Fire Door Remedial Actions After a Fire Risk Assessment (UK)

When a Fire Risk Assessment identifies problems with fire doors, these issues are normally recorded as actions that need to be addressed. The Responsible Person is usually expected to arrange repairs, replacements or other corrective measures within a reasonable timeframe.

Fire door defects vary widely in severity. Some issues may present a higher risk to life safety and require urgent attention, while others can often be scheduled alongside routine maintenance works.

This page explains how fire door inspection findings are typically managed once they have been identified.

What happens after a fire door defect is identified?

After an inspection or Fire Risk Assessment, defects are normally recorded in an action plan or report. Common findings may include problems such as:

• fire doors that do not self-close properly
• excessive gaps around the door leaf
• missing or damaged intumescent seals
• incorrect or missing fire door signage
• unsuitable hardware or modifications to the door assembly

Each issue is usually assessed according to the level of risk it presents.

Prioritising remedial actions

Not all fire door defects require the same response. Inspectors normally expect higher-risk issues affecting escape routes or life safety to be addressed first.

Factors that often influence prioritisation include:

• whether the door protects a key escape route
• whether the door protects sleeping accommodation
• whether the door can still self-close and latch correctly
• the extent of damage or modification to the door

Low-level defects may sometimes allow for continued use while repairs are scheduled but the risk must be actively managed.

More detailed guidance is available in the page on prioritising fire door failures and risk ranking.

Repair, replacement and temporary measures

Depending on the nature of the defect, corrective action may involve:

• repairing damaged or non-compliant components such as hinges, closers and seals
• replacing the door leaf or door assembly
• implementing temporary control measures until repairs can be completed

In many cases the inspector will expect the Responsible Person to document how and when these issues will be addressed.

Evidence that actions have been completed

Once remedial work has been carried out, inspectors will usually expect evidence showing that the issue has been resolved. This may include:

• maintenance records
• inspection logs
• photographs or contractor reports

Maintaining clear records helps demonstrate that fire door compliance is being actively managed.