National Fire Protection Association, the world's leading advocate of fire prevention and the authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
NFPA-80, Chapter 5 states, "Fire door assemblies should be inspected and tested not less than annually, and a written record of the inspection should be signed and kept for inspection by the AHJ." (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
NFPA-80 requires inspections to be carried out by professional individuals with an understanding of fire rated door assemblies.
NFPA-80 adherence differs from your Fire Life Safety System, it deals strictly with proper function and compliance of all swinging fire doors and their frames, not just those attached to the Fire Life Safety System.
A common misconception is that a Fire Life Safety Inspection surveys all Fire Doors, when in fact it only involves doors connected to the Fire Life Safety System.
Fire Doors are labeled. These labels must be legible and indicate the specific properties and ratings.
Fire Doors are tested and must withstand a test fire for the prescribed time period of the rating.
Annual Fire Door inspections are not expensive and may lead to reduced insurance premiums.
Most of the Hardware such as hinges, locks, and vision lights and glass are special and rated for use in fire doors.