Fire Door Inspections.
Our appointed fire door inspectors will conduct comprehensive, non-destructive fire door survey and deliver a detailed report on the condition of the entire doorset. The report will outline their existing condition and adequacy of the fire doorsets, and where necessary, recommend improvements that should be undertaken in order to make your buildings compliant with statutory requirements and best practice guidance, or to meet a specific business resilience objective.
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Fire doors are a crucial component in protecting lives and property during a fire emergency. Their primary function is to contain the spread of fire and smoke, providing essential time for occupants to evacuate safely and for fire services to respond effectively.
The importance of regular fire door inspections cannot be overstated. An inspection ensures that fire doors are functioning correctly and are free from damage that could compromise their integrity. It involves checking for proper installation, ensuring that components like seals and hinges are intact, and verifying that doors close and latch properly without obstruction.
What's Included Within A Fire Door Inspection.
Comprehensive visual inspection of each fire resisting doorset including:​
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​Fire door signage.
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Condition and operation of any hold open devices.
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Fire door closing devices and their ability to effectively close the doorsets.
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Check for relevant markings, for example from the British Woodworking Federation to identify the fire rating of the doorset.
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An inspection of the locks and latches to ensure they are operational.
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An inspection of any vision panels, glazing, and review of their suitability.
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An inspection of the cold smoke seals, and intumescent strips
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An assessment on the fire resisting qualities of the doorset, including its thickness
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A review of the gaps between the leaf and frame – including the threshold for suitability.
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A visual inspection of the fire door frame.
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A visual inspection of the door leaf.
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A review of the materials used in the installation of the doorset.
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The condition, fitting, and operation of the hinges and hardware.
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The fire resisting qualities of the fire door hinges and all door hardware.
New Fire Door Check Regulations For Multi-Occupied Residential Buildings.
Updated Fire Door Regulations for Multi-Occupied Residential Buildings.
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The new regulations apply to multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height. The responsible persons are required to undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common parts and an annual check of the flat entrance doors that lead onto the building's common parts.
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Routine checking of fire doors: what you need to do:
Regulation 10 requires that, if the top storey of the building is above 11m in height (typically, a building of more than four storeys) the Responsible Person must:
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use best endeavours to check all flat entrance fire doors at least every 12 months; and
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carry out checks of any fire doors in communal areas at least every 3 months.
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Regulation 10 requires that, over every 12 month period, you keep a record of the steps taken to check flat entrance doors. In any cases when access to a flat was not granted, this must also be detailed. Ultimately, you might need to consider legal action if a resident persistently refuses to cooperate with these checks. It may be useful to pre-plan the checks that need to be undertaken. For example, this could take the form of a checklist, on which you can record the outcome of each check. A sample checklist is included as an appendix to this guide. You could also use electronic means to plan and record checks.
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Doors to plant rooms, service cupboards and risers.
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These doors should also be checked at least every three months. Caution should be exercised to ensure that entry into any of these areas can be carried out safely by those involved, taking into account any findings of the relevant health and safety risk assessment.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE DOOR INSPECTIONS.
In order to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire door installation and maintenance is a key requirement for every business to which the Order applies.
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BS 9999 (BS9999 provides recommendations and guidance about the design, management and use of buildings) recommends that fire doors should be inspected every 6 months. Whilst British Standards are not legal requirements, it is worth bearing in mind that they provide the best and most up-to-date guidance.
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​BS 9999 also specifies that doors may require more regular inspection depending on their location and usage. A door with high traffic may be more prone to wear and tear and therefore requires more frequent inspection.
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Types Of Fire Door Inspection.
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Type 1: Compliance Inspection.
Type 1: This is a prescriptive evaluation, encompassing invasive elements, typically conducted during the installation process or shortly after the doors have been fitted. The purpose is to verify that they conform to specified requirements and meet Building Regulations, along with other necessary standards.
This assessment usually involves a thorough comparison of the installed components against the specification details and the manufacturer’s UKAS-accredited or equivalent performance evidence, ensuring compliance and identifying any potential issues.
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Type 2: Compliance Inspections of EXISTING Installations.
Type 2: This inspection is characterized by its robust yet pragmatic and flexible approach.
It may involve purely visual assessments or incorporate invasive elements, and is conducted on existing fire doors within occupied buildings, where performance evidence is frequently lacking or minimal information is available.
The primary objective of this evaluation is to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (referred to as the FSO). It aims to determine whether the condition of each fire door is adequate and appropriate for fulfilling and sustaining the requirements outlined in the building’s fire risk assessment and evacuation strategy, ultimately ensuring the safety of occupants during a fire emergency.
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Type 3: Maintenance inspection for recently compliant doors.
Type 3: This inspection is performed on fire doors that have previously undergone Type 1 or Type 2 assessments, confirming that they meet or have met the required fire compliance standards and that an audit trail is available.
Commonly referred to as a ‘PPM check,’ this type of evaluation aims to ensure that compliant fire doors are maintained to a recognised functional standard. This is in accordance with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations and the FSO, specifically under Articles 17 and 38, which mandate that fire doors are systematically managed and maintained efficiently to minimise life safety risks.
How often should Fire Doors be checked?
Consistent inspections and maintenance are essential to guarantee that your fire doors remain compliant and serve their intended purpose. This process should be regarded with the same importance as the routine testing of fire alarms or extinguishers. Given the effects of regular use, traffic flow, and natural wear and tear, it is crucial that all fire doors be evaluated by a designated competent individual or contractor every six months to confirm their proper functionality. Any defects, damages, or malfunctions must be reported and addressed without delay.
Covering the United Kingdom For Fire Door Inspections And Surveys.
In 2019, FDIS found that 76% of the fire doors it inspected were condemned as not fit for purpose.
