Understanding Fire Door Inspections: A Comprehensive Guide

Fire doors save lives. When specified, installed, and maintained correctly, they slow fire and smoke, protect escape routes, and give people time to evacuate. If you manage property, you may be unsure what a proper inspection involves, who is qualified to do it, and how much it should cost. This guide breaks it down in plain English so you can plan with confidence and stay compliant.

What a Professional Fire Door Inspection Covers

A good inspection is methodical and evidence-based. We check each door set, take photos, record measurements, and note defects clearly. You should expect:

• Door Leaf, Frame, and Reveal: Checked for damage, warping, gaps, and correct materials.

• Intumescent and Smoke Seals: Checked for presence, type, condition, and continuity.

• Hinges, Latches, Locks, and Closers: Checked for CE or UKCA marks, fixings, operation, and wear.

• Thresholds and Floor Coverings: Checked for tripping risk and excessive gaps.

• Vision Panels and Glazing: Checked for fire-rated glass and correct beading.

• Hold Open Devices and Door Closers: Tested for closing speed, latching, and control.

• Signage and Identification: Checked for correct location and wording.

• Labelling: Checked for certification, manufacturer marks, and compatibility.

• Fire Stopping Around Frames: Checked for suitable material and workmanship.

• Operation Tests: Including free swing, smoke control, and self-closing performance.

  
  

At the end, you should receive a clear report that separates immediate safety issues from planned maintenance. We include practical fixes, not just faults. Where a simple adjustment or seal replacement will restore performance, I say so. If a full replacement is truly needed, I explain why and reference the relevant standard.

Who Can Carry Out Fire Door Inspections?

There is no single protected job title for fire door inspectors in UK law. What matters is competence. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must use competent persons for fire safety tasks. In practice, that means an individual who has the right training, knowledge, and experience to assess fire doors, understands the relevant standards, and can recognise when a door will not perform as required.

Look for inspectors who can demonstrate:

• Recognised Training and Assessment: For example, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) Diploma or equivalent.

• Up-to-Date CPD: Knowledge of current guidance.

• Experience with Your Building Type: Such as residential blocks, HMOs, schools, or offices.

• Independence: No incentive to upsell replacement doors.

• Insurance: Including professional indemnity and public liability.

  
  

I recommend you ask who will actually attend your site, what qualifications they hold, and to see a sample report. Competence should be personal, not just on a company brochure.

Qualifications to Look For

Formal credentials help you verify competence. Common and respected routes include:

• FDIS Diploma for Fire Door Inspection: A widely recognised specialist qualification.

• BM TRADA Q Mark Fire Door Inspection Training.

• Certification or Structured CPD: From professional bodies such as IFE or IFSM, aligned to passive fire protection.

• Evidence of Understanding: BS 8214, BS 476, and EN 1634 series for fire resistance, and BS 9999 or BS 9991 for fire safety in design and management.

• NAFDI Membership.

• Proven Familiarity: With manufacturer data sheets, test evidence, and third-party certification schemes for doors and ironmongery.

  
  

No single badge guarantees quality. The combination of training, hands-on experience, and clear, defensible reporting is what counts. If you are in doubt, ask the inspector to explain how they judge a door’s performance and what test evidence they rely on.

Is It a Legal Requirement to Inspect Fire Doors?

Yes, you must keep fire doors in effective working order. The Fire Safety Order requires the Responsible Person to maintain fire safety measures and to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. In most buildings with common areas, that assessment will identify fire doors as critical life safety equipment that require routine checks and periodic detailed inspection. For higher-risk or higher-occupancy buildings, this expectation is stronger.

Routine in-house checks should be monthly at a minimum. A comprehensive inspection by a competent person is typically annual, with quarterly checks for busy or vulnerable settings. Some regulators and industry bodies advise quarterly checks for all common area doors, and more frequent checks for flat entrance doors in residential blocks.

How Much Does a Fire Door Inspection Cost?

Costs vary with the number of doors, access, location, and the level of reporting you need. As a guide:

• Per Door Pricing: Common for portfolios and blocks.

• Small Sites: May have a minimum day rate to cover travel and reporting time.

• Detailed, Photo-Rich Reports: Tagging takes longer and costs more, but they save time when planning repairs.

  
  

Be cautious of very low per-door prices that rely on quick visual passes and generic templates. You want a record that helps you fix issues without guesswork. 20a Limited provides transparent pricing once we understand your building, door count, and scope. There is no upselling for remedial works, and I do not replace doors. Our advice stays independent so you only pay for what you need.

What Happens on the Day of Inspection?

Here is the typical process I follow:

1. Briefing: Agree access, confirm the door schedule, and address any sensitive areas.

2. Inspection: Examine each door set, record findings with photos, and test operation.

3. Immediate Risks: If I find a serious issue that could compromise escape routes, I will tell you on the spot so you can act.

4. De-brief: Walk through headline findings and next steps before I leave the site.

5. Report: You receive a structured document that prioritises actions, includes locations and photos, and lists materials or specifications for remedial work.

   
   

This approach keeps disruption low, gives you quick clarity, and provides a reliable audit trail for your records.

How Often Should You Inspect Fire Doors?

• Daily or Weekly: In-house checks for high traffic areas, focused on obvious damage and operation.

• Monthly: Basic checks for all key doors, including closers and seals.

• Quarterly: Competent inspections for common parts in most managed buildings.

• Annual: Full survey and report, especially after any refurbishment or change of use.

  
  

Your fire risk assessment should set the inspection frequency that fits your building’s risk profile. If you need broader support pulling this together, our team also carries out fire risk assessments to align door checks with your overall strategy.

Tips for Choosing the Right Inspector

• Ask for Qualifications: Insurance and a sample report.

• Confirm Independence: From installation contractors.

• Agree on the Level of Detail: You need, including photos, measurements, and tags.

• Check How Defects Will Be Prioritised: And how minor fixes will be identified.

• Make Sure They Will Explain Findings: On site in plain English.

  
  

Summary

Fire door inspections are essential, practical, and manageable when you know what to expect. A competent inspector will check every component, test operation, and give you a clear plan that separates urgent fixes from routine maintenance. Look for recognised training such as FDIS, proven experience, and independent advice. Set inspection intervals that match your risks, and keep good records to show compliance. If you need support with a structured, no-jargon approach in the London area, SW England, or South Wales, we are here to help with straightforward inspections and clear, actionable reports.

For more information on fire safety compliance, visit 20a Limited.