacturer first since undercutting some doors is not allowed. Otherwise, installers might unknowingly ruin the doors.

Note: While not expressly prohibited by NFPA 80, trimming wood and composite doors in width (e.g., planing the vertical edges) is not allowed. Nor, is trimming the top edge of wood and composite doors. 4.1.3.2(2) only allows undercutting of wood and composite doors.

Paragraph 4.1.3.2.2 now includes the phrase; “…unless otherwise permitted by 4.1.3.2.3.” New paragraph 4.1.3.2.3 recognizes that some door hardware items require round holes that are greater than 1 in. (25.4 mm) in diameter. Drilling of larger holes is allowed, as long as both the listing of the door and hardware item allow it.

New paragraphs 4.1.3.2.4 and 4.1.3.2.5 include provisions for drilling raceways in doors. A raceway is a long hole that is bored through the width of the door. Adding electrified locking functions to existing fire-rated doors is common, which requires a raceway in the doors. In fact, several years ago, Intertek developed training and certification for individuals doing this kind of work, it’s called the Perfect Raceway Program. Installers attach their drilling equipment to the hinge edge of the door and bore a hole through to the lockset cutout in the lock edge. Next, installers pass a cable consisting of stranded copper conductors (color coded). They drill another hole in the hinge reinforcement in the door frame. Through-wire hinges conceal the wiring that is passing from the wall to the door. Once completed, installers attach a supplemental label on the door.

Factories install raceways in new doors. Authorized (licensed) distributors might also install raceways in new doors. Intertek’s certified Perfect Raceway Installers install raceways in existing fire-rated doors and have been for some time. New paragraphs 4.1.3.2.4 and 4.1.3.2.5 recognize this practice in the industry and contain provisions for installing raceways in doors as part of the installation process. Let’s take a look at these new provisions:

“4.1.3.2.4 Drilling raceways for wires when performed at the job site shall be in accordance with the door manufacturer’s listing and when permitted by the laboratory with which the door is listed.

4.1.3.2.5 Where the door manufacturer’s listing does not contain provisions for drilling raceways, the raceways shall be considered field modifications in accordance with 5.1.5.1.”

Before drilling raceways in existing doors, verify the listing of the doors includes raceways. (Remember, the term listing refers to how one of the national testing laboratories recognizes that manufacturer’s products—the testing lab publishes a listing for those products.) Current manufacturers’ websites contain technical information, which might include their listings. When the listing of the door includes raceways, verify the testing laboratory whose name is shown on the label of the door permits this work.

Older doors and doors from obsolete manufacturers might not have been tested or listed with raceways. Paragraph 4.1.3.2.5 states installing raceways in these doors is a field modification and is subject to paragraph 5.1.5.1 under Field Modifications.

Information Printed on Labels

Section 4.2 Listed or Labeled Products contains a great deal of new content. Labels on fire-rated door assemblies are extremely important, especially after installation. Inspectors, building supervisors, and maintenance personnel need know which doors are fire-rated. These labels tells us who made the doors, who tested the doors, and the level of fire-protection rating of the door. Depending on the type of fire door, the label might contain more information such as latch throw, fire exit hardware, degree of temperature rise, and smoke door (the so-called S-label) compliance.

Uniform fire door labels do not exist. Each testing laboratory issues its version of fire door labels, and they allow certain factories to print their own versions of the labels. Labels might be printed on thin metal plates or Mylar-type materials. Some labels contain very little information, making them specific to only a few fire doors. Other labels contain too much information, to the point where it is difficult for people in the field to assess the door correctly. Labels come in several colors (e.g., black, red, green, blue, and plain metallic). Examples of some fire door and door frame labels are shown below. To see more types of fire door labels, use your favorite Internet search engine and click on “view images.”

Previous editions of NFPA 80 didn’t specify what information needed to be printed on the fire door labels. The newly expanded Section 4.2 specifies the minimum information that is needed on fire door labels. It’s excerpted here for your convenience:

“4.2.1.1 At a minimum, the label for fire doors shall contain the following information:

Note: Follow the asterisk on item (7) to paragraph A.4.2.1.1(7) in Annex A.

“4.2.1.2 For Swinging doors provided with builders hardware, the minimum latch throw shall also be shown. (See 4.3.3.)”

Fire door labels on swinging doors list the minimum latch throw (sometimes called projection) for single doors and pairs of doors (see Fig. 1). In most cases, single doors require ½ in. latch throw and pairs of doors require ⅝ in. or ¾ in. latch throw. Latch bolt throw is important because it ensures latching hardware engages the strike plates sufficiently, such that the doors will remain closed in a fire. Where the operational clearance dimensions between the doors and door frames or between meeting stiles of pairs of doors are greater than that allowed by NFPA, latch bolt engagement in the strike plates in reduced. For example, wood fire doors are allowed up to ⅛ in. clearance between the door and door frame. Latch bolts with ½ in. throw (projection) project about ⅜ in. into the strike plate and will securely hold the doors closed in a fire. When the clearance between the door and frame is greater, the projection of the latch bolts into the strike plates is reduced. These doors are likely to fail in a fire.

Another item that is listed on some fire door labels is fire exit hardware. When fire exit hardware devices are used, the fire door label needs to state “Fire Door to be Equipped with Fire Exit Hardware”—which is stated in 4.3.3. Some hollow metal door companies print their fire door labels with the minimum latch throw dimensions and include the statement “Fire Door to be Equipped with Fire Exit Hardware” (see Fig. 2).

“4.2.1.3 Where applicable, a statement that no hose stream test was conducted shall be provided.”

In the case of 20-minute (1/3-hour) rated fire doors, many of these doors are not required to pass the hose stream test after passing the furnace test. NFPA 80’s labeling requirements require the fire door labels attached to these doors to include a statement that the doors were not subjected to the hose stream test (see Fig. 3).

Starting with paragraph 4.2.1.4, NFPA 80 lists the information needed for labels attached to fire door frames. Unlike the labels for fire doors, the labels for door frames do not include hardware requirements like latch throw and fire exit hardware. Nor, are they rated for temperature transmission rise.

“4.2.1.4 The label for fire door frames shall contain the following information:

4.2.1.4.1 Fire door frames rated at 3 hours when installed with masonry anchors in masonry walls or rated at 1 ½ hours when provided with wood stud or steel stud anchors and installed in gypsum board walls shall not be required to be provided with a fire protection rating.

4.2.1.4.2 In lieu of 4.2.1.4.1, fire door frames shall be marked with the label or embossment of the third-party certification agency and the manufacturer’s name or a code that can be traced back to the manufacturer.

4.2.1.4.3 Where applicable, a statement that no hose stream test was conducted shall be provided.”

NFPA 80’s requirements for fire door frame labels follows the long-standing industry practice. Embossed labels are stamped into most fire-rated hollow metal door frames; some have metal labels. Aluminum, pressed steel, and wood fire door frames have metal or Mylar-like labels.

Frame labels for side light and transom light door frames might include the hourly rating of the frame, which matches the fire-protection rating of the door leaves (see Fig. 4). Most fire-rated side light and transom door frames are rated for 45-minutes (¾-hour) or less (see Fig. 5). Fire resistance-rated side light or transom light door frames are used where the fire ratings greater than 45-minutes are needed. These types of side light and transom light door frames are tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263 standards, rather than NFPA 252, UL 10B, or UL 10C and require fire resistance-rated glazing materials. In these cases, the labels state the fire resistance rating, not the fire protection rating of the door frame.

Frame labels for side panel and transom panel door frames might include the hourly rating of the frame. Depending on the application, side panel and transom panel door frames are fire protection-rated for up to 3 hours.

Paragraph 4.2.1.5 covers the minimum information that needs to be printed on fire window labels. Hollow metal fire windows (a.k.a. borrowed lights) are common. Fire windows formed by other materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, pressed-steel, steel, and wood composite materials are also used. (Fire windows are covered in NFPA 80, Chapter 17 Fire Windows.)

“4.2.1.5 At a minimum, the label for fire window frames shall contain the following information:

Oversized fire doors cannot bear the standard fire door labels because they are too large to be tested. NFPA 80 and the model building codes allow the use of oversized fire doors, as long as they are labeled (or a certification of construction is on file), with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) approval. Since the doors are too large to be tested, factories build the doors using the same materials, processes, and techniques as their fire-tested products. Engineering evaluation by third-party certification agencies (e.g., UL, Intertek/Warnock Hersey, and FM) determines the oversized fire doors meet the construction and quality of the standard products.

Labels on oversized fire door assemblies need to comply with paragraph 4.2.1.6, it states:

“The label for oversized doors shall contain the following information:

[This article was originally posted by Keith E. Pardoe on August 19, 2015 on, PardoeConsultingLLC.com.]

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released the 2016 edition of NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives a few weeks ago. The new NFPA 80 contains several significant changes that users need to know, as well as how these changes might affect their work. You can read NFPA 80 read online (free) through their website, you can also buy it as a pdf file. Printed copies will be available soon.

NFPA used to mark changes that appeared in their new codes and standards, which made them easier to follow. They stopped marking the changes in their editions in 2014. If you want to study the changes that occur in the new NFPA 80 on your own, you can read the First and Second draft reports on NFPA's website. (Click on the Read Archived revision information link, and choose the first and second draft reports.) Not only will you see the changes, but you'll also see the committee and public input proposals from the last review cycle. You'll see how the technical committee resolved the proposals and their reasons for accepting or declining proposed changes. It takes time and practice to learn your way around NFPA's online code and standard development system. It helps you better understand how these publications evolve.

This article is the first in a series of articles that discuss changes in the new NFPA 80. You will find it helpful to have a copy of NFPA 80 to refer to as you read these articles. If these articles are your introduction to NFPA 80, you might have some difficulty following their context. NFPA publishes a handbook for NFPA 80, which you can use to learn more about it; the 2016 handbook will be available by the end year. Meanwhile, you can buy the 2013 handbook.

Make notes and highlights in your copy of NFPA 80 to help you later when you need to look up something.

Tip: Before highlighting your copy of NFPA 80 (or any reference book), think about how the marked up content might appear. Using a single color pen or marker changes the color of the page when highlighting a large area of text and might not be useful to you later on. Consider using different color markers, and only highlight the paragraph number or keywords and phrases that draw your attention. Write notes in the margins, especially when you might need to refer to related provisions and requirements in other sections or chapters. In other words, make your copy of NFPA 80 yours. Make it work for you.

Here are a few of the changes in NFPA 80:

This series of articles covers all of these changes, and more.

Before we go any further, it is worth pointing out how NFPA publications use asterisks (*). An asterisk that follows a section or paragraph number tells you there are additional comments in Annex A Explanatory Material. Annex A's comments provide users of these publications with background information and context. As you study NFPA 80, read Annex A's comments whenever you see passages marked with an asterisk; it is worth the time.

For simplicity's sake, we'll present the changes in the order they appear in NFPA 80; starting with Chapter 1 General and working our way through each of the following chapters. Editorial changes or renumbering of sections and paragraphs are not covered in these articles.

The only change in Chapter 1 General is in paragraph 1.1.4. A reference to ANSI/UL 263, Standard of Fire Tests for Building Construction and Materials was added as an equivalent standard to ASTM E119, Standard Fire Test Methods of Building Construction and Materials. In fact, references to ANSI/UL 263 appear throughout NFPA 80 wherever refers it to ASTM E119.

Many of the changes in Chapter 2 Referenced Publications reflect the most recent publication dates of the codes and standards listed in this chapter. In other words, the list of publications is nearly the same as the list that appeared in the 2013 edition of NFPA 80, only the dates of some publications were updated. As you read NFPA 80's provisions and requirements elsewhere in the standard you will see references to the publications listed in Chapter 2. Wherever an NFPA code or standard is referenced, only its number is shown (e.g., NFPA 72, NFPA 252). References to publications from other sources (e.g., ASTM, BHMA, and UL) include their number and full title. Since the titles of these references rarely change, knowing which edition is being referenced is important. Significant changes in codes and standards sometimes occur, which might add new requirements to NFPA 80; that makes knowing their publication date important.

Several new codes and standards appear in chapter 2, they are:

NFPA 82 and NFPA 101® are listed under Section 2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections, which means that some of their provisions and requirements are extracted for use in NFPA 80. We'll see examples of how these extracted requirements are used in NFPA 80.

A couple new definitions were added in Chapter 3 Definitions. The first new definition is 3.3.58 Fire Protective Curtain Assembly. It states: "An assembly typically consisting of a fabric curtain, a bottom bar, guides, a coil, and an operating and closing system."  This definition applies to the types of assemblies covered in new Chapter 21 Fire Protective Curtain Assemblies.

New definition 3.3.127 Threshold states: "A builders hardware component that is installed beneath a closed door."  The terms threshold and sill are sometimes used interchangeably in the field, but in the context of NFPA 80 (and the building codes) each term has particular application. Hence, the need to add a formal definition of the term threshold.

Thresholds are one of many builders hardware components that can be used on fire-rated door assemblies. There are no code requirements that require thresholds on fire-rated door assemblies. Thresholds can be installed under a fire-rated door, on top of non-combustible sills, to seal the gap under the doors. Where thresholds are part of a listed assembly (e.g., 20-minute prehung insulated steel door units), they are required by the assembly's listing.

Additionally, the definition for 3.3.111 Sill was revised to clarify the difference between sills and thresholds. The new definition states: "A structural component of the building that forms the bottom part over which a door closes."

In buildings that have combustible floor construction (e.g., wood floor joists), sills prevent wood floor joists from extending under door openings. In other words, sills are part of the construction that directly supports door openings in the walls above. Building codes require non-combustible sills to be constructed under fire-rated door openings. Sills prevent a fire on one side of a fire-rated door assembly from spreading under the door opening. Even when the flooring system burns away completely, the door assembly remains in place because the sill protects the area under the door assembly.

A reference to ANSI/UL 263 was added to definition 3.3.61 Fire Resistance Rating as an alternative to the test procedures of ASTM E119.

Lastly, the definition 3.3.93 Power-Operated Fire Doors was modified to include hydraulically operated doors, it states: "Doors that normally are opened and closed electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically."

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Next Up: Changes in NFPA 80's Chapter 4 General Requirements.