A fire door that appears to be in working order may not be. The clearance may not be appropriate, the closer may not be functioning properly, or the intumescent strips may not be in good condition. None of these is visible on the surface, yet they are important.
In addition, a fire door that appears to be in perfect working condition may not be functioning as required by the standard. This is the challenge with fire doors. The most important problems are those that are difficult to identify without inspection. Regular inspection of fire doors is important.
This practical guide covers everything your customers need to know about fire door checks, what to look for, how often to check, and what to do when something is not right.
Why Regular Fire Door Checks Matter?
Fire doors tend to deteriorate over time due to normal use, environmental conditions, and defects that may not be immediately apparent. When the symptoms appear, the fire door may no longer meet the required specifications.
For responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings in England, regular fire door inspection is required under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarifies that flat entrance doors and structures must be considered within fire risk assessments.
The Fire Door Maintenance Checklist
This fire door maintenance checklist outlines the key checks your customers should perform on every fire door on their premises.
1. Check the Certification Label
To begin, look for the certification plug along the top edge of the door leaf. It may be in the form of a Q mark, BWF Certifire, or LPCB. If the certification label is missing or illegible, the door’s compliance cannot be verified without further investigation or documentation. Any door without a certification plug should be treated as unverified until further investigation or documentation confirms its compliance.
2. Check the Gaps Around the Door
The gaps should generally fall within the manufacturer’s tested tolerances — typically around 2–4mm at the head and jambs, with a larger gap permitted at the threshold depending on the certification.
Always refer to the manufacturer’s installation instructions and test evidence, as fire performance applies to the complete door assembly — not the door leaf alone.
3. Check the Intumescent Strips and Smoke Seals
Intumescent strips should be in good condition, firmly attached, and undamaged. They should not peel, crumble, or compress unevenly. If the door is located over an escape route, corridor, or stairwell, it should also be equipped with undamaged smoke seals.
4. Check the Hinges
Fire doors rated FD30 must be provided with at least 3 fire-rated hinges. These must be installed, screws must be securely tightened, and there must be no movement of the plates when the door is being opened or closed. These hinges are very crucial for how the door closes and how it sits in its frame.
5. Check the Self-Closing Device
Open the door and let it swing to different angles. The closer should pull the door smoothly and completely back to the latched position. A door that fails to pull back completely and close all the way is not doing its job. This is probably the most common problem found during a fire door safety inspection and perhaps the most frequently overlooked in our daily use of the door.
6. Check the Door Leaf and Frame for Damage
Look for any holes in the door leaf and frame. Even a door leaf and frame with several small surface holes is not safe. The holes allow heat and smoke to pass through. Inspect the door leaf and frame for cracks, splits, or holes that penetrate the surface. Standard glazing is not compliant. Any glass panels must be fire-rated and installed in accordance with the door’s certification and test evidence.
7. Check That the Door Closes Freely
Take a walk through the building and ensure that no fire doors are propped open with door stops, wedges, or any other item. If a fire door is propped open, it offers no protection. If doors are frequently propped open, consider installing a suitable electromagnetic hold-open device integrated into the fire alarm system.
How to Check a Fire Door: Quick Reference
For customers who want a quick reminder of how to check a fire door, all of the above factors should be checked as follows:
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Certification label visible and in place on the top edge of the door
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Door gaps within acceptable tolerance
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Intumescent strips and smoke seals are in good condition and not damaged
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Three fire hinges are in good condition and not worn out
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Self-closing device in good working order, and the door closes back onto the latch
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Door leaf and frame not damaged, and no non-compliant repairs made
How Often Should These Checks Be Carried Out?
For multi-occupied properties, escape route fire doors should be checked at least once every 3 months, while flat entrance doors should be checked at least once a year. In commercial buildings and HMOs, fire door checks frequency should be determined by the fire risk assessment and level of use.
If you identify an issue during the checks, it is essential to deal with it immediately. Failing to address identified defects may expose the responsible person to enforcement action under fire safety legislation.
What to Do When a Check Reveals a Problem?
In most cases, it is possible to make minor adjustments to fix problems with a loose hinge screw, an incorrectly aligned closer, or a small section of damaged intumescent seal without having to change the door.
However, if the door is damaged, it is not possible to verify its certification. If it does not close and latch correctly despite adjustment, it is time to change it. Where a fire door cannot be repaired to meet its certified specification, replacement should be arranged without undue delay. A door that does not meet its certified performance cannot be relied upon in a fire.
The Bottom Line
A fire door inspection is not a box-ticking exercise. It is the common-sense approach that ensures fire doors do the job they are designed to do. Share this list with your customers and encourage them to carry out regular checks. Ensure they understand what to look out for and what to do if something is amiss. A well-maintained fire door works when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can building owners carry out their own fire door inspections?
Yes, the building owner or a designated responsible person can carry out day-to-day visual checks. For more thorough periodic inspections, particularly in regulated settings, bring in a qualified fire door inspector.
2. What happens if a fire door fails an inspection?
You can often repair minor issues. But if the door leaf is structurally compromised, you cannot verify the certification, or you cannot get the door to close and latch properly, replace it. A non-compliant fire door in a regulated building is a legal liability.
3. Do fire doors need to be checked after any building work or renovations?
Yes. Any building work near or around a fire door can affect its performance. Check the gaps, hinges, seals, and closing device after any work takes place in the area, even if nobody directly touched the door itself.
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