In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about fire door smoke detectors.
Q: The life safety consultant doing our annual inspection keeps saying that I need to have individual smoke detectors for my corridor fire-rated doors. The corridors on both sides of these doors are completely protected with smoke detectors, but he says, regardless, that area smoke detectors are required next to the doors. Is this correct?
A: No, I don’t believe what the consultant is telling you is correct. Section 2-10.6 of NFPA 72 (1999) allows for either area smoke detectors or complete-corridor smoke detector protection to activate the release of a hold-open on a door serving as a fire barrier or a smoke compartment barrier. So, with regard to the cross-corridor doors that are held open by magnets connected to the fire alarm system, you are permitted to have one of several things, including a smoke detector on either side of the door, mounted within five feet of the door.
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