Guide · updated 9 October 2026
Fire door inspection checklist
Short answer: Ten checks cover most fire door faults: evidence of rating, leaf and frame condition, gaps, seals, hinges, closer, latch, glazing, hardware and signage. Anything that fails should be recorded with a photo and put right.
- Gaps typically 2–4 mm
- Door must close and latch unaided
- At least three hinges on most leaves
- Seals continuous and unpainted
What should be on a fire door checklist?
A fire door checklist should cover the ten things that most often cause a fire door to fail. Use it for routine checks between professional inspections, and record the result for every door every time.
- Evidence of rating. Look for a label or plug on the top or hinge edge. Record it; if there is none, note it for your fire risk assessor.
- Leaf and frame. No holes, splits, delamination, large dents or signs the door has been cut down.
- Gaps. Gaps at the head and edges usually 2–4 mm unless the door's evidence says otherwise. A pound coin is about 3 mm thick and is a rough guide, not a measurement.
- Threshold. The gap under the door within the limit for that door; smoke control doors usually need a tight gap or a drop seal.
- Seals. Intumescent strips and smoke seals present all round, continuous, undamaged and not painted.
- Hinges. Usually at least three, all screws present, no wear, oil staining or movement.
- Closer. Open the door fully and let go. It should close fully into the frame and engage the latch. Repeat from half open.
- Latch and lock. Latch engages the keep cleanly; no extra bolts or chains through the leaf.
- Glazing. Glass uncracked, beads secure, and markings showing fire-rated glass where visible.
- Signage and use. The right sign is fitted, and the door is not wedged or propped open.
How often should I use the checklist?
In England, communal fire doors in residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres must be checked at least every three months under regulation 10. Elsewhere, many responsible persons check high-traffic doors monthly and all fire doors at least every six months, in line with BS 9999 guidance and their fire risk assessment.
When should I call a professional?
Use a competent inspector for a full baseline inspection, whenever the checklist finds a fault you cannot explain, after any alteration to a fire door, and whenever your fire risk assessment asks for a specialist assessment.
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Related questions
How long does a fire door inspection take?
Typically 10 to 20 minutes per door, depending on access and how many defects need photographing. A block with 40 communal doors is usually a single day on site.
Do you need to remove the doors?
No. Inspections are non-intrusive. The inspector measures, operates and photographs each door in place and only lifts away removable items such as letter-plate covers where it is safe to do so.
Which buildings need quarterly fire door checks?
In England, regulation 10 applies to multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres. All fire doors in the common parts must be checked at least every three months. Lift landing doors are excluded.
Does the person doing the check have to be certificated?
The government fact sheet says the responsible person should be able to do the basic checks themselves and that a specialist is not needed for them. Many responsible persons still outsource the checks to make sure they happen on time and are properly recorded.
Sources checked 9 October 2026: GOV.UK Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 fact sheets; BSI and FPA announcements on BS 8214:2026; FDIS published inspection data. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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