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Fire Door Inspections
A fire door that does not close properly is not protecting anyone. When did you last have yours inspected?
Specialist fire door inspections and audits for businesses, landlords and property managers across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London.
Fire Door Inspections & Surveys
Why fire doors matter
Fire doors are not ordinary doors. They are a critical part of your building’s passive fire protection. When they work properly, they contain fire and smoke within the compartment where it started, buying time for occupants to escape and giving the fire and rescue service the best possible chance to intervene.
But they only work if they are in good condition.
A door that does not close fully, a seal that has been damaged, a gap that is too wide, a closer that has been removed or broken, any one of these means the door will not perform as designed when it is needed most.
And the problem is that most fire door defects are not obvious to the untrained eye.
They accumulate over time, through everyday use, through wear and tear, and through maintenance works that disturb the door and its components without proper reinstatement.
Regular fire door inspections catch these problems before they become dangerous.
Who is responsible?
If you own, manage or are responsible for a building, the legal duty is yours.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person is required to ensure that fire doors are properly installed, regularly inspected and maintained in good working order.
That applies to commercial premises, HMOs, blocks of flats, schools, care homes and any building with fire doors forming part of the fire safety strategy.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 extended those duties further, making the condition of fire doors in blocks of flats a specific legal obligation for Responsible Persons and building managers.
Getting it wrong has consequences. An enforcement notice, a prohibition order, or in serious cases, prosecution.
More importantly, a fire door that fails in a fire can cost lives.
What a fire door inspection involves
Our fire door inspections are carried out to BS 8214 by qualified and experienced fire safety professionals.
We inspect each fire door systematically, checking every element that affects its ability to perform in a fire.
That includes:- The door leaf and frame for damage, warping or deterioration.
- Gap tolerances around all four sides and the bottom of the door.
- The condition and integrity of intumescent and smoke seals.
- The self-closing device, checking it closes the door fully and latches correctly without assistance.
- Hinges and ironmongery for condition and correct specification.
- Fire-rated glazing and vision panels where present.
- Correct signage and certification labels.
Where defects are identified, they are documented with their precise location, a description of the issue, photographic evidence, a risk rating and a clear recommendation for the remedial action required.
What you get
Following the inspection you receive a clear, written report covering every fire door inspected.
Each deficiency is documented with photos and a prioritised action plan so you know exactly what needs to be done and in what order.
The report gives you the evidence you need to demonstrate compliance with your legal obligations, to brief contractors on remedial works, and to update your fire risk assessment with an accurate picture of the condition of your passive fire protection.
No jargon. No unnecessary complexity. Just a clear record of what we found and what needs to happen.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
As a minimum, fire doors in most commercial and non-domestic buildings should be inspected every six months.
In high-traffic areas or buildings with vulnerable occupants such as care homes or schools, more frequent inspections are advisable.
For blocks of flats, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require Responsible Persons to undertake quarterly checks of fire doors in communal areas and annual checks of flat entrance doors where access can be arranged.
Who we work with
We carry out fire door inspections for businesses, landlords, managing agents, facilities managers and building owners across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London.
Whether you have a handful of fire doors in a small commercial premises or hundreds across a large residential estate, we provide the same thorough, qualified inspection and the same clear, actionable report.
A fire door only works if it works properly. When did you last have yours checked?
A fire door that fails in a fire is not a fire door. It is a liability.
Most fire door defects are not obvious until someone who knows what they are looking for goes in and checks.
By then, if there has been a fire, it is too late.
Regular, qualified fire door inspections are the only way to know your doors will perform when they are needed most and that you are meeting your legal obligations as a Responsible Person.
Get in touch today and we will tell you exactly where your fire doors stand.
Speak to Jamie about your fire door inspection.
Most of the landlords and building managers we work with come to us unsure about the condition of their fire doors and what their legal obligations actually require.
That is exactly what we are here for. Tell us about your building and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
📞 Prefer to speak to us directly? Call us at 01276 300 351
📧 Or email us at office@esifiresafety.co.uk
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what to expect from a fire door inspection?
Here are the answers to the questions we hear most often from building owners, managing agents, and responsible persons.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
In high-traffic areas or buildings with vulnerable occupants, more frequent checks are advisable.
For blocks of flats, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 set specific requirements for quarterly communal area checks and annual flat entrance door inspections.
Are fire door inspections a legal requirement?
This applies to all non-domestic premises, HMOs, and blocks of flats with shared areas. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines or prosecution.
What is the difference between a fire door inspection and a fire door survey?
In practice, an inspection typically refers to the assessment of individual doors, while a survey refers to a more comprehensive assessment of all fire doors across a building or estate.
Both involve the same detailed checks and produce a written report with findings and recommendations.
What are the most common defects found during a fire door inspection?
Even minor defects can significantly affect a door's ability to contain fire and smoke.
Do you carry out remedial works as well as inspections?
Our role is to inspect, report and advise.
Where remedial works are required, our report will set out exactly what is needed so you can brief an appropriate contractor.
We can advise on specification and, if needed, recommend suitably qualified contractors.
Can you inspect fire doors in blocks of flats?
Our reports are structured to meet the requirements of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
