What is a Fire Door Inspection?
A Fire Door Inspection is a detailed examination of a fire door set — the door leaf, frame, seals, glazing, hardware and self-closing arrangement — to assess whether it is likely to perform as intended in a fire. Each door is individually inspected and recorded.
Why Fire Door Inspections are important
Fire doors are a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection. A door that fails to close properly, has damaged seals or excessive gaps may not resist the spread of fire and smoke. Regular inspection helps identify defects before they compromise the safety of the building’s occupants.
Who is responsible for maintaining fire doors?
Responsibility typically rests with the building’s responsible person — the employer, landlord, managing agent or housing provider. Fire Risk Assessments commonly highlight fire door condition, and a dedicated inspection provides the detailed, door-by-door record that an FRA cannot.
What does an inspection examine?
Each inspection covers the key elements of the door set, including:
- Door leaf, frame and visible certification markings
- Intumescent seals and smoke seals
- Gaps around the door perimeter and threshold
- Hinges, latches, locks and ironmongery
- Self-closing devices and closing action
- Glazing, vision panels and air transfer grilles
- Signage and hold-open arrangements
Common defects and issues
Frequently identified issues include damaged or missing seals, excessive or uneven gaps, doors that fail to close fully onto the latch, inappropriate hardware, damaged glazing beads and doors wedged or held open. Each finding is recorded with photographic evidence.
What will the written inspection report include?
You receive a written report recording each door inspected, its condition and any defects identified, with photographic evidence and recommended remedial actions. Where appropriate, recommendations are prioritised so maintenance can be planned practically.
Fire Door Inspections for managed property portfolios
We support managing agents, housing providers and landlords with inspections across residential blocks and property portfolios, providing consistent door-by-door records for each building.
How inspections relate to Fire Risk Assessments
A Fire Risk Assessment may identify concerns about the condition of fire doors and recommend a more detailed inspection. OJ can provide both services, giving you a clear continuation from assessment findings through to detailed inspection and recommended actions.