Fire doors are a vital component of a building’s passive fire protection system. Their primary function is to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between compartments of a building, providing occupants with time to evacuate safely and protecting escape routes for emergency services. As such, they are regulated under several fire safety laws in the United Kingdom, and the consequences of poor maintenance can be severe, both in terms of life safety and legal responsibility. Proper maintenance of fire doors ensures that these essential safety devices perform to their designed standard when it matters most.
Given their role as a life-saving feature, fire doors must be kept in good working condition. This requires regular inspection and upkeep in line with legal guidance and professional best practices. The following guide outlines what is involved in fire door maintenance, the key checks that should be carried out, and the frequency with which inspections should take place.
Fire Door Maintenance Guide
All fire doors must be maintained in a condition that allows them to fulfill their intended purpose. Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes it a legal requirement to ensure that fire doors are adequately maintained and fit for purpose. Everyday use, environmental conditions, and building movement can all cause deterioration or misalignment of components, reducing the effectiveness of a fire door over time.
According to the Fire Protection Association, a significant number of fire doors inspected in 2019 failed to meet required standards. These findings highlight the importance of regular checks carried out by a competent individual. A comprehensive fire door maintenance programme must account for visual inspections, component functionality, and legal signage, all documented with detailed records for compliance and future reference.
How Do You Check a Fire Door?
To check a fire door properly, a systematic approach must be taken. This involves examining each component of the door to ensure it meets safety standards and operates as intended. Each inspection should cover the fire rating label, door gaps and seals, hinges, door closers, signage, and any installed fire door retainers or free-swing closers. These elements work together to ensure the door can contain fire and smoke during an emergency.
Identify the Door as a Fire Rated Door
The first step in any inspection is to confirm whether the door is indeed a certified fire door. Certification is normally provided by a label or plug, which is usually located on the top edge of the door leaf. Depending on the manufacturer, this may be a paper label, a plastic plug, or a metal tag. You may need to use a phone camera in selfie mode to locate it without climbing.
This label should include essential information such as the fire rating (e.g. FD30 or FD60), the manufacturer’s name, and a certification body reference. If no certification can be found and there is uncertainty as to whether the door is fire rated, it must be treated with caution. A qualified professional should assess the door to confirm its status.
Check Gaps and Seals
The effectiveness of a fire door relies heavily on the integrity of its perimeter gaps and the condition of its seals. The gap between the door and the frame should ideally be consistent, measuring between 2mm and 4mm on all sides. If the gap exceeds this tolerance, smoke and fire may bypass the door during a fire.
Intumescent seals, which expand when exposed to high temperatures, are designed to close these gaps and prevent the passage of fire and smoke. These seals are usually fitted around the edge of the door or in the frame itself. During inspection, seals should be checked for continuity, damage, or missing sections. Any signs of wear, peeling, or detachment indicate that replacement is required.
Check the Hinges
Fire doors must be securely hung using a minimum of three hinges. These hinges should be fire rated, CE marked, and fixed firmly with the correct number of screws. Each screw must be fully driven in and free from damage. The hinges must be inspected for wear, corrosion, or any visible signs of failure.
A missing screw, poor alignment, or use of non-compliant hardware can lead to a compromised fire door that may fail under fire conditions. Hinges should also be checked for the presence of intumescent pads beneath them, which help to maintain fire resistance at the points where the door is fixed to the frame.
Check the Door Closer
The door closer plays a critical role in ensuring that a fire door closes and latches properly after each use. This is particularly important in ensuring the intumescent seals can engage correctly in the event of a fire. The closer should be checked to ensure it is operating smoothly and is capable of closing the door from any open position.
Inspect the closer for signs of fluid leakage, physical damage, or any unusual noise during operation. The speed at which the door closes should be controlled, and the door must always latch fully into the frame without slamming or remaining ajar. If the closer does not perform as intended, it should be adjusted or replaced by a competent technician.
Check the Fire Door is Clearly Marked
All fire doors are required to be clearly marked with the appropriate signage. The type of sign required depends on whether the door is held open using a fire door holder or is intended to remain shut at all times.
Standard fire doors must display signage such as ‘Fire door – keep shut’ on both sides if the door is approached from both directions. In cases where a fire door holder or a free-swing door closer is installed, the correct signage would be ‘Keep fire door open safely’ to indicate that the door will release automatically in an emergency. Inadequate signage may cause confusion and hinder proper use of the door during an evacuation.
Check Fire Door Retainer or Free-Swing Fire Door Closer
Fire doors in high-traffic environments may be fitted with retainers or free-swing closers to improve usability while still complying with fire safety regulations. These devices hold the door open or allow it to swing freely, but automatically release the door to close when the fire alarm is triggered.
As part of the inspection, test that the device responds correctly to the fire alarm system and allows the door to close fully. If this mechanism fails, the door may remain open during a fire, rendering it ineffective. It is also important to check that appropriate signage accompanies the use of such devices to prevent misuse or misunderstanding.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Checked?
The frequency of fire door inspections depends on several factors, including building type, door usage, and current regulations. As a general rule, the British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Alliance recommends fire doors be checked at least every six months. However, doors located in high traffic areas, such as corridors or entrances, may require more frequent checks.
In newly occupied buildings, inspections should be carried out more frequently in the first twelve months, as increased settling and movement during this period can affect door performance. Additionally, where fire doors are subject to frequent use or rough handling, monthly or even weekly checks may be appropriate.
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, further obligations apply to buildings over 11 metres in height. The responsible person must, to the best of their ability, carry out checks on all fire doors in communal areas at least once every three months. Entrance doors to individual residential units must be checked at least annually. These checks must confirm that the door’s self-closing devices are functional and that the doors are not damaged or altered in a way that could compromise their integrity.
Summary
Fire door maintenance is a legal and moral responsibility for anyone involved in the management or operation of buildings in the UK. A properly maintained fire door is crucial in ensuring that fire and smoke do not spread uncontrollably during an emergency, protecting both life and property.
Routine checks are essential to identify wear, damage, or tampering, all of which can undermine a fire door’s effectiveness. Each inspection should confirm the door’s certification, the presence and condition of seals and hinges, the correct operation of door closers, and the suitability of any signage or retention devices. Where any issue is identified, it must be addressed promptly by a qualified individual.
Compliance with fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, is not optional. Enforcement action may be taken where inadequate maintenance is found, including fines, prosecution, or closure of premises.
A proactive approach to fire door maintenance demonstrates commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and the well-being of building occupants. Establishing and following a regular inspection regime helps ensure fire doors remain effective and legally compliant throughout their lifespan.
