How Often Should You Inspect Fire Doors?
Why Regular Fire Door Inspections Are Essential
Regular fire door inspections aren’t just a legal requirement—they’re a critical safety measure that could save lives in your workplace. Fire doors are designed to contain smoke and flames for their designated fire rating period, giving people crucial time to evacuate safely. However, even minor damage like worn door seals, damaged hinges, or improperly fitted door closers can drastically reduce their effectiveness.
Inspection frequency depends on your building type, with high-traffic commercial premises requiring more frequent checks than low-use storage facilities. Regular inspections catch problems early, ensuring your fire doors will perform when needed most. Beyond safety, consistent fire door maintenance protects your business from hefty fines, potential legal liability, and insurance complications. Fire authorities can issue improvement notices or even prosecute businesses with non-compliant fire doors, making professional inspections a smart investment in both safety and business protection.
What To Look For During an Inspection
Fire door inspections should cover several critical components to ensure maximum protection. Check that door frames are undamaged and properly aligned, as warped or cracked frames can prevent doors from sealing correctly during a fire. Examine door seals and strips around the edges—these intumescent materials expand when heated to block smoke and flames, so any gaps or missing sections compromise the door’s effectiveness.
Test the door closing mechanism to ensure it shuts the door completely from any open position without assistance. Hinges should be secure and undamaged, while door handles and locks must operate smoothly without sticking. Look for any holes, cracks, or modifications to the door itself, including removed glazing or unauthorized hardware additions that weren’t part of the original fire door assembly.
Finally, verify that fire door signage is present and legible, and ensure nothing is propping doors open or obstructing their swing path. Even small issues like paint build-up around door edges can prevent proper closure, making thorough visual and functional checks essential for maintaining fire safety standards.
Common Issues We See
During workplace fire door inspections, certain problems appear repeatedly across different building types. Damaged or missing intumescent seals are amongst the most frequent issues we encounter, often caused by wear from daily use or cleaning activities that strip away these vital fire-resistant materials.
Faulty door closers represent another major concern, with many doors failing to close fully due to worn springs, incorrect adjustment, or damage from forced opening. We regularly find doors that have been wedged or propped open for convenience, completely defeating their fire safety purpose during an emergency.
Unauthorised modifications cause significant compliance problems, including additional holes drilled for cables, replacement glass that isn’t fire-rated, or aftermarket hardware that wasn’t tested with the original door assembly. Paint build-up around door frames and edges is surprisingly common, preventing doors from closing properly and creating gaps that allow smoke penetration.
Finally, missing or illegible fire door signage creates confusion during emergencies, whilst damaged hinges and warped door frames often result from building settlement or impact damage. These recurring issues highlight why professional inspections are essential for maintaining workplace fire safety standards.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Door Inspections?
The responsibility for fire door inspections falls on the building’s “Responsible Person” under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This is typically the employer, building owner, landlord, or facilities manager who has control over the premises.
In shared buildings, landlords are generally responsible for common areas whilst tenants handle fire doors within their leased spaces, though lease agreements should clarify these responsibilities. Many organisations delegate inspections to qualified professionals, but legal responsibility remains with the Responsible Person.
Inspections must be carried out by competent individuals who understand fire door standards. Whether conducted internally or by certified specialists, the Responsible Person must maintain proper records and ensure any problems are addressed promptly to meet their legal obligations.
Need help with fire door inspections?
At The Fire Safety Guys, we provide certified inspections across London and the South East. Get in touch today.