Owners and managers of UK non-domestic premises must understand that installing fire doors is insufficient. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that all fire safety measures remain in efficient working order. Consequently, Regulation 17 places a specific duty on the Responsible Person to maintain these features effectively.
Understanding the specific duties regarding fire doors can be complex, but compliance is essential for the safety of occupants and the legality of your business operations. This article clarifies what the law requires and how you can ensure your fire doors are up to standard.
The Legal Basis: Regulation 17 of the FSO 2005
Regulation 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a clear duty on the Responsible Person to ensure that fire safety facilities, equipment and devices are maintained in efficient working order and in good repair. This includes fire doors.
While the FSO does not specify a strict "every six months" rule for all buildings, it mandates that maintenance must be adequate. To determine what is "adequate," the Responsible Person must rely on a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. If your risk assessment identifies fire doors as a crucial control measure for compartmentation or protecting escape routes, you must implement a system of inspection to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
For buildings with higher risk or occupant loads, such as blocks of flats or care homes, additional guidance from the Fire Safety Act 2021 and subsequent government guidance often suggests more frequent checks. However, for general business premises, the frequency and depth of inspection should be proportional to the risk identified.
Daily Checks vs. Formal Inspections
It is helpful to distinguish between "daily checks" (often carried out by staff) and "formal inspections" (carried out by a competent person).
- Daily Checks (User Checks): These are visual inspections to ensure nothing obstructs the door. Staff should ensure that fire doors are never wedged open and that self-closing devices are not disconnected. This is a basic but vital part of maintaining safety.
- Formal Inspections: These require a deeper level of knowledge. A competent person must inspect the door's components, such as intumescent strips, cold smoke seals, hinges, and the gap around the door leaf. These inspections look for wear and tear that might compromise the door's fire resistance.
The frequency of these formal inspections is typically recommended every six months for general business premises, but this should be dictated by the findings of your fire risk assessment.
What to Look For During an Inspection
A thorough fire door inspection involves checking several key components to ensure the door will perform correctly in a fire. Common defects found during inspections include:
- Gaps: The gaps around the door leaf should be consistent and generally between 3mm and 4mm when the door is closed. Excessive gaps can allow smoke and fire to pass through.
- Intumescent Seals: These strips are usually located in the door frame or edge. They expand when heated to seal the gap. They must be present, intact, and not painted over.
- Hinges: There should be the correct number of hinges (usually a minimum of three), and they must be firmly fixed with no missing screws.
- Self-Closing Devices: The door closer must effectively close the door from any open position and latch it securely without slamming.
- Damage: Any damage to the door leaf or glazing aperture can significantly reduce the fire rating.
If any of these elements are faulty, the door may fail to provide the required protection, potentially breaching Regulation 17.
The Role of the Fire Risk Assessment
The starting point for all compliance is the fire risk assessment. This document evaluates the risks in your premises and determines the control measures needed. If your fire risk assessment highlights that fire doors are essential for the safety strategy, you must maintain them.
If your current assessment does not detail the condition, location, or inspection frequency of your fire doors, it may not be suitable or sufficient. In such cases, updating the assessment is the priority. The assessment should highlight which doors are fire doors and set a schedule for their inspection based on the level of risk and usage.
Competence and Record Keeping
The law requires that maintenance be performed by a "competent person." This means someone with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out the task effectively. While a member of staff can perform daily checks, a formal inspection of fire door hardware often requires a specialist.
Furthermore, you must keep records of these inspections. In the event of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Fire and Rescue Service, you will need to demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to maintain your fire doors. A logbook showing dates of inspections, defects found, and remedial actions taken is your primary evidence of compliance.
How HawkSwift Can Help
Ensuring your fire doors meet Regulation 17 standards can be technical and time-consuming. At HawkSwift Ltd, we provide professional compliance support to businesses across the UK. Our team includes NEBOSH-qualified assessors who understand the nuances of UK fire safety legislation.
We offer comprehensive fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, delivered with a 48-hour report turnaround. A HawkSwift assessment will identify your fire doors, assess their condition, and provide clear guidance on your maintenance obligations under the FSO.
Don't leave your compliance to chance. To ensure your premises are safe and legally sound, book a fire risk assessment with our expert team today.
Quick answers
Q: How often do fire doors need to be inspected in the UK?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires maintenance to be adequate based on a fire risk assessment. Formal inspections are typically recommended every six months for general business premises.
Q: What does Regulation 17 of the FSO 2005 require?
Regulation 17 mandates that the Responsible Person ensures fire safety facilities and equipment are maintained in efficient working order and good repair. This legal duty includes the maintenance of fire doors.
Q: What should I check during a fire door inspection?
You must check that gaps around the door leaf are consistent and generally between 3mm and 4mm. Inspections should also verify that intumescent seals are intact and not painted over.
