Fire Door Inspection in the UK

Fire doors are an essential part of fire safety in any building. They help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, and can help to save lives. In the UK, there are regulations that govern the inspection of fire doors.

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Fire Differences between commercial premises and households

Inspection in the UK

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that The Responsible Person must ensure that all safety equipment provided is properly maintained and kept in good working order. This requirement applies to fire doors. In addition, Under Regulation 38, regular audits must be conducted on all fire-resistant doors in the building. For standard occupancy, perform these inspections every six months. In busy buildings, increase the frequency to every three months. Ensure proper documentation by logging the date, time, work details, and inspection results.

The regulations for fire door inspection are different for commercial premises and households. For commercial premises, the responsible person (usually the owner or manager) is required to have a fire risk assessment carried out. This assessment will identify the fire doors that need to be inspected, and the frequency of inspection.

Residential

As of 23 January 2023, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 will make it a legal requirement for ‘responsible persons’ for all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to:

Undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts
Undertake – on a ‘best endeavour’ basis – annual checks of all flat entrance doors (including self-closing devices) that lead onto a building’s common parts

Regulations

The main regulations that govern fire door inspection in the UK are:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Building Regulations 2010
The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS)

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out the general requirements for fire safety in non-domestic premises. This includes the requirement to have fire doors that are in good working order.

The Building Regulations 2010 set out the specific requirements for fire doors in new buildings. These requirements include the fire rating of the door, the type of door hardware, and the installation of the door.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is a voluntary scheme that provides a framework for the inspection of fire doors. The scheme includes a set of standards that fire doors must meet in order to be certified.

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What every flat owner should know about fire door inspection

If you are a flat owner, there are a few things you should know about fire door inspection:

You are responsible for the fire safety of your flat. This includes ensuring that the fire doors are in good working order.
You should have the fire doors in your flat inspected on a regular basis. The frequency of inspection will depend on the type of fire door and the level of risk.
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What every business owner should know about fire door inspection

Here are some things that every business owner should know about fire door inspection:

Fire doors should be inspected at least every six months. This is the minimum requirement in most jurisdictions. However, if your fire doors are used heavily, you may need to inspect them more often.
The inspection should be carried out by a competent person. This means someone who is qualified to assess the condition of fire doors and identify any potential problems.
The inspection should include a visual check of the door, the hinges, the hardware, and the seals. The inspector should also check that the door closes properly and that there are no signs of damage or wear.
If any problems are found, they should be rectified as soon as possible. This could involve repairing or replacing the door, or making adjustments to the way it is used.

Conclusion

Fire door inspection is an important part of fire safety. By inspecting your fire doors on a regular basis, you can help to ensure that they are in good working order and that they will provide effective protection in the event of a fire.

Here are some additional tips for fire door inspection:

Look for any signs of damage or wear.
Check that the door closes properly and that the self-closing device is working.
Check that the door seals are in good condition.
Check that the hinges and latches are in good working order.

If you find any problems with your fire doors, you should have them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. By taking these steps, you can help to keep your building safe from fire.