Landlords and managing agents should have a clear process for monitoring fire doors. Routine visual checks can help identify obvious defects early, while professional inspections provide a more detailed assessment of doorset condition and suitability.
Routine fire door checklist
During a basic visual check, look for the following:
- Door closes fully: release the door and confirm the self-closer shuts it into the frame.
- No obvious damage: inspect the door leaf and frame for splits, holes, distortion or impact damage.
- Hinges secure: check that hinges and visible screws are present and tight.
- Gaps reasonable and consistent: large or uneven gaps should be investigated.
- Seals intact: where intumescent strips or smoke seals are fitted, check they are present and not damaged.
- Glazing undamaged: look for cracked glass, loose beads or obvious alterations.
- Hardware suitable: check handles, latches, locks and letterplates for damage or unauthorised changes.
- Door not wedged open: make sure fire doors are not being defeated by wedges or unsuitable hold-open devices.
- Surrounding wall sound: damage around the frame can affect the fire-resisting construction.
Additional duties in taller blocks of flats in England
For multi-occupied residential buildings where the top storey is more than 11 metres above ground, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require quarterly checks of communal fire doors and best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually. The Responsible Person must also keep records of the steps taken to check flat entrance doors.
The official government guidance includes a routine fire door checklist and explains what can reasonably be checked without specialist tools.
When should a specialist be called?
Arrange professional assistance where a door has significant damage, questionable gaps, alterations, missing components, uncertain fire performance or repeated closer problems. Specialist inspection is also useful where a portfolio contains many doors and the Responsible Person needs a consistent digital record of condition and remedial actions.
Keep records
Good records help demonstrate that identified defects are being managed. Record the door reference, location, date, defect and action taken. For larger properties, photographs and status tracking can make remedial programmes much easier to control.
Further reading: For a full overview of inspection scope, routine checks, common defects, reporting and current residential requirements, see our Complete UK Fire Door Inspection Guide.
Need professional support?
SJ Fire Safety Consultants provides independent fire door inspection service with clear, practical reporting and nationwide support. Learn more about our Fire Door Inspection service or contact us to arrange an inspection.
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