What Does a Fire Door Inspection Include?
29 Jul 2026 | By Ron Fellowes MIFSM, GIFireE, CertNCRQ
A fire door can appear compliant, while hidden defects reduce its ability to resist fire and smoke. Discover what a fire door inspection includes, what inspectors check, and how inspection findings help Responsible Persons prioritise remedial works and demonstrate compliance.
A fire door can appear to be in good condition while still failing to provide the level of fire resistance it was designed to achieve. Housing associations, managing agents, and Responsible Persons need to understand what is checked during a fire door inspection. It helps them identify defects, prioritise remedial works, and demonstrate ongoing compliance.
This article explains what inspectors assess, what a typical fire door inspection checklist includes, and how inspections support effective fire safety management.
What Is Checked During a Fire Door Inspection?
A fire door inspection assesses whether the complete door assembly is likely to perform as intended in the event of a fire. Rather than looking at individual components in isolation, inspectors consider how the door, frame, seals, glazing, and hardware work together to maintain fire resistance.
The findings provide Responsible Persons with a clear understanding of any defects present, the level of risk they pose, and the remedial actions required to maintain compliance.
Fire Door Inspection Checklist
Although every building is different, a professional fire door inspection will include the following checks.
| Inspection Area | What is Checked |
| Door leaf | Damage, distortion, unauthorised alterations, glazing, and overall condition |
| Door frame | Condition, secure fixing, and signs of damage |
| Door gaps | Clearance around the top, sides, and threshold to ensure effective fire and smoke resistance |
| Self-closing device | Correct operation and whether the door fully closes and latches without assistance |
| Hinges | Correct number fitted, wear, damage, and secure fixings |
| Intumescent seals | Presence, condition, continuity, and correct installation |
| Smoke seals | Condition and effectiveness |
| Glazing | Fire-rated glazing, glazing beads, and signs of damage |
| Ironmongery | Locks, latches, handles, and other hardware appropriate for the fire door |
| Signage | Correct fire door signage |
| Operation | Whether the door opens, closes, and latches correctly without obstruction |
| Documentation | Door identification, location, photographic evidence and priority of remedial actions |
Professional fire door inspections should be carried out by a competent person with the knowledge and experience to assess fire door assemblies, identify defects, and recommend appropriate remedial actions. While a specialist contractor may undertake inspections, the Responsible Person remains responsible for ensuring they are completed.
Which Fire Doors Should Be Inspected?
Not every door within a building is a fire door. Inspections should focus on doors that form part of the building’s fire strategy and are intended to resist the spread of fire and smoke.
Under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Responsible Persons must consider the fire safety of flat entrance doors and doors within communal areas of multi-occupied residential buildings as part of their wider fire safety responsibilities. Regular inspections help confirm that these fire doors continue to perform as intended and identify defects that require remedial action.
Inspections commonly include:
- Flat entrance doors
- Communal corridor fire doors
- Stairwell fire doors
- Plant room doors
- Service riser doors
- Cross-corridor fire doors
- Fire doors protecting ancillary accommodation
Housing associations, managing agents, and Responsible Persons should keep accurate records of fire door inspections so they can prioritise remedial works, plan future inspections, and demonstrate ongoing compliance.
What Should a Fire Door Inspection Report Include?
The inspection report is just as important as the inspection itself. It provides Responsible Persons with the information needed to prioritise remedial works, demonstrate compliance, and maintain an auditable record of fire door maintenance.
A professional fire door inspection report will include:
- The location or identification of each fire door inspected
- Details of any defects identified
- Photographic evidence to support the findings
- A priority rating based on the significance of each defect
- Recommended remedial actions to restore compliance
A clear, well-structured report helps organisations plan repairs, monitor outstanding actions, and demonstrate that fire door defects are being managed appropriately across their portfolio.
What Defects Are Commonly Identified?
Even relatively minor defects can prevent a fire door from performing as intended during a fire. Common issues include damaged or missing intumescent seals, excessive gaps around the door, faulty self-closing devices, damaged glazing, or unauthorised alterations to the door or frame.
Industry data highlights how common these issues are. According to the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), the most common reasons for inspection failure were:
- Excessive gaps between the door and frame (77%)
- Care and maintenance issues (54%)
- Smoke sealing defects (37%)
- Improper installation (31%)
Many doors failed because of more than one defect, reinforcing the importance of routine inspections and timely remedial works.
Need a Fire Door Inspection?
Osterna supports housing associations, managing agents, and large private landlords with professional fire door inspection services across the UK. Our inspections help organisations identify defects, prioritise remedial works, and demonstrate compliance with current fire safety legislation.
Are Fire Door Inspections a Legal Requirement?
The legislation governing fire door inspections differs between England, Wales, and Scotland. The table below summarises the key requirements relevant to Responsible Persons.
| Jurisdiction | Key fire door inspection requirements |
| England & Wales | The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires Responsible Persons to maintain appropriate fire precautions, including effective fire doors where applicable. The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced specific inspection requirements for certain multi-occupied residential buildings, including quarterly inspections of communal fire doors and annual inspections of flat entrance doors in qualifying buildings. |
| Scotland | The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require duty holders to maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including ensuring fire doors remain capable of performing their intended function. |
The exact inspection requirements depend on your building type, height, location, and the legislation that applies. Read our article on Are Fire Door Inspections a Legal Requirement to understand your responsibilities in more detail.
What Happens if a Fire Door Fails an Inspection?
A fire door that fails an inspection should not be ignored. Depending on the nature and severity of the defect, it may no longer provide the level of fire resistance required to protect escape routes or support compartmentation during a fire. If left unaddressed, this can increase fire safety risks and, where fire safety legislation applies, may expose Responsible Persons to enforcement action if suitable fire safety measures are not being maintained.
Many defects, such as damaged seals, faulty self-closing devices, unsuitable ironmongery, or excessive door gaps, can often be rectified through remedial works, provided the fire-resisting performance of the door can be restored.
A professional inspection report should clearly identify each defect, assess its significance, prioritise remedial actions, and provide an auditable record of the works required. This helps Responsible Persons address the highest-risk issues promptly, demonstrate that defects are being actively managed, and maintain ongoing compliance.
Supporting Fire Door Compliance Across Your Portfolio
A fire door inspection should leave Responsible Persons with a clear understanding of the condition of each fire door, any identified defects, and the remedial works needed to maintain compliance.
If you are responsible for fire safety compliance across a residential portfolio and need an experienced provider, Osterna can help.
We work with housing associations, managing agents, and large private landlords across the UK, delivering fire door inspections, Fire Risk Assessments, asset testing, and building compliance services.
Get in touch with the Osterna team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A fire door inspection is an assessment of a fire door assembly to determine whether it is likely to perform as intended in the event of a fire, helping to prevent the spread of fire and smoke and protect escape routes.
A fire door inspection involves checking that the door, frame, hardware, and associated components are in good condition and capable of performing as intended in the event of a fire. This typically includes assessing the condition of the door leaf, frame, hinges, seals, glazing, signage, self-closing devices, gaps, and overall operation.
Fire door inspections should be carried out by a competent person with the knowledge and experience to assess fire door assemblies and identify defects. While a routine visual inspection may form part of day-to-day building management, a formal fire door inspection should be completed by someone who can accurately assess compliance and recommend appropriate remedial actions.
Inspection frequency depends on the type of building and applicable legislation. Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, communal fire doors in residential buildings over 11 metres should be inspected quarterly, while flat entrance doors opening onto communal areas should be inspected annually. More frequent inspections may be appropriate where buildings experience heavy use, or defects have previously been identified.
Common fire door failures include excessive door gaps, damaged door leaves, missing or damaged intumescent seals, faulty self-closing devices, damaged glazing, loose hinges, and unauthorised alterations. Even relatively minor defects can affect the door’s ability to resist the spread of fire and smoke.
Related articles
-
How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Carried Out?
Many organisations review fire risk assessments on a fixed schedule. The challenge is that review frequency should reflect the building’s risks, not simply the calendar. This guide explains how Responsible Persons can develop review programmes that support effective fire safety management and compliance.
-
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?
Meeting the minimum legal requirements is not always enough to demonstrate effective fire door management. This guide explains how often fire doors should be inspected, when additional checks may be appropriate, and how housing providers can take a risk-based approach to compliance.
-
What Are the 5 Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment?
Not sure whether your building needs a fire risk assessment? This guide explains when fire risk assessments are legally required, who is responsible, and includes a practical checklist to help determine whether your premises fall within scope of fire safety legislation.
-
Do I Need a Fire Risk Assessment? Legal Requirements Explained
Not sure whether your building needs a fire risk assessment? This guide explains when fire risk assessments are legally required, who is responsible, and includes a practical checklist to help determine whether your premises fall within scope of fire safety legislation.
-
Are Fire Door Inspections a Legal Requirement?
Fire doors are one of the most commonly identified defects in residential fire safety inspections and can significantly undermine a building’s compartmentation strategy if left unchecked. This guide explains how often fire doors should be inspected, the legal requirements that apply, who is responsible for compliance, and how housing providers can develop an effective inspection programme across their portfolio.
-
Is a Fire Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement?
Fire risk assessments are a key part of residential fire safety compliance. Learn what UK legislation requires and what it means for managing agents and housing providers.
-
When Is a Fire Risk Assessment Required for Flats?
Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement for many residential buildings. This guide explains when they apply to flats, what legislation governs them, and what compliance professionals need to know.
-
Who Is Responsible for Fire Risk Assessments in a Block of Flats?
Managing fire safety within flats involves clear legal responsibilities. This guide explains who the Responsible Person is and what current fire safety legislation requires.
-
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?
Fire risk assessments are a key part of fire safety compliance within residential buildings. This guide explains what a fire risk assessment includes, why it matters, and what current legislation requires.
