Fire doors might look just like any other door, but they play one of the most critical roles in protecting life and property in the event of a fire.
In fact, they’re often the difference between a safe evacuation and a fire that spreads out of control.
So why exactly are fire doors so important—and what makes them such a key part of your building’s fire safety strategy?
Let’s find out.
They Slow the Spread of Fire and Smoke
The main purpose of a fire door is to compartmentalise a building. That means containing a fire in one area for long enough to:
- Allow people to safely escape
- Limit smoke inhalation and visibility risks
- Prevent fire from reaching escape routes too quickly
- Minimise damage to other parts of the building
Fire doors are built to resist fire for a set period—usually 30 (FD30) or 60 (FD60) minutes. That time is crucial. It buys the fire service more time to respond and gives occupants more time to evacuate.
Without fire doors, flames and smoke can spread unchecked through corridors, stairwells, and open-plan areas—putting lives at risk within minutes.
They Protect Escape Routes
In most buildings, especially blocks of flats, HMOs and commercial properties, fire doors are installed along escape routes, including:
- Communal hallways
- Stairwells
- Corridors
- Office floor sections
- Between fire-risk areas like kitchens and storage rooms
By keeping these doors closed, fire doors help to maintain clear, smoke-free paths for evacuation, even if a fire breaks out in a nearby area.
This is especially vital in buildings with vulnerable occupants, such as care homes or schools, where evacuation may take longer.
They’re a Legal Requirement
In the UK, fire doors are required by law under:
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Building Regulations Approved Document B
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 for residential buildings over 11m
These regulations require that:
- Fire doors are correctly installed and certified
- They are regularly inspected and maintained
- They are kept closed and unobstructed
- They are placed at strategic points according to the fire risk assessment
Failing to comply with fire door requirements can result in prosecution, invalid insurance, and potentially fatal consequences in the event of a fire.
They Help Protect Property
While life safety is the top priority, fire doors also provide property protection. By slowing down the spread of fire, they limit structural damage, reduce repair costs, and can prevent entire floors or buildings from being lost.
For landlords, business owners, and facilities managers, properly installed and maintained fire doors can protect your investment—and reduce business interruption after a fire.
They Only Work If Maintained
A fire door is only as good as its weakest part. Unfortunately, many fire doors fail to perform in an emergency because of:
- Gaps that are too wide
- Damaged or missing intumescent seals
- Faulty or missing closers
- Being propped open
- Uncertified or incompatible hardware
That’s why regular fire door inspections are essential. Just like fire alarms or extinguishers, fire doors are safety equipment—and need routine checks and maintenance.
They Are Especially Critical in Flats and HMOs
In residential blocks, fire doors are not only found in communal areas—they’re also often installed on flat entrance doors to:
- Protect escape corridors if a fire starts inside a flat
- Prevent a fire in the hallway from reaching people inside
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons in buildings over 11 metres in height must now:
- Check flat entrance doors at least once a year
- Check communal fire doors every 3 months
This is a legal obligation and should form part of your overall fire risk assessment.
How ESI Can Help
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help businesses, landlords, schools, housing associations and managing agents across Farnborough, Camberley, Reading, Guildford, and surrounding areas stay compliant and safe.
We offer:
- Fire door inspections and reporting
- Advice on installation, repair, and compliance
- Support for HMOs, commercial buildings, and multi-occupancy premises
- Scheduled maintenance plans
If you’re not sure whether your fire doors are up to standard—or you’ve never had them professionally inspected—now is the time to act.
Contact ESI today to schedule your fire door check and keep your building, staff and residents protected.Tools
