Common Fire Door Failures Found in FRAs (UK)

This page is for landlords, managing agents and facilities managers who have received a Fire Risk Assessment and need to understand common fire door-related failures and what they usually mean in practice.

Fire door issues are among the most frequently recorded findings in Fire Risk Assessments, even in buildings that are otherwise well managed.

Why fire door issues are so commonly flagged

Fire doors are high-use components. They are opened, closed, knocked, altered and repaired over time.

Because of this, Fire Risk Assessments regularly identify fire door issues that develop gradually rather than through a single obvious failure.

Many findings relate to relatively small but important details.

Common fire door FRA failures

Below are some of the most frequently recorded fire door-related findings in Fire Risk Assessments.

1. Missing or incorrect fire door signage

Fire Risk Assessments often note that required fire door signage is missing, unclear or incorrectly worded.

This may include:

• No “Fire Door Keep Shut” signage
• Incorrect wording used
• Signs missing from one side of the door
• Signs that are damaged or no longer legible

These are typically categorised as straightforward remedial actions.

2. Inappropriate or non-fire-rated hardware

Fire door hardware is expected to be suitable for use on fire-resisting doors.

Inspectors may flag:

• Non-fire-rated hinges
• Incorrect ironmongery
• Incompatible components

This is more common in doors that have been repaired or altered over time.

3. Excessive gaps around the door leaf

Inspectors frequently measure the gaps around the sides and head of a fire door.

Gaps that exceed acceptable tolerances are often recorded as non-compliant, particularly where smoke control is required.

This issue is commonly identified during more detailed inspections.

4. Damaged, missing or incorrect seals

Fire Risk Assessments regularly identify issues with intumescent and/or smoke seals, such as:

• Missing sections
• Damage from wear or impact
• Seals painted over
• Incorrect seal type fitted

Because seals play a critical role during a fire, these issues are usually recorded clearly.

5. Door does not self-close properly

A common inspection finding is that a fire door does not fully close and latch when released.

This may be caused by:

• Faulty or incorrectly adjusted door closers
• Obstructions
• Warped doors or frames

Fire doors are generally expected to close fully under their own action.

6. Lack of inspection records or evidence

Even where fire doors appear physically compliant, Fire Risk Assessments often note a lack of inspection records.

This may include:

• No visible inspection tags
• No written records
• Unclear inspection frequency

Inspectors generally expect some form of documented evidence that fire doors are being checked.

How these failures are typically addressed

Most fire door FRA failures are not structural rebuilds or require replacement of fire doors.

After a failed inspection, issues are usually addressed by:

• Installing correct signage
• Replacing seals
• Adjusting or repairing closers
• Measuring and correcting gaps
• Introducing or improving inspection records

In the short-term, for low-level defects, fire doors may be permitted for use before repairs are completed. The exact remedial action should always align with the Fire Risk Assessment findings and be completed within a reasonable period of time.

How this site helps

This site focuses specifically on fire door compliance issues commonly identified during Fire Risk Assessments.

Rather than navigating large fire safety catalogues, you can find:

• Clear explanations of common inspection failures
• Products aligned with typical remedial actions
• Practical guidance based on inspection language