Fire Door Compliance & Inspection Guidance (UK)
We publish practical guidance to help landlords, managing agents and facilities teams understand how fire door compliance is typically assessed in real buildings.
The topics below reflect common areas raised during Fire Risk Assessments and routine inspections.
This information is provided for general awareness and should be read alongside your site-specific Fire Risk Assessment.
Fire Door Compliance
Fire door compliance involves ensuring that fire doors remain capable of performing their intended fire-resisting function. The page below explains what fire door compliance typically involves, the issues most often identified during Fire Risk Assessments and how these findings are usually addressed in practice.
Fire Door Compliance Requirements
Fire Door Inspections
Fire door inspections are usually carried out as part of routine fire safety management or during a Fire Risk Assessment. The pages below explain how inspections are conducted, how often checks are expected and what inspectors typically look for.
Fire Door Inspection Requirements & Frequency
Core Inspection Understanding
Legal & Responsibility
- Are Fire Door Inspections a Legal Requirement
- Who Is Responsible for Fire Door Inspections
- How Inspectors Check Fire Doors
Recording & Evidence
Fire Door Failures & Remedial Actions
When inspections identify defects, Responsible Persons are normally expected to arrange repairs or corrective actions. The guidance below explains how inspection findings are typically handled in practice.
Fire Door Remedial Actions After a Failed Inspection
Identification & Context
- Common Fire Door FRA (Fire Risk Assessment) Failures
- What Happens If a Fire Door Fails Inspection
- Who Is Responsible for Remedial Works?
Decisions & Urgency
- Temporary Measures After Failed Inspection
- How Quickly Must Fire Door Defects Be Fixed?
- Prioritising Failures - Risk Ranking
- Can You Use a Fire Door While Waiting for Repair?
Resolution & Closure
Fire Door Components & Hardware
Fire doors are assessed as complete assemblies, not just a door leaf. During inspections, assessors typically check components such as hinges, seals, gaps and closing devices to confirm the door will perform as intended. This section explains how these components are commonly assessed in practice, what issues are frequently identified, and what they mean in terms of maintenance and remedial work.
Fire Door Components & Hardware Requirements
- Fire Door Gap Size Requirements
- Intumescent Strips Regulations
- Fire Door Hinges Requirements
- Fire Door Threshold Seal Requirements
- Fire Door Self-Closer Requirements
Fire Door Signage
Fire door signage provides clear instructions to building occupants about how fire doors should be used. Missing, incorrect or poorly positioned signage is a common Fire Risk Assessment finding. The pages below explain when fire door signs are required, what wording inspectors usually expect and how signage should be positioned on fire doors.