Missing or incorrectly fitted fire door signage is one of the most common findings in Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs). Even in otherwise well-managed buildings, inspectors frequently record issues relating to signage, such as placement, visibility and inconsistent wording.
This page is for landlords, managing agents and facilities managers who need to understand when "Fire door keep shut" signs are required, what wording is typically expected, and where those signs should be positioned.
Understanding where fire door keep shut signs should be fitted - and at what height they are normally positioned - helps reduce the risk of avoidable remedial actions.
Where should fire door keep shut signs be fitted?
Fire door keep shut signs are normally fitted:
- On the face of the fire door
- At eye level so they are clearly visible on approach
- On both sides of the door where appropriate
Placement should ensure the instruction is easily seen by building occupants when approaching and using the door. Inspectors are typically concerned with visibility and consistency rather than a fixed millimetre measurement.
When is a “Fire Door Keep Shut” sign required?
Fire door keep shut signs are typically required on fire doors that are intended to remain closed in normal use.
These signs help ensure doors are not propped open, preserving fire compartmentation and protecting escape routes.
Fire Risk Assessments frequently identify signage as missing, unclear or incorrectly worded.
What wording should a fire door keep shut sign use?
Inspectors are usually very specific about signage wording.
The most commonly accepted wording is:
“Fire Door Keep Shut”
Alternative or incorrect phrases may be flagged if they:
- Are ambiguous
- Are not clearly visible
- Do not match recognised guidance
Using clear, standard wording reduces the risk of inspection failure.
What types of fire doors usually need keep shut signs?
Keep shut signage is commonly required on:
- Flat entrance doors opening onto communal areas
- Corridor fire doors
- Stairwell fire doors
- Service riser doors that form part of a fire compartment
Fire doors that are designed to remain open (for example, those with automatic hold-open devices linked to the fire alarm) typically require different signage.
Common fire door signage inspection failures
Fire Risk Assessments frequently record issues such as:
- No fire door signage fitted
- Incorrect wording used
- Signs missing from one side of the door
- Damaged, faded or painted-over signs
- Temporary or non-durable signage
These are usually categorised as straightforward remedial actions.
How signage issues are typically addressed
Signage issues are usually resolved by:
- Installing compliant fire door keep shut signs
- Replacing incorrect or unclear signage
- Ensuring signs are securely fixed and clearly visible
This is often one of the simplest and quickest fire door compliance issues to correct.
FAQs
1. Where should fire door keep closed signs be fitted?
Fire door keep shut (or keep closed) signs are normally fitted on the face of the fire door, in a position that is clearly visible when approaching the door.
In practice, inspectors typically expect signage to:
- Be mounted directly on the door leaf
- Be clearly visible and not obscured by hardware
- Be positioned consistently across similar doors in the building
Where both sides of a door are accessible to occupants, signage is often expected on each face.
2. At what height should fire door keep shut signs be fitted?
There is usually no fixed statutory height measurement written into legislation.
In practice, signs are typically fitted at eye level (around 1.5m to 2.0m from the floor) so that the instruction is clearly visible on approach. This generally means:
- Positioned centrally on the door leaf
- Not fitted too low (e.g. near kick plates)
- Not hidden behind push plates or door furniture
Inspectors are normally concerned with visibility and clarity, rather than an exact millimetre dimension.
3. Are fire door keep shut signs required on both sides?
Often, yes.
Where both sides of the door are used by building occupants, inspectors commonly expect signage on each face so the instruction is visible regardless of direction of travel.
This is particularly common for:
- Corridor doors
- Stairwell doors
- Flat entrance doors opening into communal areas
Where one side is not accessible to occupants, signage may only be required on the accessible face.
4. Is “Fire Door Keep Closed” acceptable wording?
Inspectors generally prefer recognised and widely used wording such as:
“Fire Door Keep Shut”
While “Keep Closed” may appear similar, alternative phrasing can sometimes be questioned if it does not match commonly recognised guidance or if it creates inconsistency within the building.
Using standard wording reduces the risk of inspection comments.
5. Are fire door signs a legal requirement?
Fire safety legislation does not usually list individual fire door signs as standalone statutory requirements.
However, Responsible Persons are required to maintain fire safety measures in effective working order. In practice, Fire Risk Assessments commonly expect appropriate signage on fire doors where instructions are necessary to support compartmentation and safe escape.
Missing or incorrect signage is therefore frequently recorded as a remedial action during inspections.
