A fire door only works if it closes properly and its seals and gaps are right. A door wedged open, a broken closer or a damaged seal can let fire and smoke spread through a building in minutes. That is why regular, recorded fire door checks matter in every type of building - and why some buildings now have specific legal checking duties.
What does the law require?
In England, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 made fire door checks a specific legal requirement from 23 January 2023 for responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres high. They must:
- Carry out quarterly checks of all fire doors, including self-closing devices, in the communal areas
- Use best endeavours to carry out annual checks of flat entrance doors
- Give residents information about the importance of fire doors
For workplaces and other premises, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to keep fire safety measures, including fire doors, maintained in efficient working order and good repair. Regular recorded checks, set by your fire risk assessment, are the practical way to show this.
A simple fire door checklist
- Closing - does the door close fully and latch from any open position, without sticking?
- Self-closer - is it attached, working and not disconnected or damaged?
- Gaps - are the gaps around the door even and not too large? (Around 3-4mm is the usual guide for most doors.)
- Seals - are intumescent strips and smoke seals present and undamaged?
- Hinges - are they secure, with no missing screws?
- Door leaf and frame - no holes, damage or unauthorised alterations
- Glazing - intact and properly fixed
- Signage - 'Fire door keep shut' or similar signs present
- Not wedged open - and nothing stopping it from closing
How often should workplace fire doors be checked?
Outside the residential rules, your fire risk assessment should set the frequency. High-traffic doors in busy buildings are often checked weekly or monthly, with a more detailed inspection by a competent person periodically. Doors that are frequently knocked - in warehouses, schools, care homes or hospitals - usually need more frequent checks.
Recording fire door checks
Fire door checks are a classic case where paper falls down: dozens of doors, several floors, and a clipboard that may or may not have been carried round. With Checkmate, a device is fitted next to each fire door. The person checking taps it with their phone, ticks the checklist and photographs any problem. Each door's light shows red when its check is due and green when it's done, so a building manager can see at a glance which doors have been checked - and every check is stored as a report.
Frequently asked questions
How often should fire doors be checked?
In England, multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 metres must check communal fire doors quarterly and use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually. In other buildings, your fire risk assessment should set the frequency.
Who can check fire doors?
Routine checks can be carried out by a trained member of staff. More detailed inspections or repairs should be done by a competent fire door inspector or installer.
Do fire door checks need to be recorded?
Recording checks is the clearest way to show fire doors are being maintained, as required by fire safety law, and is expected by fire and rescue services.