When you think about fire safety in your building, you probably picture alarms, emergency lighting, or extinguishers.
But there’s one component that quietly protects people every day — until it’s needed most: the fire door.
Fire doors play a crucial role in stopping the spread of smoke and fire, protecting escape routes, and buying vital time for evacuation.
But they only work if they’re in good condition and properly maintained. Unfortunately, many aren’t.
According to the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, up to 75% of fire doors in the UK fail inspection, often due to faults that could have been prevented with regular checks and basic maintenance.
In some sectors like healthcare, failure rates have been as high as 100%.
So while Fire Door Safety Week — a great initiative from the British Woodworking Federation — raises awareness, keeping people safe is a year-round responsibility.
The Fire Door Awareness Gap: What the Public Doesn’t Know
Recent surveys have highlighted some serious knowledge gaps:
- 57% of people can’t identify basic faults like cracked glass, missing seals, or gaps around the door frame.
- 75% know fire doors shouldn’t be propped open — but nearly half admit they wouldn’t report it if they saw it.
- Over 20% wouldn’t report a faulty fire door at all, assuming nothing would be done.
(Source: British Woodworking Federation)
This lack of awareness isn’t just a public issue — it’s also a concern for building managers, landlords, and facilities teams.
Fire Doors and the Law: Know Your Responsibilities
Fire doors are a legal requirement in all non-domestic buildings across the UK, including:
- Offices and shops
- Public buildings
- Blocks of flats
- Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs)
Under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons must ensure that fire doors are:
- Installed correctly
- Inspected regularly
- Maintained to perform in the event of a fire
Failure to do so can lead to fines, legal action — and in the worst cases, loss of life.
Why Regular Fire Door Inspections Matt
Even a door that looks fine may be hiding serious issues: loose hinges, failed seals, cracked glazing, or poorly fitted closers. These hidden faults are why BS 9999:2017 recommends inspecting fire doors at least every six months, and more frequently in high-use areas.
Many fire doors fail due to simple maintenance issues that could have been fixed if caught early. In fact, research suggests up to 75% of failed fire doors could be repaired with proper upkeep.
That makes regular inspections one of the most effective and affordable ways to improve fire safety in your building.
The Six-Point Fire Door Check (What You Can Look For)
While official inspections should only be carried out by trained professionals, facilities managers and building staff can still perform regular visual checks. Here’s a simple checklist:
1. Frames, Seals and Gaps
Check the door’s frame and edges. Look for damaged or missing intumescent and smoke seals, and make sure gaps around the door are no more than 3–4mm.
2. Hinges, Latches and Locks
All hardware must be secure, rust-free, and operating smoothly. Loose screws or misaligned hinges are common faults.
3. Hold-Open Devices
Only approved hold-open devices that release on alarm or power failure are permitted. Wedges and door stops are not safe.
4. Glazing and Vision Panels
Glass must be fire-rated, securely fitted, and free of cracks. Damaged or incorrectly installed glazing is a major risk.
5. Smooth Operation
The door should open easily and close fully under its own power, without sticking or slamming.
6. Signage
Check that “Fire Door Keep Shut” or similar signs are clearly displayed on both sides of the door and not obscured.
Creating a Culture of Fire Door Awareness
Encouraging building users to spot and report issues with fire doors is vital. Many people won’t speak up — either because they don’t recognise a fault, or they don’t think it will be taken seriously.
This can change. Start by training your staff, including fire door awareness in inductions, and acting quickly when issues are reported. When people see problems being fixed, they’re far more likely to report the next one.
Fire Doors Are Not a Fit-and-Forget Safety Feature
It’s easy to assume fire doors are “set and forget” items — but they’re not.
These are precision-engineered safety systems that need to be inspected, maintained and recorded just like any other piece of fire protection equipment.
That’s why working with an experienced partner is so important. They’ll ensure your fire doors are compliant with all current UK standards, spot faults early, and support any necessary repairs or upgrades.
This not only protects your building and people — it also protects you from legal exposure.
Stay Safe and Stay Compliant with Fire Door Inspections
Whether it’s Fire Door Safety Week or just another Tuesday, fire doors need to be taken seriously all year round.
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we work with landlords, businesses, and facilities managers across Farnborough, Camberley, Aldershot, and throughout Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.
We provide:
- Fire door inspections and reporting
- Support with compliance and remedial works
- Combined safety packages with fire alarms, extinguishers, and EICRs
If you’re unsure about the condition of your fire doors — or your responsibilities — we’re here to help.
Book a fire door inspection today or get in touch for friendly, professional advice.
Sources:
British Woodworking Federation – Fire Door Safety Week
Fire Safety Act 2021 – UK Government
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
