Fire Door Inspection Guide 2026

What is a fire door inspection?

A fire door inspection is a check of whether a fire door and its components appear suitable, complete, undamaged and able to perform their intended role.

A fire door is not only a door leaf. It includes the frame, seals, hinges, closer, latch or lock, ironmongery, glazing, threshold, surrounding construction and the way the door is used.

Inspection can range from a simple visual check by a responsible person to a more detailed inspection by a competent fire door inspector.

The purpose is to identify defects, deterioration, alterations or missing evidence so that the fire door can be maintained, repaired, replaced or escalated for professional advice where needed.

Key takeaway: Fire door inspection is about the whole installed door system, not just the visible door leaf.

Simple checks vs competent inspection

A simple fire door check is usually a visual and functional check intended to find obvious issues such as damage, missing seals, poor closing, broken glazing, altered hardware or signs that the door is not being kept in good repair.

A competent fire door inspection is more detailed. It may consider the door's evidence, rating, components, frame, installation, gaps, certification, compatibility, condition, maintenance history and whether remedial action is possible.

Simple checks are useful, but they should not be treated as a replacement for competent inspection where the door is high-risk, defective, undocumented, altered, part of a formal programme, or linked to a fire risk assessment finding.

Key takeaway: Simple checks find obvious problems; competent inspections help decide what those problems mean.

Regulation 10 fire door checks in England

In England, Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced specific fire door duties for relevant multi-occupied residential buildings.

For multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 metres in height, responsible persons must carry out checks of fire doors in communal areas at least every 3 months and use best endeavours to check flat entrance fire doors at least every 12 months.

For all multi-occupied residential buildings with common parts, responsible persons must provide residents with information about the importance of fire doors.

Key takeaway: Regulation 10 makes fire door checks and resident information a clear management issue in relevant residential buildings in England.

What should a simple fire door check look for?

A simple check should look for obvious issues that may stop the door from working as intended.

The check should consider the door leaf, frame, seals, hinges, closer, latch or lock, glazing, visible damage, signs of alteration, and whether the door closes properly.

The check should also consider how the door is being used. A good fire door can still fail in practice if it is wedged open, obstructed, damaged, tampered with or ignored.

• Does the door close fully from different open positions?
• Is the self-closing device present and apparently working?
• Is the door leaf visibly damaged, split, warped or holed?
• Is the frame visibly damaged, loose or distorted?
• Are seals missing, loose, damaged, painted over or interrupted?
• Are hinges secure, complete and visibly undamaged?
• Is glazing secure, undamaged and apparently fire-resisting where required?
• Has hardware been added, removed or altered?
• Is the door wedged open or obstructed?
• Are there signs of poor repair, unauthorised alteration or missing components?

Key takeaway: A simple check should identify visible defects and functional problems, not make unverified technical conclusions.

Common fire door defects

Fire door defects can arise through wear, impact damage, poor installation, unsuitable alterations, missing maintenance or misuse.

Common defects include doors not closing fully, damaged frames, missing or damaged seals, loose hinges, poor latching, holes from removed hardware, damaged glazing, unsuitable letterplates, excessive visible gaps and doors being wedged open.

Some defects may be simple to record but difficult to interpret. Whether a door can be remediated or must be replaced should be decided by a competent person with reference to the door evidence and required performance.

Key takeaway: Finding a defect is only the first step; deciding what to do about it may need competent advice.

Inspection records and evidence

Fire door checks should be recorded in a way that helps the responsible person or building manager show what was checked, when it was checked, what was found and what happened next.

Useful records may include door location, asset number, date checked, person checking, defects found, photographs, priority level, remedial action, contractor details, completion date and follow-up check.

For larger buildings, a door asset register can make inspection and remedial management much easier.

Where labels, plugs or product records are missing, a door may be described as nominal or notional — meaning uncertainty, not proof of performance. See Understand nominal and notional fire doors before assuming an older door is suitable.

• Door location or asset number
• Date of check or inspection
• Name or role of person carrying out the check
• Visible condition of the door leaf and frame
• Closer and latching observations
• Seal, hinge, glazing and hardware observations
• Photographs of defects where useful
• Action required
• Priority or risk category
• Date remedial action was completed
• Evidence of completion
• Next review or follow-up date

Key takeaway: A fire door inspection programme needs records, not just good intentions.

When should you use a competent fire door inspector?

A competent fire door inspector should be considered where the building risk is higher, the doors are numerous, the defects are unclear, the fire risk assessment requires action, the door evidence is missing, or major remedial decisions are needed.

A competent inspector may also be appropriate before large replacement programmes, before accepting completed works, after repeated defects, or where there is disagreement between residents, contractors and building managers.

Inspection competence should be checked carefully. A badge, membership or course title should not be accepted blindly. Ask what the inspection covers, what standard or framework is being used, what evidence will be reviewed and what the report will include.

Key takeaway: Use a competent inspector when you need more than a basic visual check.

What should a fire door inspection report include?

A good inspection report should help the building owner or responsible person understand the condition of each door and the action required.

The report should be clear enough to support remedial planning, budgeting, contractor instructions and future audit trails.

A report that simply says "pass" or "fail" without explaining the door location, defect, evidence, risk and recommended action may be of limited practical value.

• Building and client details
• Scope of inspection
• Limitations and exclusions
• Door schedule or asset list
• Door locations
• Observed defects
• Photographic evidence
• Risk or priority rating
• Recommended remedial action
• Items requiring further investigation
• Inspector details
• Date of inspection

Key takeaway: The best inspection reports help people act, not just file paperwork.

Flat entrance doors, residents and access

Flat entrance doors can be difficult to check because access often requires resident cooperation.

Responsible persons should give residents clear information about why the checks matter, what will be checked, how appointments will be arranged and how defects should be reported.

Residents should avoid altering flat entrance fire doors without consent or competent advice. Changes to closers, locks, letterplates, viewers, seals, glazing or trimming can affect performance.

Key takeaway: Good resident communication helps fire door checks happen in practice.

What happens after a defect is found?

Once a defect is found, it should be recorded, assessed and acted on proportionately.

Some issues may need urgent action, especially where a door does not close, is seriously damaged, protects an escape route, or affects a high-risk area.

Other issues may require planned remedial works, further investigation or replacement. The key is to avoid recording defects and then leaving them unmanaged.

Key takeaway: A defect log is only useful if it leads to action and follow-up.

Inspection vs remediation

Inspection identifies condition and defects. Remediation is the work carried out to address those defects.

The person inspecting the door and the person carrying out remedial works may be different. Where the same company does both, the scope, evidence and recommendations should still be clear.

Remedial works should be compatible with the door evidence and the required performance. If that cannot be established, replacement may be more appropriate.

Key takeaway: Inspection should lead to a clear, evidenced remedial plan.

Questions to ask before booking a fire door inspection

Before booking an inspection, be clear about what you need.

A responsible person may need a formal door-by-door inspection report. A resident may only need to report an obvious fault. A landlord may need checks, records and a remedial plan.

Asking the right questions before the inspection helps avoid paying for the wrong service.

Key takeaway: The right inspection scope depends on the building, the doors, the risk and the reason for the inspection.