How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?

Fire doors are a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection system. Designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, they protect escape routes and help safeguard both occupants and property. However, their effectiveness depends on regular inspection and maintenance.

Why Regular Fire Door Inspections Matter

Over time, fire doors can be affected by everyday wear and tear, environmental conditions, or changes to how a building is used. Issues such as damaged seals, loose hinges, or misaligned doors can significantly reduce their performance in a fire.

Routine inspections help identify these problems early, ensuring fire doors continue to operate as intended when they are needed most.

What Do Regulations Recommend?

In the UK, fire door maintenance falls under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places responsibility on the building owner or Responsible Person to ensure fire safety measures are properly maintained.

Additional guidance includes:

Residential buildings over 11 metres (typically more than four storeys):

• Flat entrance fire doors should be checked at least annually
• Fire doors in communal areas should be inspected every three months

Other buildings (commercial and industrial):

According to BS 9999, recommended inspection intervals are:

• Every six months for communal or common area fire doors
• Annually for doors serving a single occupancy area

Higher-risk environments or high-traffic areas may require more frequent checks.

Who Should Carry Out Fire Door Inspections?

Fire door inspections should be conducted by a competent person with appropriate training and experience. Many organisations choose certified inspectors to ensure compliance and accuracy.

One recognised qualification is the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), developed by the British Woodworking Federation, which certifies professionals to assess fire door condition and performance.

What Should a Fire Door Inspection Include?

A professional fire door inspection typically covers:

• Visual and functional checks – examining the door, frame and gaps, and ensuring the door closes and latches correctly
• Seal inspection – checking intumescent and smoke seals for damage or deterioration
• Hardware assessment – ensuring hinges, handles, locks and closers function correctly
• Documentation – providing detailed inspection reports for compliance and records
• Maintenance recommendations – highlighting any repairs or remedial actions required

Managing Your Fire Doors with Fireco

Fireco provides a complete fire door management service, including inspection, supply and installation.

All inspections are carried out using DorTrak, Fireco’s purpose-built digital inspection software.

DorTrak enables:

• Paperless fire door inspections
• Instant digital reports delivered on-site
• Bespoke floor mapping with customised door references
• Efficient reporting to save time and cost
• Secure digital records to support compliance

Please note: every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication.