Fire Door Inspection: What to Check and Record

Why Fire Door Inspections Matter More Than Ever

Since the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force in January 2023, responsible persons for multi-occupied residential buildings of 11 metres or more must carry out quarterly checks on all fire doors in communal areas and annual checks (on a best-endeavours basis) on all flat entrance fire doors. That created a surge in demand for competent inspectors who know what to look for and — just as importantly — how to record it properly.

Whether you're a fire risk assessor, a facilities manager, or a tradesman offering fire door inspection as part of your services, this guide walks you through the practical reality of carrying out and documenting these checks.

The Legal Framework

The key legislation and standards you need to know:

• Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — requires the responsible person to maintain fire safety measures, including fire doors.
• Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Regulation 10 — introduces the inspection duties for residential buildings above 11 metres: communal fire doors at least every 3 months, flat entrance doors at least every 12 months (using best endeavours).
• BS 476-22 — the fire resistance test standard that most older fire doors were tested to.
• BS EN 1634-1 — the current European standard for fire resistance testing of doorsets.
• BS 8214:2016 — code of practice for fire door assemblies, including guidance on installation and maintenance.

Note that the 2022 Regulations apply to England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety regimes, though the practical inspection principles are largely the same.

What Competence Do You Need?

The Regulations don't prescribe a specific qualification, but they do require the person carrying out checks to be "suitably qualified or experienced." In practice, this means you should be able to demonstrate competence. Recognised routes include:

• Third-party fire door inspection schemes — such as the FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme) certification.
• Manufacturer training — some door manufacturers offer their own inspection training programmes.
• Relevant NVQs or trade qualifications combined with CPD in fire door maintenance.

If you're adding fire door inspections to your existing services, getting FDIS-certified or equivalent is strongly recommended. It gives your clients confidence and protects you if your work is ever questioned.

The Fire Door Check: What to Inspect

Whether it's a quarterly communal door check or an annual flat entrance door check, the inspection should cover the following points. Work through them systematically every time — don't rely on memory.

1. The Door Leaf

• Is the door a certified fire door? Look for a plug or label on the top or closing edge. FD30 (30-minute) doors are the minimum for most flat entrance doors; some require FD60.
• Check for damage: holes, splits, cracks, or warping. Any penetration through the leaf — even a spy-hole fitted after installation — can compromise fire performance.
• Confirm the door hasn't been planed down excessively. Removing material alters the tested specification.
• Check that any glazed panels are intact and are fire-rated glass (look for markings in the corner of the pane).

2. The Door Frame

• Is the frame securely fixed to the wall? Give it a firm push — there should be no movement.
• Check for gaps between the frame and the wall. Any gaps should be fire-stopped with intumescent mastic or appropriate packing, not standard decorator's caulk.
• Look for damage or distortion to the frame that could prevent the door from closing flush.

3. Intumescent Strips and Smoke Seals

• Confirm intumescent strips are present and continuous around the door edge or frame rebate. These strips expand in heat to seal the gap between the door and frame.
• Check that smoke seals (cold smoke seals) are fitted and in good condition. These are often combined with the intumescent strip.
• Strips should not be painted over, damaged, or missing sections.

4. Gaps and Clearances

• The gap between the door and frame should be no more than 3-4mm on the hinge side, lock side, and top edge when the door is closed.
• The gap at the bottom (threshold) should be no more than 8mm, or 3mm if a smoke seal is required at the threshold.
• Use a gap gauge — a set costs a few pounds and removes any guesswork.

5. Hinges

• Fire doors should have at least three CE/UKCA-marked hinges rated to the same duration as the door.
• Check that all hinge screws are present and tight. Missing screws are one of the most common defects.
• The door should swing freely without binding or dropping.

6. Self-Closing Device

• The door must close fully into the frame from any open angle, latching without manual assistance. Open the door fully and let go — it must close and latch on its own.
• Check overhead closers for leaks (oil drip marks) or damage. A closer that can't pull the door fully shut is a fail.
• Rising butt hinges are not acceptable as the sole self-closing device on a flat entrance fire door under the 2022 Regulations.

7. Hardware and Signage

• Locks, latches, and handles should be secure and functioning. The latch must engage fully when the door closes.
• Letter plates, if fitted, should be fire-rated and no larger than 260mm × 40mm, with an intumescent liner.
• "Fire Door — Keep Shut" signage should be present on the room side of communal fire doors (not always required on flat entrance doors, but good practice).

Common Failures You'll Find Again and Again

After hundreds of inspections, you'll notice the same problems recurring:

1. Missing or painted-over intumescent strips — especially in older buildings where doors have been redecorated many times.
2. Excessive gaps — caused by the door or frame shifting over time, or the door being planed to fix a sticking problem.
3. Failed self-closers — worn-out overhead closers that can't latch the door, or closers adjusted too weak by residents who find them inconvenient.
4. Unauthorised modifications — cat flaps, non-fire-rated letter plates, spy holes drilled without intumescent protection, and additional locks fitted without fire-rated backing.
5. Missing hinge screws — a surprisingly common and easily fixed defect.

How to Record Your Inspections

Good documentation protects the building, the responsible person, and you. Every inspection should generate a clear record that includes:

• Date and time of inspection.
• Building and door identification — floor, flat number or door reference. Photograph the door if possible.
• Inspector details — your name, company, and qualifications or scheme membership.
• Checklist results — each item checked with a pass/fail/advisory outcome.
• Defects found — described clearly with photographs. Note the severity: does the defect mean the door will not provide its rated fire performance?
• Recommended remedial actions — what needs fixing, and how urgently. Critical defects (door won't close, large gaps, missing intumescent) should be flagged for immediate action.
• Follow-up confirmation — record when defects have been remedied and by whom.

Paper checklists work, but digital records are far easier to manage, search, and share with clients. Using a tool like CertBox lets you generate standardised inspection records, attach photos, and keep an auditable history that a fire risk assessor or enforcing authority can review at any time.

Prioritising Remedial Work

Not every defect carries the same risk. Use a simple priority system in your reports:

• Critical (immediate action) — door won't close and latch, large gaps, missing intumescent on multiple edges, door leaf compromised. The door cannot be relied upon in a fire.
• High (action within 1 week) — closer not latching reliably, one or two missing hinge screws, damaged smoke seals.
• Medium (action within 1 month) — minor gap issues, signage missing, cosmetic damage that doesn't yet affect performance.
• Advisory — items to monitor at the next inspection, such as early wear on seals or slight frame movement.

Further Resources

• Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — GOV.UK
• Building Fire Regulatory Framework
• FDIS — Fire Door Inspection Scheme
• BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme

Published 2026-07-06. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.