Field Labeling/Evaluation of Openings FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A TEST LABORATORY Presenter: Drew Pearson, Test Division Manager/President Guardian Fire Testing Laboratories, Inc. February 20, 2019
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings UNDERWRITER’S LABORATORY DEFINES FIELD LABELING AS: A field evaluation is a process whereby products that do not have a certification acceptable to the AHJ- Authority Having Jurisdiction, owner or other regulatory body can be evaluated to the applicable product safety standard(s) for the application and location where the product is being utilized. The process includes construction inspection for use of components, assembly and limited nondestructive testing to complete the assessment. UL provides a list of the most commonly field-evaluated products which includes fire doors and frames.
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings Reasons or possible situations for Field Labeling of Fire Doors and Frames Fire doors and frames in the field that are missing labels fall into 6 categories: The manufacturer neglected to put a label on the door/frame or applied wrong label The fire door/frame had a label when it was installed, but now is missing. The fire door/frame never had a label, but it is constructed to a fire rated door/frame.
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings Reasons or possible situations for Field Labeling of Fire Doors and Frames The fire door/frame has an existing label located in an inconspicuous location or an embossed label that has been painted over or is illegible. Steel door frames without labels may be examined to determine if they comply with the frame criteria of UL 63 – Fire Door Frame Construction. When a manufacturer has shipped fire doors/frames to the field missing labels or miss labeled doors/frames, the manufacturer must provide complete documentation for the field labeling/evaluation and report. If a fire door has an existing label located at an inconspicuous location such as the top rail and the AHJ requires a label on the hinge-side at eye level, then Guardian will re- label the door on the hinge stile and leave the existing label where it is.
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings Field Labeling Information on a Test Lab Label Name of Test Lab List of Test Standard(s) Name of Test Lab Client (when requested by manufacturer) ISO 17025 Timed fire rating – 20, 45, 60, 90, 180, or “up to” timed fire rating Additional information such as, positive pressure “S box”, smoke barrier, temperature rise, transom, borrowed lite, side lite to name a few
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings Metal or Mylar Labels: Advantage of using mylar labels are: easier application and less labor and cost to apply Field Evaluation Criteria includes: Design, Construction and Material(s) SPECIALTY DOOR/ FRAME LABELING OF OVERSIZED AND CUSTOM OPENINGS: SDL- Specialty Door Labeling Program
Field Labeling / Evaluation of Openings FIELD TECHNICAL TRAINING INCLUDES: Once per year visit to perform and witness a test on a fire door/frame assembly Updates on fire rated opening assembly components such as seals, closers, astragals and other hardware New product education Updates on code compliance
Drew Pearson, Test Division Manager/President THANK YOU Drew Pearson, Test Division Manager/President www.firetesting.com 888-680-7974 info@guardiantestlabs.com