Key obligations and regulations for fire doors in the UK

In the UK, fire door regulations are part of broader fire safety regulations aimed at protecting life and property. The primary legislation governing fire safety, including fire doors, is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). Below are the key obligations and regulations for fire doors in the UK:

1. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

• Responsible Person: The person responsible for the premises, such as the building owner, landlord, employer, or manager, is responsible for ensuring fire doors comply with regulations.
• Fire Risk Assessment: The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment that includes evaluating fire doors, ensuring they are suitable and adequate for fire containment.
• Maintenance: Fire doors must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are functional and effective.

2. Building Regulations (Approved Document B)

• New Builds and Major Alterations: Fire doors must be installed in accordance with the requirements in **Approved Document B** of the Building Regulations, which covers fire safety in buildings.
• FD30/FD60 Fire Door Ratings: Fire doors are classified based on how long they can resist fire (e.g., FD30 doors provide 30 minutes of fire resistance, and FD60 doors provide 60 minutes).
• Installation: Proper installation is crucial, ensuring that the door, frame, and seals (including intumescent seals) are all correctly fitted to meet the specified fire resistance.

3. Fire Door Testing and Certification

• CE Marking: Fire doors should carry a CE marking indicating they meet the necessary performance standards.
• Third-Party Certification: Many fire doors in the UK are certified by third-party schemes such as the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), which ensures they have passed the appropriate fire safety tests.

4. Regular Inspection and Maintenance

• Fire doors must be regularly inspected to ensure that:
• Hinges, closers, and seals are in good working order.
• The door closes fully and without obstruction.
• Any gaps between the door and frame do not exceed 3-4mm.
• Fire door inspections should be part of ongoing fire safety checks, and any issues should be rectified immediately.

5. Markings and Signage

• Fire doors must be clearly marked with appropriate signage (e.g., "Fire Door – Keep Shut").
• Fire exit doors should also be marked with signs indicating that they are fire exits.

6. Doors on Escape Routes

• Fire doors on escape routes must be easy to open and not locked in a way that prevents escape in an emergency.
• They must allow quick and easy access to exits and must not be obstructed.

7. Tenants and Employers' Responsibilities

• Landlords and employers are also responsible for ensuring that fire doors are compliant with regulations, and this is typically addressed in the fire risk assessment. Tenants, employees, and users of the building should be aware of fire door safety and not tamper with fire doors (e.g., propping them open).

It's important to ensure ongoing compliance through regular assessments and checks to meet the safety standards in place.

The frequency of inspections

The UK fire safety regulations, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, do not prescribe an exact frequency for fire door checks. Instead, they require that fire doors are "regularly" inspected and maintained to ensure they remain in good working order. The frequency of checks should be based on the building's fire risk assessment, which takes into account factors such as the building's usage, occupancy, and level of fire risk.

However, industry best practices and guidance documents provide some general recommendations:

1. Routine Fire Door Checks (General Recommendations):

• Daily/Weekly: Routine visual inspections can be carried out to ensure the door closes properly, is not damaged, and is not obstructed. These checks could be incorporated into daily or weekly building safety checks.

• Monthly: More detailed checks might be recommended on a monthly basis, especially in high-risk environments (e.g., hospitals, care homes, or high-occupancy commercial buildings). This might include testing that the door closes properly, checking the gaps, and ensuring signage is in place.

2. Detailed Fire Door Inspections (Industry Best Practices):

Every Six Months: A more in-depth inspection is generally recommended at least every six months. This inspection should be performed by a competent person who can check for issues like:

• Gaps between the door and frame.
• Integrity of intumescent seals and smoke seals.
• Condition of door hinges, closers, and hardware.
• Functionality of the door closer (ensuring the door closes fully and securely).
• High-traffic areas or doors that are used frequently might need more regular inspections (e.g., every 3 months).

3. Annual Checks:

Many experts recommend that fire doors undergo a full and thorough inspection at least once a year by a qualified professional. This could form part of the building's overall fire safety audit, ensuring full compliance with regulations.

Tailoring Inspections Based on Risk Assessment:
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The fire risk assessment will determine the actual frequency of fire door checks in a specific building. For example:

• High-Risk Areas (e.g., kitchens, boiler rooms, escape routes): More frequent checks are advised.
• Low-Risk Areas: Less frequent checks may be sufficient.

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) recommend that inspections are done regularly and properly documented, especially in high-risk environments. Even though the law does not mandate an exact frequency, keeping a consistent schedule of checks helps demonstrate compliance with fire safety obligations. Maintaining a clear record of these inspections and any necessary repairs is also critical to demonstrate ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for reference purposes only and reflects current fire door regulations at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, fire safety legislation may change over time. Readers are advised to consult official sources or seek professional advice to confirm compliance with the most up-to-date regulations.