Rolling Fire Door Repair, Inspection & Drop Testing in New Orleans, LA
For rolling fire door repair, inspection, and drop testing in New Orleans, LA, call (385) 325-7138 about a fire door that failed its test, closed on its own, won't close, or is due for its yearly check. Tell us the facility and which door.
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 24, 2026.
Is this a rolling fire door?
A rolling fire door is a steel rolling door built into a fire-rated wall. It carries a fire label and closes by itself when triggered by an alarm connection or a heat link, depending on the assembly. Ordinary roll-up doors and swinging fire doors in hallways are different.
| What you see | What it likely is | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling steel door with a fire label on the frame or hood, in a wall between building areas | Rolling fire door | This page |
| Small rolling door over a counter designed to close on a fire trigger | Counter fire door or fire shutter | This page |
| Rolling steel door with no fire label and no auto-close | Ordinary rolling door | Roll-up door repair |
| Swinging metal door in a stairwell or hallway | Hinged fire door | Not covered here |
Don't go up to a damaged or half-closed fire door to look for a label. "The rolling door by the dock that closes when the alarm goes off" is enough.
How often do rolling fire doors need testing?
The door industry group DASMA says a rolling fire door "shall be inspected and drop-tested not less than annually by a Trained Rolling Steel Fire Door Systems Technician." A drop test means the door is released and allowed to close by itself, the way it would in a fire. DASMA also says that after repairs, the door must be tested to make sure it opens and closes on its own the right way.
Source: DASMA TDS 271, "Rolling Steel Fire Doors: Periodic Inspection and Drop-Testing," rev. 6/25 (DASMA TDS 271). DASMA's repair guidance (TDS 2502) calls for two successful drop tests in a row after a repair or field change (DASMA TDS 2502). Your fire code official or insurer may have their own requirements.
How this fits Louisiana
Louisiana's State Fire Marshal reviews plans under the "NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, and the standards referenced therein," and lists NFPA 80, the fire door standard, as a code to consult for specific items (State Fire Marshal). The page doesn't say which NFPA 80 edition applies to an existing door. Ask the testing company and your fire official which edition and rules they apply. New Orleans also has a Fire Prevention Division in its fire department (NOFD Fire Prevention).
More detail: fire door drop test requirements.
What happens after a failed drop test?
A failed test means the door didn't close the way it should. The cause gets found, the door gets repaired with parts that keep its fire rating, and then it gets tested again. Keep the paperwork for your records and your fire official.
| Stage | What happens | Who does it | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Failed test written up | The tester records what went wrong | The testing technician | "Can I get the report in writing?" |
| 2. Cause found | Release device, closing speed, guides, curtain, or the alarm tie-in gets checked | A trained technician | "What caused it?" |
| 3. Repair | Parts that keep the fire rating are used | The repair company | "Are these parts approved for this door?" |
| 4. Retest | The door is drop-tested again. DASMA calls for two good tests in a row after a repair. | A trained technician | "How many drop tests will you run?" |
| 5. Records | A written report for your file | The testing company | "Will I get a report I can show the fire official?" |
Parts matter. DASMA generally requires whole-door replacement when original-maker parts aren't available. A listed retrofit fire-door operator is a narrow exception for the operator, governor, or closing device if its listing covers that door and the fire official accepts it. Ask early whether rated parts or that exception apply.
Common rolling fire door problems
| What you see | What a qualified provider may check | Why it matters | How to say it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door closed by itself with no fire | Release device, fusible link, alarm connection | Something set it off, or it's failing | "Our fire door dropped on its own." |
| Door doesn't close all the way on test | Guides, curtain, closing parts | It won't block fire | "It stopped two feet from the floor." |
| Door closes too fast or too slow | The part that controls closing speed | Too fast is a danger; too slow won't protect | "It slams down." |
| Fusible link or release damaged | Link, release, cables | The door may not close in a fire | "The link looks broken." |
| Curtain out of its guides | Guides, curtain | It can jam | "It came out of the track." |
| Fire label missing or unreadable | Label, door records | Makes it hard to prove the rating | "We can't read the label." |
| Door tied into an alarm that's faulting | Alarm tie-in, release device | The door may not get the signal | "The alarm panel shows a door fault." |
Door closed and blocking an exit or dock?
Keep people clear, and don't force a fire door open or prop it with anything. Follow your facility's process and your fire safety plan. Then call (385) 325-7138. If your call is shared with an independent repair company, that company confirms whether and when it can come.
What we take calls about — and what we don't
We take calls about: rolling fire doors, fire shutters, counter fire doors, their release devices and fusible links, repairs, yearly inspections, and drop tests. At warehouses, plants, and other commercial buildings.
We don't take calls about: swinging hollow-metal fire doors in halls and stairwells, fire alarm panel work (that's another kind of contractor), home doors, and parts-only orders.
What happens when you call
- You call (385) 325-7138 and describe the facility and the door.
- Your call may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company.
- That company confirms the address, the work, availability, pricing, scheduling, and its own work and warranty terms before you approve anything.
Example of what to say (not a script): "Our rolling fire door by the loading dock in New Orleans East failed its yearly drop test last week."
If you reach voicemail, leave the facility address, the door or dock number if known, what's wrong, and a callback number.
More on the process: How Uptime works. Who runs this site: About Uptime.
Useful to have, not required
- Your last test report, if you have it
- How many fire doors the building has
- Whether the door ties into the fire alarm
- Your fire official's or insurer's deadline, if there is one
You can call without any of this.
What does fire door repair and testing cost?
We can't quote fire door testing or repair from a web page. The price depends on how many doors, what failed, rated parts, and the retest. Here's what to ask before you authorize work.
| Factor | Why it changes the price | Ask before you approve |
|---|---|---|
| Number of doors | Testing is often priced per door | "Is there a price for all our fire doors?" |
| Door size | Bigger doors take more time | "Does size change the price?" |
| What failed | A release device costs less than a new curtain | "What part failed?" |
| Rated parts | Parts must keep the fire rating | "Are rated parts available, and how long?" |
| Alarm tie-in | May need a fire alarm contractor too | "Do we need someone else for the alarm side?" |
| Retesting | Tests after repair take time | "Is the retest included?" |
| Paperwork | A written report for your file | "Is the report included?" |
| Replacement | If parts aren't available, the door may need replacing | "What if you can't get parts?" |
Call to describe the door. Pricing comes from the independent company, not this site.
Louisiana and New Orleans rules for fire doors
| Question | What we found | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Which code does the State Fire Marshal use for plans? | NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition, and the standards it references; the 2021 International Building Code with exclusions | State Fire Marshal |
| How often are rolling fire doors tested? | DASMA: inspected and drop-tested not less than once a year | DASMA |
| Does a replacement need review? | Ask whether the job needs State Fire Marshal review and a local permit | State Fire Marshal, permit offices |
| Does the company need a state license? | Commercial projects of $50,000 or more; electrical work at $10,000 or more | LSLBC license types |
The testing company and your fire official confirm what applies to your doors.
Where we take fire door calls
We take calls about commercial buildings in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist parishes, with St. James Parish reviewed case by case, including Metairie, Kenner, and Chalmette. North Shore buildings are reviewed case by case. See the full service area.
Questions about rolling fire doors
Do rolling fire doors have to be tested every year?
DASMA says rolling fire doors shall be inspected and drop-tested at least once a year. Ask your fire official which rules apply to your building.
Can we test it ourselves?
No. Drop testing and resetting a rolling fire door is the provider's job. DASMA calls for two good drop tests in a row after a repair.
What is a drop test?
The door is released and allowed to close on its own, the way it would in a fire. The technician checks that it closes all the way and at the right speed, then resets it.
Do you take calls about swinging fire doors?
No. We take calls about rolling fire doors only.
Call about the fire door
Say which door, and what happened.
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.
See also roll-up door repair, or go back to loading dock and dock door repair in New Orleans.
Sources
All checked September 24, 2026.