Rolling Fire Door Inspection, Drop Testing & Repair in Tampa Bay, FL
For rolling fire door repair and drop testing in Tampa Bay, FL, call (385) 325-7138 about a fire-rated rolling door that didn't close on its test, closed and won't reset, is damaged, or is due for its yearly inspection. Say whether the door is out of use and whether you have an inspection report.
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.
Rolling fire doors and fire shutters—not swinging fire doors. Facts checked: September 23, 2026.
Is it a rolling fire door?
A rolling fire door is a fire-rated coiling door that stays open during normal use and closes by itself when its release device trips, for example from heat or a fire alarm signal. It has a fire label on the door or frame. It's not just any metal roll-up door.
Use labels, records or reports you already have. Don't walk up to a damaged door to look for a label.
| What you have | Why it matters | What to mention | Where it's covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| A rolling door with a fire label | It's a rated assembly with its own rules | The location and any report | This page |
| A rolling counter shutter with a fire label | Same rules, smaller door | Where it is, such as a kitchen or service counter | This page |
| An inspection or test report naming the door | It tells the provider what was found | The finding in the report | This page |
| A rolling door with no known rating | Don't assume it's rated | What you see | Commercial roll-up door repair |
| A swinging fire door with hinges | A different door and a different trade | — | Not covered; call a fire door inspection or door-hardware company |
Nameplates on rolling fire doors include Overhead Door (its FireKing fire-rated rolling service and counter doors) and CornellCookson. These are examples to help you describe the door. They're not a list of brands any provider is authorized for.
How often should a rolling fire door be inspected and drop-tested?
DASMA, the door industry's trade group, says a rolling steel fire door should be inspected and drop-tested at least once a year by a trained rolling steel fire door technician. DASMA also says inspection records should be kept at least three years. Your local fire official decides what your building has to show.
A drop test means letting the door close on its own the way it would in a fire, then checking that it closed all the way and was reset correctly.
What DASMA's data sheets say, in plain words:
- Yearly. "The door shall be inspected and drop-tested not less than annually by a Trained Rolling Steel Fire Door Systems Technician" (DASMA TDS 271, Rev. 6/25).
- Closing speed. DASMA notes that NFPA 80, the fire door standard, limits the average closing speed to between 6 and 24 inches per second.
- At installation. The automatic closing is tested when the door is installed.
- A service contract. DASMA recommends facility managers set up a contract with a rolling door service provider for an annual, or more frequent, inspection and drop test.
- Records. "Periodic inspections must be performed at least annually and the record kept for a minimum of three years" (DASMA TDS 299).
These are the industry group's guidance. The local fire official and the door's manufacturer confirm what applies to your building.
Inspection, test, repair or replacement?
These are four different jobs. Say which one you need, and ask the provider what its written scope and records will cover.
| Your situation | What to ask about | A record that helps | What isn't settled yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| The yearly check is due | The inspection and drop test | Your list of fire doors | Which doors are on the list |
| A report says the door failed | The finding, the repair and the retest | The report | The cause, until someone looks |
| The curtain or guides are damaged | An assessment and a repair plan | Anything noting when it happened | Whether the rating is intact |
| The release or controls act up | An assessment of the release and any links to the alarm | Past inspection records | Whether a fire alarm contractor is also needed |
| Someone recommends a new door | The rated replacement, approvals and paperwork | Drawings or old reports | Whether a like-for-like rated door is available |
Know which of these you need? Call and say so.
Failed the test, or closed and won't reset?
Report what you can see or what the report says. Keep people clear, don't force the door, and follow your facility's process for the opening and for fire safety. Don't try to reset the release, re-arm the door, or trip it again to test it.
| What you know | How to say it on the call | What a qualified provider may look at |
|---|---|---|
| It didn't close all the way on its test | "It stopped short on the drop test." | The curtain, guides, closing mechanism and release |
| It closed and won't go back up | "It closed and won't reset." | The release device and reset |
| The curtain or slats are damaged | "The curtain is bent." | The curtain and guides |
| The guides are bent | "A guide got hit." | The guides and their mounting |
| The report lists a problem | "Our report says…" and read the finding | The item in the report |
| Staff report a release or control fault | "The release or control isn't working right." | The release, controls and links to the alarm |
If there's a fire or any immediate danger, use your building's emergency procedure first. This page is about repairs and testing, not emergencies.
Example of what to say: "The rolling fire door by our stockroom in Clearwater didn't close all the way during this year's test."
Say whether it failed a test or closed on its own.
Repairs: original parts and a retest
DASMA's repair procedure for rolling fire doors says two things plainly: "All fire doors that are repaired shall be drop tested to ensure the repairs have been completed properly," and "All fire doors shall be repaired with parts obtained from the original manufacturer of the fire door needing repair" (DASMA TDS 257).
So when you get a repair quote, ask:
- Will you use parts from the door's original manufacturer?
- Will you drop-test after the repair?
- Will I get a written record of the repair and the test?
Parts availability matters. If original-manufacturer parts aren't available for an older door, ask the provider what that means for repair versus replacement.
Florida's fire code and your fire official
Florida's Fire Prevention Code, 8th Edition, took effect December 31, 2023. It's based on the 2021 editions of NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 with Florida changes, and the State Fire Marshal says it's enforced by the local fire official in each county, city and special fire district. Ask your fire official what inspection record it expects for your building.
- The state code. The State Fire Marshal's Florida Fire Prevention Code page says: "This complex set of fire code provisions are enforced by the local fire official within each county, municipality, and special fire district in the state." It also says local amendments are enforceable only by the local jurisdiction.
- Your fire official. Which office that is depends on whether the building is inside a city or in an unincorporated area. The fire official for your address confirms which requirements and records apply.
- Replacing a rated door. A new rated door is also a building project. The permit office depends on the address; see the list on the Tampa Bay homepage.
- License. Look up any state license on the DBPR License Search. Ask the provider about its technicians' training for rolling fire doors.
- Alarm links. If the door is tied to the fire alarm, that connection may involve another trade. Ask who handles it.
What should the written scope and records include?
A rolling fire door quote should say whether it covers the inspection, the repairs, the drop test and the paperwork. Ask what happens if the first visit finds more than the agreed work.
We can't price a fire door test or repair from a web page. The price depends on how many doors you have, their condition, the parts and the access. Here's what to ask before you authorize work.
| Item in the proposal | Ask before you approve | Record to request |
|---|---|---|
| Which doors are included | "Which doors, by location?" | A door-by-door list |
| Inspection and drop test | "What does the test include?" | Test results for each door |
| Technician training | "What training do your technicians have for rolling fire doors?" | Name of the technician, if they'll provide it |
| Repair parts | "Original-manufacturer parts?" | The parts used |
| Retest after repair | "Will you drop-test after the repair?" | The retest result |
| Other trades | "Does the alarm connection need another company?" | Who is responsible for what |
| Access | "When can you test without disrupting us?" | The agreed time window |
| Findings | "How will you report problems you find?" | A written list of findings |
| Replacement | "What approvals would a new rated door need?" | The proposal and its approval documents |
Want a written scope for your fire doors? Call and describe what you need.
What's covered—and what isn't
Covered: rolling fire doors, fire shutters and rated counter shutters at commercial buildings: yearly inspection and drop testing, failed-test follow-up, doors that closed and won't reset, and damage repair.
Not covered:
- Swinging hollow-metal fire doors and their hardware. Call a fire door inspection or door-hardware company.
- Fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Call a fire alarm or sprinkler contractor.
- Whole-building fire inspections or certifications.
- Home garage doors, boat docks, truck cargo doors and parts-only orders.
Ordinary rolling doors without a fire rating are on the roll-up door page.
What happens when you call?
You call (385) 325-7138 and describe the fire door and why you're calling. The request may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company, which confirms whether it can handle the door, the scope, the price and the schedule.
- Call and describe it. Facility location, where the door is, and whether it's damage, a failed report or a yearly test.
- The request may be shared. It may go to an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company that may be able to serve your facility.
- The provider confirms. That company confirms availability, scope, pricing and service terms. You decide whether to authorize work.
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. See how it works and about Uptime.
Helpful, but not required: your fire door list, the latest inspection report, past repairs, and who at the facility handles fire safety.
Where in Tampa Bay
Call about rated rolling doors at commercial facilities across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties. The independent provider confirms the facility address and its own availability.
That includes warehouses and plants in Tampa, Plant City and Brandon; St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Pinellas Park; and Pasco and Hernando facilities. See the Tampa Bay service area. Uptime's research on fire door drop test requirements goes deeper. For a national look at rolling doors in general, see commercial roll-up & rolling-steel door repair.
Questions about rolling fire doors in Tampa Bay
How often does a rolling fire door need a drop test?
DASMA's data sheet says at least once a year, by a trained rolling steel fire door technician. Your local fire official and the door's manufacturer confirm what applies to your building.
Who can do the drop test?
DASMA's guidance calls for a trained rolling steel fire door technician. Ask the provider about its technicians' training for rolling fire doors.
Can I call with a failed inspection report?
Yes. Say where the door is and read the finding on the call. The provider decides what to check and what the repair and retest involve.
Does repairing the curtain finish the fire door work?
Not always. DASMA's repair procedure calls for a drop test after a repair, with parts from the original manufacturer. Ask what testing and records the repair includes.
Does every metal roll-up door have a fire rating?
No. A fire-rated door has a label and a release device. Don't guess from how it looks.
Rolling fire door failed its test in Tampa Bay?
Call (385) 325-7138 and say where the door is and whether it's damage, a failed report or a yearly test.
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.
Sources
All checked September 23, 2026.
- DASMA: TDS 271, Rev. 6/25; TDS 299, Rev. 4/13/23; TDS 257, Rev. 06/20
- State Fire Marshal, Florida Fire Prevention Code
- Manufacturer pages: Overhead Door fire-rated doors; CornellCookson rolling fire doors
- Florida DBPR License Search