What Does an FDIS-Approved Fire Door Inspection Actually Cover?

Why FDIS Certification Matters

Any competent person can carry out the basic door checks required by the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. But a fire door inspection carried out by an inspector certified under the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is a considerably more thorough process — one that assesses each door as a complete, tested assembly against BS 8214 and the specific certification evidence for that doorset.

FDIS inspectors are qualified under the British Woodworking Federation's qualification framework, accredited under BS EN ISO/IEC 17024:2012, and subject to ongoing audit. Their assessments are designed to be legally defensible and insurance-grade.

Here is exactly what an FDIS inspection covers, door by door.

1. Door Leaf Condition

The inspector examines the door leaf (the door itself) for any physical damage that could compromise its fire resistance. This includes:

• Cracks, splits, or voids in the door core
• Warping or bowing that prevents the door from sitting correctly in the frame
• Holes or penetrations — even small ones made for cables or fixings can breach the door's fire rating
• Surface damage that reveals whether the door has been modified or repaired using non-compliant methods
• Unauthorised alterations such as pet flaps, additional glazing, or changed ironmongery

A door that has been drilled, routed, or modified without manufacturer approval will receive a fail, regardless of how minor the damage appears.

2. Door Frame and Surrounding Structure

The frame and the wall it sits in are integral to the door assembly's performance. Inspectors check:

• The frame for damage, movement, and secure fixings to the surrounding structure
• Whether the frame is original to the tested doorset or has been replaced
• The condition of intumescent seals within the frame rebate
• The surrounding wall for any breaches (holes, cracks, or poor fill) that could allow fire or smoke to bypass the door entirely

3. Gap Tolerances

Gap measurement is one of the most common causes of inspection failures. FDIS inspectors use calibrated gap gauges (not wedge-style instruments that can distort results) to measure:

• Head and side gaps: must be 2–4 mm. Below 2 mm and the door may bind; above 4 mm and smoke and heat can pass through before intumescent seals fully activate
• Bottom gap (fire-only doors): typically 8–10 mm, always against the specific door manufacturer's certificate
• Bottom gap (smoke control doors): maximum 3 mm, or fitted with a tested automatic drop seal
• Meeting stile gaps on double-leaf doors: assessed against the doorset's test evidence

Gaps that are inconsistent around the door indicate frame movement, hinge failure, or door drop — all of which require investigation and remedial action.

4. Intumescent Seals and Smoke Seals

Intumescent seals expand in fire conditions to fill the gap between door and frame, preventing the passage of fire and hot gases. Smoke seals (brush or compression type) prevent cold smoke spread. Inspectors check:

• That seals are present in the correct locations — head, sides, and meeting stiles
• That seals are undamaged and have not been painted over (paint can bond the seal, preventing expansion)
• That the correct type of seal is fitted for the door's intended purpose (fire-only vs smoke control)
• That seals are the original type specified in the doorset's test evidence, or an accepted equivalent

5. Self-Closing Device (Door Closer)

A fire door that does not close fully and latch is a fire door that does not work. The door closer is therefore a critical component. Inspectors assess:

• Whether the closer brings the door to a fully latched position from any open position, including when the door is fully open
• Closer speed — doors that slam can damage seals and frames over time; doors that close too slowly may not latch reliably
• Whether the closer arm is correctly adjusted, damaged, or showing signs of hydraulic failure (oil leaking from the body)
• Hold-open devices (electromagnetic, acoustic, or thermal) — these must fail-safe to closed in the event of a fire alarm signal

A door that requires assistance to close, or that bounces back from the latch, will fail on this element alone.

6. Hinges

Fire doors are heavy and put considerable stress on hinges. Inspectors check:

• That the correct number of hinges are present (typically three for FD30 doors)
• That hinges are CE or UKCA marked, confirming they are fire-rated to the relevant standard (BS EN 1935)
• That all screws are present and correctly fitted — missing screws are a common fail
• That hinges show no significant wear, corrosion, or damage that would affect load-bearing performance

7. Locks, Latches, and Ironmongery

All hardware on a fire door must be compatible with the doorset's test evidence. Inspectors assess:

• That latch and lock mechanisms are functioning and keep the door positively latched when closed
• That hardware has not been substituted with non-fire-rated equivalents
• That letter plates (where fitted) incorporate a certified intumescent flap
• That kick plates, pull handles, and other furniture are securely fixed and have not compromised the door leaf
• That thumb-turn releases on escape routes operate correctly from both sides

8. Glazing

Where a fire door includes glazed panels, the glass and its installation must match the tested specification. Inspectors verify:

• That the glass is fire-rated (E30 or EW30 as a minimum)
• That beading is correct and the glazing is bedded in fire-rated intumescent glazing tape
• That the glass panel size does not exceed the maximum tested dimension for that doorset
• That glass panels show no cracks, chips, or damage

9. Certification Label

Every compliant fire door should carry a certification label — typically a plug or sticker on the hinge edge — confirming its fire rating and third-party certification. Inspectors check that the label is present, legible, and has not been removed or painted over. An unlabelled door is not necessarily non-compliant (particularly in older buildings), but the absence of a label requires further investigation to establish the door's status.

10. Signage

Under the current regulatory framework, fire doors in common parts of residential buildings and in most non-domestic premises must carry compliant "Fire door — keep shut" or "Fire door — keep locked" signage. Inspectors check that appropriate signage is present on both faces of the door and has not been removed or obscured.

The Inspection Report

At the conclusion of an FDIS inspection, every door receives a clear pass or fail outcome. Failed doors are assigned a priority level — typically immediate action, short-term action (within 30 days), or planned maintenance. The report includes photographic evidence of defects, a written description of each failure, and a recommended remedial works scope. This report forms the foundation of a legally defensible compliance record and can be shared directly with fire authorities, insurers, and residents.

If doors require remedial works following the inspection, Fire Doors Pro can scope and complete those works within 48 hours of instruction, with before-and-after documentation issued on completion.

Key Takeaways

• An FDIS inspection assesses ten distinct elements per door, not just a visual walk-past
• Gap measurement uses calibrated gauges against specific tolerances: 2–4 mm at head and sides; 8–10 mm at the bottom for fire-only doors
• Common failures include painted seals, non-functioning closers, missing hinge screws, and excessive gaps
• Every door receives a pass/fail outcome with photographic evidence and a prioritised remedial works schedule
• The inspection report is a legally defensible compliance document suitable for fire authority audit