scope:

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 within, into, or out of buildings. The fire performance evaluation of these assemblies is tested in accordance with NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials, for horizontal access doors; NFPA 252, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies, for fire doors and shutters; and NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies, for fire windows and glass block.

It is not the intent of this standard to establish the degree of protection required or to constitute the approval of any product. These are determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

This standard is based on product and engineering practices recognized as acceptable at the date of issue. Therefore, the provisions of this standard are not intended to be applied retroactively to installations that were in compliance at the time of installation.

Incinerator doors, record room doors, and vault doors are not covered in this standard. For requirements on their installation, see NFPA 82, Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment, and NFPA 232, Standard for the Protection of Records.

For requirements on the installation of hoistway doors for elevators and dumbwaiters, see the applicable sections of ASME/ANSI A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, or CAN 3-B44, Safety Code for Elevators. Requirements for horizontally sliding, vertically sliding, and swinging doors as used in this standard do not apply to hoistway doors for elevators and dumbwaiters.

This standard does not cover fire-resistant glazing materials and horizontally sliding accordion or folding assemblies fabricated for use as walls and tested as wall assemblies in accordance with NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials. Consult the authority having jurisdiction for the design and installation of such materials and assemblies.