Most people don't think about fire-rated openings until something goes wrong: a delayed inspection, a failed walkthrough, a last-minute change order to fix hardware that never should have been specified.
And at that point, it’s not just a delay—it’s a liability.
In Michigan, fire-rated openings are governed by the International Building Code (IBC), with additional requirements outlined in the Michigan Building Code and enforced by local authorities. But knowing what the code says and knowing how it plays out on a real job site are two very different things.
We help clients bridge that gap by making sure doors, frames, and hardware not only meet rating requirements on paper but hold up in the field under inspection.
A fire-rated opening is a complete assembly—the door, frame, hardware, glazing, and all related components—that is designed, tested, and labeled to resist the passage of fire and smoke for a specified period of time.
Most rated openings in Michigan fall under common classifications like 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on location within the building and proximity to rated walls, stairwells, or occupancy separations.
But a rated label on the door doesn’t mean the assembly is compliant. If the closer isn’t listed, or the hinges aren’t rated, or the frame has been field-modified without documentation, the rating is compromised. And that’s where we see a lot of projects go sideways.
Michigan follows the 2015 IBC with amendments, which means many projects must comply with:
It’s also worth noting that Michigan inspectors—especially in K-12, higher education, and healthcare facilities—tend to enforce these details closely. We’ve seen punchlists stall because a door closer or electric strike didn’t carry the right label.
The most common mistakes don’t come from bad intentions. They come from small oversights.
Hardware gets substituted late in the process, and no one checks the listing. A field cut is made to run a wire, but the label is voided in the process. A new access control system is installed, but no one confirms whether the electrified hardware is rated.
One misstep breaks the chain, and the opening fails inspection.
And once a rated assembly is compromised, fixing it means more than swapping out a part. It often means documenting the change, getting AHJ approval, or replacing the entire opening.
We support general contractors, architects, and facilities teams across Michigan by reviewing fire-rated openings before they go to the site. We verify ratings, confirm label compatibility, and identify potential issues before they show up on an inspection report.
And when a project hits a snag—whether it’s a failed inspection or an unexpected substitution—we help resolve it. That might mean sourcing alternate listed hardware, working with the AHJ to verify a field modification, or helping the team understand where rating is required and where it’s not.
We also have a certified Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI) on staff who can perform official inspections—whether for code compliance or simply peace of mind.
We bring clarity, documentation, and a second set of eyes that’s grounded in code and shaped by decades of field experience.
Fire-rated openings are a life safety feature. But they’re also a common source of confusion and frustration, especially when ratings are misunderstood or applied inconsistently.
If your project includes rated doors, frames, or hardware, don’t leave compliance to chance. Let’s talk early, review thoroughly, and avoid the costly fixes that show up late in the game.
S.A. Morman helps you meet Michigan code requirements, pass inspections with confidence, and keep people safe in the process.