When was the last time your fire doors were properly checked? In many buildings, these most critical of safety features aren’t being inspected and maintained as regularly as they should be.
Fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving people time to escape, containing fire, and helping emergency services do their job.
But like any safety system, they only work if they’re properly maintained – and that starts with regular inspections.
So, how often should you be checking your fire doors? The answer depends on your building type, usage and legal responsibilities. Read on to find out everything you need to know.
Why Regular Fire Door Checks Matter
Fire doors take a lot of wear and tear. Whether they’re in constant use in a busy corridor or standing guard in a quiet stairwell, their components – including hinges, seals, closers, and latches – can deteriorate over time.
Damage, warping, or minor misalignments may not be obvious at first glance. However, these defects can drastically reduce the effectiveness of your fire doors in a real-life emergency.
A fire door that doesn’t close properly, has gaps that are too wide or is missing intumescent seals will not perform as it should. And in a real fire, that can potentially put lives at risk.
What Are The Legal Requirements For Fire Door Checks in the UK?
In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places legal duties on the “Responsible Person” in a building. This is usually the owner, facilities manager, or landlord. This includes making sure that fire safety measures, including fire doors, are in good working condition.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, government guidance and industry best practice recommend that fire doors should be inspected:
- Every six months for general buildings such as offices or schools.
- Quarterly or even monthly in higher-risk environments such as hospitals, hotels, or residential buildings with vulnerable occupants.
- More frequently for high-traffic doors or doors showing signs of wear.
It’s also good practice to inspect new builds or newly refurbished buildings more regularly, just so that any ‘snagging’ issues can be caught and fixed early.
What Should Be Checked?
Fire door inspections aim to ensure that each component will do its job in a fire.
Checks should include the following:
- Door gaps – if they’re too wide, they’ll let smoke through, but too tight and the door may not close properly.
- Intumescent seals – these expand in heat to seal gaps and must be undamaged and correctly fitted.
- Hinges and fixings – these should be secure, undamaged and fully operational.
- Self-closing devices – the door must close fully and latch without assistance.
- Door leaf and frame – this should be free of warping, cracking and holes.
- Signage – fire doors must be properly labelled with compliant signs.
Even if your doors look fine, booking in regular fire door inspections is a smart, low-effort safety win.
DIY Checks vs. Professional Inspections
While trained staff can carry out routine visual inspections, it’s important to back this up with professional fire door inspections at regular intervals.
Certified inspectors understand current legislation and know what to look for beyond the obvious. They’ll provide documented reports, which not only help with compliance but also give you a clear action plan if any doors need repair or replacement.
Don’t Wait for a Problem
A common mistake is assuming fire doors are fine unless there’s an obvious issue. But problems often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Inspections catch faults early, keep you compliant with fire safety laws and protect the people who live or work in your building.
The reality is that fire door checks aren’t just about avoiding fines or satisfying insurers. They’re really about saving lives. And with inspection services readily available, there’s really no excuse for letting them slide.