Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

What additional feature is required for fire doors aside from labels and frames?

1. Self-closures and latching devices

2. Color coding for visibility

3. Remote control operation

4. Magnetic locks

The correct answer is: Self-closures and latching devices

Fire doors are critical components in ensuring the safety of a building by helping to prevent the spread of smoke and fire. While labels and frames are essential for identifying and providing structural integrity to fire doors, the requirement for self-closures and latching devices is a crucial safety feature that significantly enhances their effectiveness. Self-closures ensure that the door will automatically close after being opened, preventing any gaps that might allow smoke or fire to pass through. This function is vital in maintaining the integrity of fire-rated walls. Latching devices are equally important, as they ensure that the door remains securely closed when not in use, further contributing to the containment of smoke or flames. Together, these mechanisms work to create a reliable barrier against potential fire hazards. In contrast, while color coding, remote control operation, and magnetic locks may have their applications in management and convenience within buildings, they do not meet the fundamental safety requirements that fire doors must fulfill to protect occupants and property in the event of a fire. Thus, the emphasis on self-closures and latching devices aligns directly with the core purpose of fire doors in life safety codes and regulations.