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Fire Door Inspection
Checklist

A practical, legally-grounded 10-point fire door inspection checklist, covering every component a competent person must assess. Aligned with BS 8214 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Compiled in consultation with FDIS-certified fire door inspectors.

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Covers requirements under: ✓ Fire Safety (England) Regs 2022 ✓ RR(FS)O 2005 Art. 17 ✓ BS 8214:2016 ✓ Building Safety Act 2022

The 10-Point Fire Door Inspection Checklist

Complete this check for every door. Record results immediately; an undocumented check has no legal compliance value.

1

Door Leaf Condition

Inspect both faces for cracks, holes, warping, splits or any modification — pet flaps, extra drilling, additional glazing or non-standard apertures. Any breach or unauthorised change voids the certified fire rating.

any damage, hole or unauthorised modification is present

2

Self-Closing Device

Open the door to 90°, release and observe. It must close fully and latch without any assistance from any position. Repeat from 45° and 10°. Check the closer arm for oil leaks, correct spring tension and secure fixings.

door fails to latch from any position, or closer is damaged, seized or missing

3

Gap Tolerances

Using a flat calibrated shim gauge — not a wedge, which can force the gap wider — measure at multiple points around the perimeter. Head and both sides: 2–4 mm. Bottom gap: 8–10 mm for fire-only doors; maximum 3 mm for smoke control doors without an automatic drop seal. Always verify against the manufacturer's certificate.

Quick check: A £1 coin (~3 mm) should not pass easily through the side gaps. Light should not be visible under the closed door. Inconsistent gaps around the perimeter indicate door drop or frame movement.

any gap exceeds tolerance, or gaps are inconsistent around the door

4

Intumescent & Smoke Seals

Check seals on all four edges — head, latch side, hinge side, and bottom where fitted. They must be continuous, undamaged and not painted over. Paint bonds the seal and prevents it expanding in a fire. The correct seal type must match the door's tested specification.

any seal is missing, split, compressed flat, or painted over — even partially

5

Hinges

A minimum of three hinges is required for FD30 doors; FD60 typically requires four. Check every screw is present and fully driven — a single missing screw is a failure. Hinges must be CE or UKCA marked (BS EN 1935). Check for corrosion, excessive play or wear.

any screws missing, hinges uncertified, or significant wear or movement present

6

Locks, Latches & Ironmongery

Verify the latch engages the keep cleanly and the lock functions correctly from both sides. All hardware must match the doorset's original tested specification. Substituting non-fire-rated ironmongery — even items that look identical — invalidates the assembly certification.

latch fails to engage, hardware is non-fire-rated or has been substituted

7

Glazing (where present)

Glass must be fire-rated to at least E30. Check that beading is intact with fire-rated glazing compound or intumescent tape. The panel dimensions must not exceed the maximum tested size stated in the doorset certificate — even 10 mm over can invalidate the rating.

glass is cracked or chipped, beading is absent, or the panel size exceeds the tested maximum

8

Door Frame & Wall Junction

The frame must be secure, undamaged and square. Inspect the perimeter junction between the frame and the surrounding wall — unsealed gaps here allow fire and smoke to bypass even a perfectly functioning door. The junction must be filled with appropriate intumescent material.

frame is loose, visibly damaged, or the frame-to-wall junction is unsealed or has open voids

9

Certification Label

Locate the certification plug or label on the hinge edge of the door leaf. It must be present, legible and not painted over or removed. An absent or illegible label requires investigation to confirm the door's certification status before it can be passed.

label is absent or illegible — investigate before recording a pass

10

Signage & Record

Confirm compliant "Fire door — keep shut" or "Fire door — keep locked" signage is present and visible on both faces of the door. Then immediately record the result: door reference, date of check, your name, pass or fail outcome, and a specific description of any defects with their location.

Legal requirement: An undocumented check has no compliance value in enforcement or legal proceedings. Digital records are strongly recommended.

signage is missing from either face. Always record the check outcome regardless of result

Required Inspection Frequencies

Every 3 Months Communal fire doors in all residential buildings with shared parts
Every 12 Months Flat entrance doors in buildings over 11 m; annual FDIS survey for all
Every 6 Months Commercial premises under BS 9999; more frequently for high-traffic doors

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must fire doors be inspected?
Communal fire doors in residential buildings with shared parts must be checked every 3 months. Flat entrance doors in buildings over 11 metres require annual checks. Commercial premises should follow their fire risk assessment — typically every 6 months under BS 9999, more frequently for high-traffic doors.
Can I use this checklist myself or do I need a professional?
The quarterly visual checks can be completed by a trained, competent person. However, annual surveys that form part of a legal compliance record should be carried out by an FDIS-certified inspector. Their reports are legally defensible and accepted by insurers and fire authorities.
What gap is acceptable around a fire door?
Head and sides: 2–4 mm. Bottom: 8–10 mm for fire-only doors; maximum 3 mm for smoke control doors without a tested automatic drop seal. Always verify against the specific doorset manufacturer's certificate — it takes precedence over general guidance.
What should I do if a door fails the checklist?
Document the specific defect immediately. For life-safety-critical failures — a non-functioning closer on an escape route — implement interim measures the same day. Instruct remedial works promptly, obtain written completion confirmation, and update your compliance records. A 48-hour turnaround is achievable for most defects.
Related Reading Full Guides for Every Scenario
Extended Interim Checklist

16-point interim check covering self-closing, seals, gaps, hinges, cert mark and general compliance.

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What Formal Inspection Finds

Why a visual check misses 68% of defects, the component-level checks that require a competent person.

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Landlord Compliance Guide

Statutory duties, inspection frequencies and documentation requirements for residential landlords.

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HMO Compliance

Which doors in an HMO require fire rating, at what frequency, and how to handle tenant damage.

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