The Importance of Regular Fire Door Inspections
Fire doors are one of the most crucial elements of a building’s fire safety plan. They play a vital role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, ensuring occupants can safely evacuate in the event of an emergency. However, fire doors are only effective if they are properly maintained and in good working condition.
As a property owner or manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure that fire doors are inspected regularly, maintained, and repaired when needed. Failing to do so can have serious consequences, both in terms of safety and legal compliance.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why regular fire door inspections are essential, what to look out for, and how to ensure your building remains safe and compliant.
Why Fire Door Inspections Are Crucial
Fire doors are designed to contain fire and smoke within a specific area, preventing them from spreading throughout the building. This gives people more time to evacuate and helps reduce property damage.
But over time, fire doors can suffer wear and tear. Whether it’s due to daily use, environmental factors, or accidental damage, fire doors can lose their ability to function effectively if not regularly maintained. Even a small issue—such as a door that doesn’t close properly or a damaged seal—can compromise the safety of everyone in the building.
What We Look for During Fire Door Inspections
To keep fire doors working at their best, regular inspections are a must. Some key elements to inspect include:
Gaps Around the Door: Any gaps around the door, especially at the edges or the threshold, can allow smoke and fire to pass through. These gaps must be 4mm or less (or less that 8mm for threshold gaps).
Hinges and Hardware: Check that the door opens and closes smoothly. Damaged or broken hinges can prevent the door from closing properly, rendering it ineffective in a fire. Fire rated hardware and hinges must always be used.
Door Integrity: Look for cracks, splits, or signs of warping in the door itself. A damaged door will lose its fire-resisting capabilities.
Door Closing Mechanisms: The door closer should work correctly, ensuring the door shuts firmly, in good time, and remains closed when it’s not in use.
Fire Door Glazing: If the door has any glazing or windows, check that they’re intact, not cracked and fire rated glass and sealing has been used.
Intumescent Strips: These are fire-resistant seals around the edges of the door that expand when exposed to heat, preventing the spread of fire. If these strips are damaged or missing, the door’s protective abilities are compromised.
Legal Obligations and Compliance
As the owner or facilities manager of a multi-occupancy building, you have a legal obligation to ensure that fire doors are in proper working order. According to the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety Regulations 2022, fire doors must be part of your regular fire safety assessments. The law also specifies that fire doors in communal areas of residential buildings, and flat front doors, must be checked regularly to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Failure to comply with fire safety regulations can result in significant fines, as well as criminal liability if the safety of building occupants is compromised in the event of a fire. Regular fire door inspections are not just about meeting legal obligations—they’re about protecting lives and ensuring the safety of everyone in the building.
How R2R Can Help
At R2R, we specialise in fire door inspections, repairs, and replacements. Our experienced contractors know exactly what to look for, ensuring that all fire doors in your building meet the required fire safety standards. We use a QR code system when surveying doors, making it easy for our clients to have 'The Golden Thread' of information for every fire door in the property.
We’re BM Trada accredited, meaning we adhere to the highest standards of fire door safety.
Whether you need a routine inspection or immediate repairs, our team is here to ensure that your fire doors are always in top condition.
Contact R2R today to schedule an inspection and keep your building safe and compliant.
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