How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?

No matter the type of building you own, work, or live in, fire doors play an important role in fire safety, specifically passive fire protection. They work by containing and preventing the spread of fire and smoke, which protects lives, assets, and property. With regular fire door inspections, you can ensure that they function as they should and comply with UK fire regulations. But how often should fire doors be inspected?

In this blog, we share everything you need to know about fire door inspections including what they entail and why they’re important. We also look at the current fire door inspection regulations so you know your legal obligations in maintaining fire safety within your building.

What is a fire door inspection and why are they important?

A fire door inspection is a comprehensive assessment of a fire door’s condition. It ensures that all components, such as hinges, seals, closers, and frames, are intact and perform correctly. In order for them to effectively prevent fire and smoke from spreading, they must remain in optimal condition. With regular fire door inspections, they help to:

• Identify wear and tear or damage that may compromise the door’s performance
• Ensure compliance with UK fire safety regulations
• Improve overall fire safety within a building
• Reduce liability risks for building owners and managers

The importance of conducting regular fire door inspections can’t be overstated. Poorly maintained or faulty fire doors can lead to devastating consequences during a fire, and put people’s lives at risk. With routine inspections, you can identify any issues with your fire doors and fix them quickly, ensuring that they’re providing the necessary protection.

As well as that, you can make sure you comply with your legal obligations of UK fire safety regulations, and give building occupants peace of mind knowing that the necessary safety measures are in place should a fire occur.

What are the current fire door inspection regulations?

There are several key pieces of legislation that govern fire door inspections, each recommending how often they should be inspected. Some key pieces of legislation include:

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – specifically Article 17 – requires the ‘responsible person’ (usually the building owner, employer, or landlord) to ensure that all fire doors are properly maintained and fit for purpose every 12 months in line with your annual review of your fire risk assessment.
• The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 requires quarterly fire door inspections in areas of most use, as well as annual checks of flat entrance doors in high-rise residential buildings.
• British Standard 9999:2017 (Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings) provides guidelines on fire safety management and states regular inspections of fire doors should be conducted every six months. 
• The Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies, or BS 8214:2016 outlines the installation, maintenance, and inspection of fire doors, and generally recommend inspection frequency should be determined according to your fire risk assessment and overall door usage.
• The Chief Fire Officers Association states that fire door inspections should be conducted as necessary at suitable levels.

It’s also important to note that new buildings may require more frequent inspections, especially in the first year of use as fire doors acclimatise. As well as this, fire doors in high-traffic areas such as offices, hospitals, and schools, may require more frequent checks.

At Fire Industry Specialists (FIS), we would recommend inspecting your fire doors every six months, or annually as an absolute minimum in line with your fire risk assessment review. It’s crucial to understand your building’s traffic levels and specific fire safety needs to determine how often your fire doors should be inspected. If you’re unsure and you need expert guidance, speak to our specialists today.

Who should carry out a fire door inspection?

Fire door inspections should only be carried out by a competent person that possesses the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to inspect fire doors in line with current UK regulations and standards.

A competent person is usually an experienced contractor, or a trained professional from a fire safety company, like FIS. Regular in-house visual checks by building managers or a responsible person can help identify obvious damage, but a full inspection should always be carried out by a certified professional.

At FIS, our team of fire safety professionals have undergone the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) course and have a Diploma in Fire Doors (DipFD) qualification to ensure you get a trusted and reliable service. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our fire door inspection competency.

Get in touch with us for your fire door inspection

It’s obvious to see that conducting regular fire door inspections is key for maintaining fire safety within your building, and for adhering to UK legislation and standards. The general recommendation on how often should fire doors be inspected is every six to twelve months, but this may differ depending on your building’s unique needs.

Here at FIS, we provide expert fire door inspections to ensure your building remains compliant with UK fire safety regulations. Our certified team can thoroughly assess your fire doors, identify any issues, and recommend any necessary actions to maintain optimal safety. We’ll work closely with you to understand your specific fire safety requirements, allowing us to advise you on the recommended frequency for inspecting your fire doors.

Be sure to contact us today to arrange a professional and certified fire door inspection at your property and have peace of mind that your fire doors will continue to work as intended and that they meet legal safety standards.

Fire door inspections FAQs

Are fire door inspections a legal requirement in the UK?

Yes, there are several pieces of legislation that govern fire door inspections. For example, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that the responsible person must ensure that fire doors are maintained and regularly inspected to meet legal requirements.

What happens if a fire door fails an inspection?

If a fire door fails an inspection, any necessary repairs or replacements will be recommended which must be carried out promptly to comply with fire safety regulations and maintain building safety.

What are the common issues found during fire door inspections?

Some of the most common issues found in a fire door inspection include gaps around the door frame, damaged seals, faulty closers, non-compliant hinges, and obstructions that prevent proper closure.