Rolling Fire Door Repair & Testing in Cedar Rapids, IA
For rolling fire door repair and testing in Cedar Rapids, IA, call (385) 325-7138 about a fire door that's due for inspection, failed its drop test, won't reset, or was damaged. This covers labeled rolling fire doors and fire shutters at warehouses, plants and other commercial buildings. Tell us how many doors and what you need.
Call to describe the problem—if the door is stuck open or the dock is down, say so first.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Facts checked September 23, 2026 · Rolling fire doors only—not swinging fire doors.
What counts as a rolling fire door?
A rolling fire door is a coiling steel door built and labeled to close by itself during a fire. It's held open in normal use and drops shut when a heat-sensitive link melts or a fire alarm signals it. Swinging walk-through fire doors aren't covered here.
| Door | How to tell, from a safe spot | Covered here? |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling fire door | Fire label on the hood or side guide; a release device or fusible link above the opening | Yes |
| Fire-rated rolling counter door or shutter | Small coiling door with a fire label over a counter or pass-through | Yes |
| Rolling fire or smoke curtain | Fabric curtain assembly in a wall or ceiling | Ask on the call |
| Swinging fire door | Hinged walk-through door with a closer | No—a door hardware company handles these |
| Ordinary roll-up door | No fire label | Commercial roll-up door repair |
A fusible link is a small metal link that holds the door open and melts at a set temperature, letting the door close.
What happens in an inspection and drop test?
A drop test is when a trained technician releases a rolling fire door so it closes on its own, the way it would in a fire. The door industry group DASMA says the door should be looked over first, then dropped twice: once to check that it closes fully, and again to check that it was reset correctly. DASMA also says the average closing speed must be between 6 and 24 inches per second. For the broader requirements, see Uptime's fire door drop test reference.
| Step | What happens | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection | The technician checks guides, curtain, hood, release devices and labels | Catches problems before the door is dropped |
| First drop | The door is released and closes by itself to the floor | Confirms it closes all the way |
| Reset and second drop | The door is reset, then dropped again | Confirms the reset was done right |
| Written record | The results are written down | A record you keep for the fire authority |
Source: DASMA Technical Data Sheet #271. DASMA also says drop tests, resets and repairs should be done by a trained technician who knows that type of door.
How often?
NFPA staff have written that NFPA 80, the fire door standard, calls for inspection and operational testing when a fire door is installed, every year after that, and after repairs (News from NFPA). Which edition applies to your building is a question for the fire authority.
Which fire code applies in Cedar Rapids?
Inside Cedar Rapids, the City lists the 2021 International Fire Code with local amendments as its fire code, and the Fire Marshal's Office handles fire-code questions. Outside the city, ask the local fire department which code it enforces. The provider confirms what inspection records your authority expects.
| Where the building is | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids Fire Marshal's Office, 713 1st Avenue SE, 319-286-5166 |
| Marion, Hiawatha, Fairfax or another town | That city's fire department |
| Any location | The provider, about test scope and the records it will leave you |
The City's adopted code list is on its codes page. We checked it on September 23, 2026. The City's building code moved to the 2024 edition in March 2026, but its fire code listing is still the 2021 edition—so don't assume the two match.
Call to set up a test or talk through a failed door.
Failed the test? What repair involves
A door that fails should be repaired and then tested again. DASMA's guidance says repair parts must come from the door's original maker, and the door must be tested after repairs to make sure it still closes on its own.
DASMA's repair guidance also calls for two successful drop tests in a row after a repair, and says a door whose original-maker parts can't be had must be replaced as a whole. That's why "can you still get parts for this door?" is one of the first questions to ask.
Common areas a provider may look at: the release device and fusible links, the part that controls closing speed, the guides, the curtain, and the connection to the fire alarm. No one should adjust these without training on that door.
Don't prop, block or rehang a fire door
- Keep the opening clear so the door can close all the way.
- Don't wedge, chain, tie or block the door open.
- Don't store anything under the curtain or in its path.
- Don't reset a dropped door yourself unless your staff is trained on that door.
- Report damage right away.
If the door is down and blocking an opening you need, say so on the call and follow your facility's life-safety process.
What's covered and what isn't
Covered: labeled rolling fire doors, fire-rated rolling counter doors and shutters at warehouses, plants, offices and other commercial buildings—inspection, drop testing, reset, repair and the written record.
Not covered: swinging fire doors and their hardware; fire alarm and sprinkler systems (their own contractors); ordinary roll-ups without a fire rating (see the roll-up page); residential doors; parts-only orders.
What happens when you call?
- Call (385) 325-7138. Give the address, how many fire doors, and whether it's a scheduled test, a failed test or damage.
- The request may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company.
- That company confirms whether it tests and repairs that type of door, the address, when it can come, what it charges, and its own terms. You decide whether to go ahead.
If you reach voicemail, leave the facility address, the door or dock number if known, what's wrong, and a callback number.
Uptime Dock & Door is an independent commercial service-request website for loading-dock and commercial door repair. Read how it works or about Uptime.
Example of what to say: "We need the drop test on two rolling fire doors at our Cedar Rapids plant, and I can give you the address."
You don't need the last test report to call. If you have it, keep it handy.
You can start with the address and how many doors.
What does fire door testing or repair cost?
We can't quote a fire door test or repair from a web page. The price depends on how many doors, their condition, access, and what fails. Here's what to ask before you authorize work.
DASMA's guidance tells building owners to set up a contract for the inspection and drop test that says parts may fail during the test through no fault of the technician—and that those parts aren't part of the test price. So ask up front how that's handled.
| What drives the price | Why it changes the cost | Ask the provider |
|---|---|---|
| Number of doors | Tests are usually per door | "What's the price per door?" |
| Access | Lifts, racking or product in the curtain's path | "Do you need the area cleared?" |
| Parts that fail during the test | Not always in the test price | "What happens if a part fails during the test?" |
| Repairs and original-maker parts | Parts must come from the door's maker | "Can you still get parts for this door?" |
| Retest after repair | Two good drops are needed after a repair | "Is the retest included?" |
| Coordination with the alarm company | Some doors release through the fire alarm | "Do we need our alarm company there?" |
| Written record | You keep it for the fire authority | "What will the report include?" |
Call to ask what a test visit includes.
Local checks for fire door work
| What to check | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa contractor registration | DIAL contractor registration | Required once a contractor earns $2,000 or more a year from construction |
| Training on this type of door | Ask the provider | DASMA calls for trained technicians |
| Fire code and records in Cedar Rapids | Fire Marshal's Office, 319-286-5166 | The City's fire code is the 2021 IFC with local amendments |
| Replacing a fire door | Permit office map | Replacement is building work, and the office depends on the address |
The provider and the issuing office confirm what applies. We checked these sources on September 23, 2026.
Where you can call from
Buildings in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Fairfax and across Linn, Benton and Jones counties can call. The independent provider confirms the address and availability. See the Cedar Rapids service area. For your other doors, see commercial garage door maintenance.
Rolling fire door questions
How often do rolling fire doors need testing?
NFPA staff describe the fire door standard as calling for testing at installation, every year after, and after repairs. Ask the Fire Marshal's Office which schedule it enforces for your building.
Who can do the drop test?
DASMA's guidance calls for a technician trained on that type of door.
Our door failed. Can we keep using the opening?
Follow your facility's life-safety process and ask your fire authority. Call to arrange the repair and the retest.
Do you test swinging fire doors?
No. This page covers rolling fire doors and fire shutters only.
Keep the fire doors ready
Call about rolling fire door inspection, testing or repair anywhere in the Cedar Rapids area. For other doors and the dock, see Cedar Rapids loading dock and dock door repair. The national rolling-steel door repair page covers rolling doors in general.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Sources
Checked September 23, 2026 unless noted.
- DASMA, Technical Data Sheet #271: Rolling Steel Fire Doors—Drop Testing and Annual Follow-Up
- DASMA, Technical Data Sheet #2502, on repair and retesting of rolling fire doors (checked September 19, 2026)
- Facility Executive, News from NFPA: Inspection and Testing of Fire Doors in Facilities
- City of Cedar Rapids, Adopted codes and Fire Marshal's Office
- Iowa DIAL, Contractor Registration