What Is a Fire Door Inspection?

A fire door inspection is a formal, documented assessment of every fire door in a building — carried out by a trained inspector — to confirm that each door will perform its designed function in the event of a fire. In the UK, fire doors are passive fire protection: when properly installed and maintained, they can hold back fire and smoke for 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60), giving occupants time to evacuate safely.

The inspection checks the door leaf, frame, seals, self-closer, hinges, glazing, hardware and certification label against the requirements of BS 9999, BS 8214, Approved Document B and — for residential buildings — the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

Why Fire Door Inspections Are Not Optional

Since the Grenfell Tower fire, UK legislation has significantly tightened requirements. The Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place clear duties on responsible persons. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £500,000 or imprisonment. Insurance policies may also be invalidated if fire doors are not maintained and inspected.

When Is a Fire Door Inspection Required by Law?

Residential Buildings Over 11 Metres

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons for multi-occupancy residential buildings over 11 metres must check all communal fire doors every 3 months, and all flat entrance doors annually. Buildings over 18 metres require quarterly checks on flat entrance doors too.

Commercial Buildings and Workplaces

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers and building managers to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment — which must include an assessment of all fire doors. There is no prescribed frequency, but annual inspections are industry best practice.

HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

Licensed HMOs in London must have fire doors to each habitable room and to the kitchen. London Borough licensing conditions typically require fire door inspections at each licence renewal, and many boroughs require annual checks.

After Damage, Modification or New Installation

Any fire door that has been damaged, repaired, painted, had hardware replaced or been newly installed must be re-inspected before the building is occupied or returned to use.

What Does a Fire Door Inspection Cover?

Our inspectors assess all 10 key elements required under UK guidance:

• Door leaf and frame — checked for warping, damage, correct alignment and fit
• Gaps — maximum 3 mm on sides and top; maximum 10 mm at the threshold
• Intumescent seals and smoke seals — must be continuous, undamaged and correctly fitted
• Self-closing device — must close and latch fully from any open position, including 5° from closed
• Hinges — minimum 3 hinges, all fire-rated to BS EN 1935, no missing screws
• Glazing — must carry a fire-resistance classification; any cracks fail the inspection
• Ironmongery — all locks, handles and latches must be fire-rated; no non-rated hardware
• Signage — “Fire Door — Keep Shut” or “Fire Door — Keep Locked” notice required
• Certification label — BS 476 or BS EN 1634-1 plug label must be visible and intact
• General operation — door must close, latch and seal consistently from a 90° open position

What Certificate Do You Receive?

At the end of every inspection, Fixiz produces a full written report and compliance certificate pack:

Fire Door Inspection Costs in North London

Type of Inspection	Typical Price Range
Individual door (standalone visit)	£45–£65 per door
Small block (up to 10 doors)	From £25 per door
Medium block (11–30 doors)	From £20 per door
Large building (30+ doors)	POA — contact us
HMO inspection (full property)	From £300
Emergency / same-day inspection	From £150 + door rate

Non-compliance penalties: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 provides for fines of up to £500,000 and/or imprisonment for serious breaches. Insurance claims related to fire damage may be refused if fire doors were not maintained. The cost of inspection is insignificant compared to the risk.

Our Fire Door Inspection Process

Fire Door Inspections Across North London

Fixiz carries out fire door inspections throughout North London, including:

Not sure if we cover your area? Call us on 020 7971 1318 — we’ll confirm coverage within minutes.

Who Needs a Fire Door Inspection?

• Landlords and managing agents of residential blocks over 11 metres
• HMO landlords in any London borough
• Commercial property managers and facilities managers
• Schools, hospitals and care homes — high occupancy, increased duty of care
• Hotels, hostels and student accommodation
• Developers and contractors completing new builds or refurbishments
• Homeowners who have had fire doors installed and need a compliance sign-off

FD30 and FD60 Fire Door Inspections

What Is an FD30 Door?

An FD30 door (fire door 30) is tested and rated to resist the spread of fire and smoke for a minimum of 30 minutes. These are the most common type found in residential buildings, HMOs and small commercial premises. The inspection criteria are the same as for all fire doors.

What Is an FD60 Door?

An FD60 door is rated to 60 minutes. These are typically required in higher-risk locations such as stairwells in tall buildings, plant rooms and areas with high fire load. Inspection requirements are the same, but any defects are treated as higher priority.

FD30S and FD60S — Smoke-Controlled Doors

The “S” suffix indicates the door has also been tested for smoke leakage at ambient temperature. Most modern fire doors in residential buildings are FD30S. Our inspection includes a full check of smoke seals and their continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions — Fire Door Inspections

Who is legally responsible for fire door inspections?

The “responsible person” under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — typically the building owner, employer, managing agent or landlord — is legally responsible for ensuring fire doors are inspected and maintained. In residential blocks, this is usually the freeholder or their appointed managing agent.

How often do fire doors need to be inspected?

For residential buildings over 11 metres: communal fire doors every 3 months, flat entrance doors annually (quarterly for buildings over 18 metres). For commercial buildings: at least annually, or more frequently if the fire risk assessment identifies higher risk. After any damage, modification or repair: immediately before return to use.

What is the difference between a fire door inspection and a fire door survey?

The terms are often used interchangeably. A “survey” typically refers to an initial assessment of all fire doors in a building to establish a baseline — often carried out as part of a full fire risk assessment. An “inspection” usually refers to a periodic compliance check against the same criteria. Both result in a written report; both are carried out by a qualified inspector.

What happens if a fire door fails the inspection?

The inspector issues a fail notice for that door, identifies the specific defects and categorises them by urgency. Critical defects (e.g. missing self-closer, broken seals) must be remedied immediately — the door should not be used until repaired. Non-critical defects (e.g. minor surface damage not affecting integrity) can be scheduled for repair. Fixiz can carry out all remedial works.

Can I carry out my own fire door checks?

Yes — the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 allow responsible persons in residential buildings to carry out quarterly visual checks themselves (using the government’s own 5-point checklist). However, the detailed annual inspection must be carried out by a “competent person” — someone with sufficient training, experience and knowledge. For compliance documentation purposes, a professional inspection is strongly recommended.

What is the maximum gap allowed around a fire door?

Under BS 9999 and industry guidance: maximum 3 mm on the latch side, hinge side and top of the door; maximum 10 mm at the threshold (floor gap). Gaps larger than these will allow fire and smoke through before the intumescent seals can activate.

Do intumescent seals need to be replaced every year?

Not necessarily — intumescent seals do not degrade under normal conditions. They should be replaced if they are damaged, compressed, painted over, incorrectly fitted or show signs of having been activated by heat. The inspection will identify whether seals need replacement.

How long does a fire door inspection take?

Approximately 15–20 minutes per door for a thorough inspection including photography and documentation. A building with 10 fire doors typically takes 2.5–3 hours including access time. The written report and certificate are issued within 24 hours of the visit.

Does a fire door inspection cover fire door installation?

No — an inspection confirms whether existing doors are compliant. If doors need replacing, Fixiz can supply and install certified fire doors as a separate service. We can combine a full inspection with a replacement quotation in a single visit.

What legislation governs fire door inspections in the UK?

The key legislation includes: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commercial and multi-occupancy); Fire Safety Act 2021; Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (residential buildings); Building Regulations Approved Document B; BS 9999:2017 (fire safety in buildings); BS 8214:2016 (timber fire door assemblies).

Can I get a fire door inspection certificate same day?

For urgent compliance needs (e.g. council inspection, insurance audit, building sale), we offer an emergency same-day inspection service in North London. The certificate can be issued on the day for an additional fee. Call 020 7971 1318 to check availability.

Is a fire door inspection the same as a fire risk assessment?

No — a fire risk assessment (FRA) covers the entire building’s fire safety arrangements. A fire door inspection is a specialist element that feeds into the FRA. Many fire risk assessors will sub-contract fire door inspections to specialists like Fixiz, or will flag fire door defects and recommend a specialist inspection.