The overlooked protectors in our buildings, we walk past fire doors every day, in flats, hospitals & schools without even noticing them. But when a fire breaks out, these doors become lifesavers.
What Is a Fire Door?
A fire door is specially designed to hold back fire and smoke, giving people time to escape and helping firefighters do their job. When properly made, installed, and maintained, a fire door can resist fire for a set amount of time usually 30 or 60 minutes depending on its application.
To work effectively, a fire door must:
- Be manufactured by a certified company
- Use compatible, certified parts
- Be installed correctly
- Be regularly checked and maintained
What is a Fire Doorset?
A fire doorset is a complete unit that comes as one package from a single manufacturer. Unlike a traditional fire door that might be assembled on site from different suppliers’ parts, a doorset is:
- Delivered fully assembled and ready to install straight from the factory.
- Supplied with all the correct, tested, and compatible parts, including the frame, leaf, glazing, and essential hardware.
- Manufactured and quality-controlled as a complete unit to meet fire safety standards.
This means a fire doorset is simpler to specify, quicker to install, and gives confidence that all parts will perform together in the event of a fire.
Legal Responsibilities
If you’re a Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 you have specific duties which require suitable fire precautions, including fire doors.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 state the legal requirements for:
- Quarterly inspections of fire doors in the communal areas in high-rise buildings and residential buildings of multiple occupancy more than 11 metres in height
- Annual checks of fire door entrance door sets to apartments or blocks of flats.
- Inform residents of the significance of fire doors to the building’s fire safety, especially informing them not to remove or disconnect self-closing devices, keep fire doors closed, and report any faults or damage to fire doors.
Why Fire Doors Matter
Fire doors are a key part of a building’s fire safety strategy. But they only work if everyone involved, installers, building owners, and users understands their responsibilities.
Building users should feel confident checking fire doors and reporting any issues. A damaged or faulty fire door can fail in an emergency, putting lives at risk.
Fire Door Checks: What to Look For
Fire door checks catch common issues early. These checks don’t need to be done by specialists, just someone trained in what to look for.
Communal Area Fire Door Checks Check doors in:
- Stairways and stair lobbies
- Cross-corridors
- Cupboards with electrical or storage equipment
- Riser shafts (where services run)
What to check:
- Is the door labelled as a fire door & unobstructed
- Self-closing function
- Open the door fully and let go.
- Open it to about 15° and let go.
- In both cases, the door should close fully into the frame.
- Damage
- Look for cracks, warping, or broken parts in the door, frame, or glazing.
- Seals
- Check intumescent strips and smoke seals (if present) are intact.
- Locks
- Cupboard and riser doors should be locked shut if stated so on the fire door label.
If you find defects, report and fix them as soon as possible.
Fire doors are easy to overlook but they’re one of the most important safety features in any building. Regular checks and proper maintenance can make all the difference in an emergency.