Are Fire Door Inspections A Legal Requirement?

A fire door is an essential piece of fire safety equipment in any building. It can help to contain a fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas, therefore providing occupants with a safe passage out of the building. They are often the first line of defence against fire and smoke and ensure that there is a safe exit route for anyone within the building.

As fire doors are so important, they need to be carefully maintained so that they can do their job when needed. This means that fire door inspections need to be carried out on a regular basis to ensure that they are functioning correctly and to identify any repairs or changes that need to be made.

Here, Fire Door Specialists look at why fire door inspections are so important, what they should involve, and whether they are a legal requirement.

How does a fire door inspection work?

Fire door inspections can be intrusive or non-intrusive. A non-intrusive inspection involves only checking what you can see without needing to take anything apart.

It tends to be a much quicker type of assessment and does not create any damage and so tends to be the preferred option. However, it does mean that the results of the inspection can sometimes be limited.

Alternatively, an intrusive inspection might be required. This involves removing the architraves, checking the linear gap seal and sometimes dismantling the ironmongery to check for correct intumescent protection. These are a good option for any newly installed doors if the architraves have not yet been fitted.

Once you know which type of inspection is required, you will need to obtain a certificate data sheet, technical manual for the door, and site plans or drawings. There are then particular components which must be thoroughly inspected:

The door frame

This must be installed in accordance with the door leaf manufacturer’s installation instructions which should detail the frame material, jointing type, sectional size and fixing methods.

You will need to check how the frame has been jointed, what it is made from and the position of the frame and wall fixings. You should also check for any defects such as gaps, cracks or damage that might allow smoke or fire to escape.

The door leaf

This is one of the most important components of a fire door, so you need to check whether it is damaged, bowed or twisted. Depending on the extent of the damage, this may need to be replaced.

Door leaf gaps

Generally speaking, the gap at the meeting edge of double leaf doors should be between 2-4 mm. The threshold gap between the door and the floor is typically 8-10 mm, but in the case of doors that are required to stop fire and smoke, this is reduced to 3 mm.

Hinges

The hinges must be able to cope with the significant weight that a fire door presents. The hinges also need to be fire rated with the melting point above 800° C. You need to check how many hinges are in place, whether there is any excessive black oil, as well as the knuckle diameter, blade size, and the gauge and length of the fixing screws.

Glazing

If the fire door contains glazing, then its purpose is to provide vision through the door leaf. It is essential that you check whether the glazing is fire rated and then look for signs of damage or retrofit. You also need to check the type of glazing, beading and any gasket visible between the glass and the beads.

Self-closing device

Self closing devices are on most fire doors located in non-domestic buildings. There needs to be evidence showing that they can perform in a fire and be compatible with the door leaf certification. You should then check for any damage and ensure that it closes fully against the rebate stop and whether it is in the correct position.

Lock or latch

Some doors will come with a lock or latch installed. If the door is unlatched, you should check to see if it's suitable to be used that way. You should record the type of lock or latch that has been fitted, any markings that it has, and its dimensions and position. You also need to check whether it is fitted and working correctly and for any signs of visible damage.

Who is responsible for inspecting a fire door?

According to the UK Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsibility for fire door inspection lies with the building owner or responsible person. Checking a fire door is an incredibly important task so it is often advisable to entrust this responsibility to a qualified professional.

A certified fire door inspector will be able to properly assess the condition of the fire door, identify any potential issues and recommend any remedial action that is needed.

The British Standard BS 9999 recommends that fire doors in all buildings should be inspected at least every six months for common property doors and every 12 months for sole occupancy doors. However, if the door is located in a high-traffic area, then more frequent inspections may be necessary.

Is a fire door inspection a legal requirement?

Fire doors are legally required in high-rise buildings, commercial properties and high-risk buildings like hospitals and care homes. It is essential that these doors are subject to regular risk assessments, and failure to comply with the UK regulations in Approved Document B and BS 8214 could result in legal action against the responsible person in the event of a fire.

When it comes to fire safety, it is essential that anyone in charge of a building understands what their legal requirements are. It is then possible to organise the correct fire door inspections, to ensure that they are carried out properly and professionally. This then gives everybody the peace of mind that they will be kept safe within the building and can have an effective evacuation route if a fire occurs.