Fire door inspections are simply an inspection of a fire door to ensure that it functions correctly by restricting the spread of fire and smoke. Inspections can vary from simple 5 point checks up to 30 plus-point checks. When checking a door, the areas which are surveyed can include the gaps around the door, damage, certification, fixtures and fittings, seals, and hinges. A fire door inspection should take into consideration things like whether the door closes effectively within its frame, from different angles.

Third-party certification of fire doors and door sets provides crucial evidence that a fire door, when correctly installed and maintained, is fit for purpose, and complies with fire door regulations and British Standards, designed to protect lives and property.

Fire doors are designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke from one compartment to another. Doors vary in fire resistance therefore different types of doors are required for certain areas of higher risk e.g., plant rooms.

Yes, under Article 8 of the Fire Safety Order, they would be considered part of maintaining the “General Fire Precautions”.

Not all fire doors need to be self-closing as some doors may be locked shut. Most doors within escape routes or protecting staircases will be self-closing to protect such areas from fire and smoke.

Depending on the specification of the door the fire resistance may vary. See below list of different types.

FD30 – 30 minutes fire resistance
FD60 – 60 minutes fire resistance
FD90 – 90 minutes fire resistance
FD120 – 120 minutes fire resistance

Where the suffix “s” is added (FD30s) the s denotes that intumescent strips and seals are fitted.

Normally to protect an escape route or separate the building into fire compartments, to limit fire and smoke spread, so that occupants have enough time to make their safe escape. This is why fire doors are normally required at the top and bottom of staircase enclosures. Greater protection is normally required in buildings where people sleep e.g. hotels and blocks of flats.

Normally to protect staircases as above, or subdivide corridors and protect high risk rooms such as plant rooms and lift motor rooms.

Fire doors are not designed to be wedged open and can cause doors to warp and be ill fitting within their frame. There are a number of approved hold open devices that can be used.

Following the introduction of the fire safety England regulations, doors in residential buildings over 11m in height are now required to conduct communal fire door inspections 4 times a year (quarterly) flat entrance doors are required to be inspected once a year on a best endeavours basis.

Fire doors should be installed as a fire door set and installed by a 3rd party competent installer.