Fire door inspections.

Currently, Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO/FSO) states that fire doors should be correctly installed and adequately maintained in order for them to be fit for purpose.

However, the rules changed on the 23rd of January 2023 and will make it a legal requirement for multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to:

• Undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts.

• Undertake – on a best endeavour basis – annual checks of all flat entrance doors (including self-closing devices) that lead onto a building’s common parts.

• The regulations will also require responsible persons to provide residents of all multi-occupied residential buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises (no matter the height) with information on the importance of fire doors to a building’s fire safety.

We recommend that fire doors should be inspected at least every 3 months however, this will differ depending on the building and occupants. We recommend more regular checks for the following:

• When a fire door is newly installed we recommend more frequent, weekly inspections as automatic closers may require periodic adjustment to make sure the door fully closes.

• Buildings that are in constant use will have greater wear and tear across door components.

• Buildings, such as schools and hospitals, are subject to heavy traffic and the doors have a hard time, often being subject to repeated misuse.

• If a building has been vacant for an extended period of time.

When you contact our fire safety team, we will be able to advise the inspection period required for your building, and we can adjust this schedule based on the condition of your doors on each visit.