How to Install Smoke Seals on a Fire Door

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Check the requirements for the door you're preparing to install the seal on.

   Specific LSCs (life safety codes) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) codes require smoke seals on fire rated doors.
   
   Locations where fire rated doors are installed depend on these codes and are reflected in the architect's Door Schedule and Hardware Schedule.
   
   Here are examples of typical fire-rated door locations:
   Stairwells in multistory commercial or public buildings Mechanical or electrical equipment rooms Sleeping quarters egress doors in dormitories or motels with interior corridor accesses; and Other areas where fire walls are required per plans and specifications.
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   Step 2: Select the smoke seal for the door you're working on.

   For projects with a consolidated hardware schedule, individual door openings may be labelled on the smoke seal packaging furnished by the hardware supplier. , There should be specific instructions for the product you're using; read them before proceeding, since products may vary from one manufacturer to another. ,, Most gasket type smoke seals are self-adhesive, so removing any dust, oil, or other material from the door jamb's surface is essential for proper adhesion. , The angle should be close to 45 degrees, but doesn't have to be perfect, since the material is soft and flexible. ,,,,,, Note they are flexible enough to meet tightly, even though the cut isn't perfect.]]Press this angled cut onto the jamb surface making sure it fits the opposite angle of the header seal installed previously. ,,, Note that this seal attaches to the door's frame on the frame adjacent to the doorstop, rather than on the stop as in previous steps.
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   Step 3: Open the package the smoke seal is in.

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   Step 4: Remove the mutes (door silencers) from your door jamb if it is equipped with them.

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   Step 5: Clean the surfaces where the smoke seal will be attached.

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   Step 6: Make a diagonal cut with the bulb edge of the smoke seal at the long end using a utility knife.

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   Step 7: Peel the protective tape off the smoke seal

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   Step 8: beginning at the end where you've cut the angle in the previous step.

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   Step 9: Begin at the top of the jamb on the strike side (the side where the lock is located)

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    Step 10: pressing the seal against the edge of the frame about 1/16 of an inch (1.58mm) from the door jamb.

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    Step 11: Continue across the head of the jamb to the butt (hinge) side

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    Step 12: being sure to press the seal tightly to the jamb material

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    Step 13: and avoiding stretching it (pulling on it) as you go.

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    Step 14: Cut the material with a utility knife when you've pressed it into the corner on the butt side.

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    Step 15: Cut a complementary angle on the remaining smoke seal that will fit the angle you began with at the top of the strike side of the jamb.

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    Step 16: side corner of the jamb.

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    Step 17: Press the smoke seal onto the stop

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    Step 18: moving down the strike side of the door

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    Step 19: making sure you keep it slightly off the doorstop so the bulb portion of the gasket has room to expand when it's compressed by the door when it's closed.

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    Step 20: Cut this section of gasket as close to the threshold or floor at the bottom of the door when you have reached it.

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    Step 21: Begin at the top of the door jamb on the butt side

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    Step 22: cutting the smoke seal square and overlapping the head seal slightly.

Detailed Guide

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