The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states the Responsible Person for
non-domestic buildings must ensure fire doors and frames are correctly installed so
they can effectively prevent the spread of fire. The integrity of a fire door is
also affected by its hardware (e.g. hinges, closers, handles / locks). It can be
difficult for those unfamiliar with the standards to determine whether a fire door
is suitable, especially for buildings where older fire doors that were previously
compliant have been installed and may have been modified or damaged over time.
For peace of mind, our qualified inspectors will assess your fire doors, frames and
associated hardware to ensure they are fit for purpose and will provide adequate
protection against the spread of fire. They will also provide a clear report
detailing which doors are compliant and whether any further action is required.
• Nationwide service carried out by 3rd party certified inspectors
• Your fire door inspection will include:
• A visit from our certified inspectors
• Comprehensive inspection of your fire doors, frames and associated
hardware
• Identification of fire doors which are compliant and non-compliant
• Full report detailing findings of the inspection and any further action
required
• Effective fire doors are a legal requirement for the majority of non-
domestic premises
• The door, frame, and hardware must all be considered to ensure
compliance
• Safelincs Fire Door Terms & Conditions apply
Please note: This service is for the inspection of existing fire doors to assess
their compliance with current regulations and legislation. Should you require a
different service, please view our other fire door services or speak to a member of
our team.
Maintaining your fire doors is a simple and straightforward process. Although, it
is advised that you have a plan to inspect them. A regularly maintained fire door
will save lives and properties by providing a suitable escape route, preventing
fire, and spreading smoke in a fire outbreak. You owe it to every person stepping
into your building and their families to maintain your fire doors. This is a moral
and legal obligation. If you want to maintain your fire doors effectively, you
should be familiar with these five principles.
The legal requirement for fire door maintenance
According to the Fire Safety Order, all fire-rated doors must be correctly
installed and properly maintained. Failure to adhere to this legal obligation means
that your doors will be considered unfit for purpose, and you have breached the
safety order. This could lead to prosecution or the closure of your building.
Please visit the Fire Door Inspection Scheme for more information on ensuring your
door complies with the regulation.
Checks need to be conducted every six months.
Fire door maintenance doesn’t have to be daily, but you should plan to conduct an
inspection every six months or once a quarter in a newly occupied building. If it’s
a busy building where fire doors are regularly used, it is good practice to check
for damages weekly. Remember to keep inspection records and encourage staff to
report any issues.
Checking a fire door and frameset
When conducting an inspection, ensure the job is carried out thoroughly to comply
with regulations. This involves ensuring the gap between the door frame, and the
door is right, and the seals are not damaged. The gap around the door frame should
be about 3-4mm all the way around. Ideally, a pound coin can be used to check the
gap around the door. Also, the signage should be correct, and the transfer grille
should be free of blockage. Check that the smoke seals are in good condition and
fit the entire length of the door whilst being secure in the groove. If seals are
incorrectly fitted or damaged, they should be replaced with the same size and
intumescent material that was specified originally. If smoke seals have to be
replaced, these should be fitted in a continuous length if possible.
Fixing Found Faults
If your inspection reveals that your fire doors need repairing, then you should do
it as soon as possible. Ensure that any replaced components are compatible with the
door and the right tools were used to conduct repairs. If you are unsure of any
components, check your fire door certificate data sheet or contact the
manufacturer. When checking for faults, ensure that your fire door is in a fully
closed position and the door seals are correctly in the door frame when not in use.
To check this
• Open the door fully and check that it closes without
dragging across the floor
• Open the door to approximately 5 – 10 degrees wide and
check that it properly closes, engaging any seal or latch.
• The door closing speed should be five seconds from a 90-
degree angle, ensuring that it does not slam shut.
• Hinges should be screwed firmly into the door frame with no
visible marks, wear or stains around the hinge knuckle.
• If you have multiple fire doors, it might be a good idea to
buy a digital force gauge that helps you to identify the opening and closing
forces.
Certification
Fire doors should meet the British Standard EN 12519 and be marked and certified
tested by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF). This label should be placed at
the top of the door or just below the door set hinge. The label should not be
painted over or tampered with as it invalidates its certification. If the label is
damaged, contact the manufacturer immediately.
For guidance on a number of risk management subjects along with our comprehensive
Fire Door Guide, which gives further information on the specification and
maintenance of Fire Doors, subscribe to our newsletter.
