Fire doors must be inspected at least every six months, and more frequently in certain building types. This guide covers how often fire doors need to be inspected under UK law, what a thorough inspection involves, who can carry one out, and what to do if a door fails.

Key Takeaways

• Most fire doors need to be inspected at least every six months, with higher-risk buildings requiring more frequent checks.
• Inspections must be performed by a competent person, as per UK fire safety regulations.
• Regular inspections contribute to safety, prevent the spread of fire, and ensure compliance with regulations.

What Is a Fire Door Inspection?

A fire door inspection is a systematic process of evaluating a fire door’s components to ensure they meet safety standards and function as intended during a fire. Regular fire door inspections are essential for maintaining the door’s ability to delay the spread of fire and smoke, providing valuable time for evacuation.

Inspectors focus on several elements, including the door’s certification, gap measurements, hardware condition, and overall integrity. A fire door that has been properly inspected and maintained acts as a critical barrier, one that can save lives in an emergency.

Are Fire Door Inspections a Legal Requirement?

Yes. Fire door inspections are a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Article 17 requires the responsible person to ensure fire doors are correctly installed and adequately maintained. Understanding where fire doors are required in the UK is the first step for any building owner or manager working to meet their legal duties.

Failure to maintain and inspect fire doors puts occupants at risk and can result in enforcement action, fines, or prosecution. A poorly maintained fire door may fail when it is needed most.

How Often Do Fire Doors Need to Be Inspected?

Fire doors should be inspected at least every six months. However, the required frequency varies depending on the building type, its height, and how the doors are used.

General Buildings

Most fire doors in commercial and residential properties should be inspected every six months, in line with the BWF-CERTFIRE Best Practice Guide.

Buildings Over 11 Metres High

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, buildings over 11 metres in height have stricter requirements:

• Communal fire doors: At least every three months.
• Flat entrance fire doors: At least annually, on a ‘best endeavours’ basis.

High-traffic areas and doors subject to frequent use may need inspecting more regularly, regardless of building height. Wear and accidental damage can compromise a door’s performance between formal inspection cycles.

 

The Legal Framework: Building Safety Act 2022

In addition to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced stronger accountability for higher-risk buildings that are over 18 metres or seven storeys. Dutyholders and Accountable Persons are now legally responsible for ensuring fire doors in these buildings are maintained and inspected to a higher standard. Residents of higher-risk buildings may also formally request access for inspections of flat entrance doors, and building owners must facilitate this.

For a full overview of fire door maintenance requirements under current UK law, see our dedicated maintenance guide.

 

What to Check During a Fire Door Inspection

A fire door inspection covers each component of the doorset. Key areas include:

Certification and Measurements

• Certification Labels: Look for a label or plug that confirms the door meets safety standards.
• Fire door rating: confirm the door is rated appropriately for its location. FD30 doors provide 30 minutes of fire resistance; FD60 doors provide 60 minutes. FD20 doors are no longer recommended and should be flagged for replacement.
• Gaps: Measure the gaps around the door and ensure they are in line with what’s required by test evidence.
• Self-closing devices: Check that the door closer is correctly fitted, undamaged, and able to bring the door fully to the latch from any open position.

Seals and Hardware

• Seals: Inspect intumescent and smoke seals for wear or damage. These seals expand when exposed to heat, preventing smoke from passing through.
• Hinges: Ensure the door has three or more securely attached hinges with no missing screws.

Functionality

• Automatic Closure: Open the door halfway and release it. It should close fully and latch securely.
• Smooth Operation: The door should not stick or drag while closing.

Structural Integrity

• Damage Check: Inspect the door for any warping, cracks, or breaches that could compromise its performance.

 

Who Can Perform Fire Door Inspections?

Fire door inspections must be carried out by a competent person, who is defined as someone with demonstrable knowledge of fire door components, standards, and inspection criteria.

Qualified Inspectors Include:

• Professional fire door inspectors.
• Fire risk assessors conducting broader safety assessments.
• Trained in-house personnel performing basic checks.
• Inspectors accredited through schemes such as FIRAS, BM TRADA Q-Mark, or the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS).

 

Common Problems Found During Inspections

Fire door inspections regularly uncover issues that, left unaddressed, can compromise a building’s passive fire protection. The most common faults include:

• Missing Certification: Doors without certification labels may not meet safety standards.
• Damaged Seals: Worn-out or missing seals cannot block fire and smoke effectively.
• Loose Hinges: Poorly secured hinges impact the door’s ability to close properly.
• Structural Damage: Warped or damaged doors fail to contain fire.
• Faulty Door Closers: A self-closing device that fails to bring the door fully to the latch is one of the most common and serious failures found during commercial fire door inspections.

Any fault identified during an inspection should be rectified promptly. Delays increase risk and may constitute a breach of fire safety law.

 

What Happens If a Fire Door Fails an Inspection?

If a fire door fails an inspection, it must be taken out of service or remediated immediately; it cannot simply be monitored until the next inspection cycle. The responsible person is legally obligated to ensure the fault is corrected.

Depending on the nature of the fault, remediation may involve:

• Replacing damaged or missing seals.
• Re-fitting or replacing hinges and hardware.
• Replacing the door leaf or frame if structurally compromised.
• Full door replacement where the doorset cannot be brought back to compliance.

A written record of the fault, the action taken, and the date of remediation should be retained as evidence of compliance.

 

Best Practices for Fire Door Maintenance

Keeping fire doors compliant requires more than periodic inspections. The following practices help maintain standards between formal checks:

• Regular Inspections: Follow recommended inspection intervals.
• Proper Documentation: Record all inspections, findings, and repairs.
• Staff Training: Train in-house teams to conduct visual checks.
• Digital Records: Gerda’s G-Smart fire door management software provides a digital platform that tracks the complete history of every fire doorset from installation through to ongoing maintenance.

Inspection Checklist

Use this checklist before each fire door inspection:

• Is the certification label visible?
• Are gaps within acceptable limits?
• Are seals intact and undamaged?
• Are hinges secure and correctly installed?
• Is the self-closing device functioning correctly?
• Does the door close fully and latch securely?
• Is the door free from structural damage?

How Gerda Security Supports Fire Door Safety

At Gerda Security, we are dedicated to ensuring your fire safety needs are met. We provide:

• High-quality fire doorsets, certified to meet UK safety standards.
• Maintenance and inspection services by trained professionals.
• Guidance on compliance with fire safety regulations.
• Emergency Response Pack planning and annual audit services.

Properly inspected and maintained fire doors protect lives, reduce liability, and keep buildings compliant with UK fire safety law.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Fire Door Inspections

How often should fire doors be inspected?

Most fire doors should be inspected every six months. In buildings over 11 metres high, communal fire doors require inspection at least every three months, and flat entrance doors at least annually. 

What are common fire door faults?

Damaged or missing seals, loose hinges, missing certification labels, faulty self-closing devices, and structural damage to the door leaf or frame.

What happens if a fire door fails inspection?

It must be taken out of use or repaired immediately. The responsible person is legally obligated to remediate the fault and retain a written record of the action taken.

What is a commercial fire door inspection?

A commercial fire door inspection follows the same core process as a standard inspection but is carried out across larger buildings — offices, retail premises, hotels, healthcare facilities, and other commercial properties. These environments typically have higher footfall and may require more frequent inspections. A competent inspector will assess all fire doors on the premises and produce a documented report of findings.