Question 1

What are the legal requirements for fire doors in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Proper Installation: Fire doors must be installed with correct hardware, including self-closing mechanisms, intumescent seals, and fire-rated hinges to ensure the door functions correctly during a fire.

Self-Closing Mechanisms: Fire doors must be fitted with a door closer that ensures the door automatically shuts tightly, preventing smoke or flames from passing through.

Intumescent Seals: Must be installed around the perimeter of the door to expand and seal gaps when exposed to heat, stopping the spread of smoke and fire.

Fire-Rated Hinges and Locks: Only fire-rated hinges and locks should be used to ensure the door’s structural integrity during a fire.

Regular Inspections: Fire doors require annual inspections and ongoing maintenance to ensure proper functionality.

Question 2

What are the minimum gap requirements for a Fire Door?

Accepted Answer

For standard fire doors, the maximum gap allowances are:
Top: 3-4mm
Sides: 3-4mm 
Threshold: 10mm

For smoke fire doors, the  maximum gap allowances are:
Top: 3-4mm
Sides: 3-4mm 
Threshold: 3mm

Question 3

How often should fire doors be inspected in commercial and residential buildings?

Accepted Answer

Commercial Buildings (e.g., offices, schools, hospitals)
 • Annually: Formal inspection of all fire doors by a competent person (required by Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005).
 • Quarterly (every 3 months): Recommended for high-traffic areas (e.g. corridors & exits).
 • Monthly visual checks: Advised for facilities staff to spot damage or wear.
 • After installation/repairs: Immediate reinspection following any maintenance work

Residential Buildings (general housing under 11m)
 • Annually: For flat entrance doors that are fire-rated, especially in HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation).

Residential Buildings Over 11 Metres (multi-storey blocks)
 • Annually: Full inspection of all flat entrance doors that open into communal areas (also a legal requirement).
 • Quarterly (every 3 months): Mandatory check of flat entrance fire doors in communal areas (as per Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, in effect from Jan 2023).
 • After installation/repairs: Immediate reinspection following any maintenance work

Question 4

Are intumescent strips required on all fire doors?

Accepted Answer

Intumescent strips are indeed a critical component of fire door assemblies. These strips are designed to expand when exposed to high temperatures, sealing gaps around the door to prevent the passage of smoke and fire.

According to current building regulations and fire safety standards, intumescent strips are required on the majority of fire doors to ensure maximum protection.

We recommend consulting with our experts to ensure your fire doors meet all relevant safety standards and provide optimum protection in the event of a fire.

Question 5

What is involved in a Fire Door Inspection

Accepted Answer

A Fire Door Inspection involves checking several key aspects to ensure compliance with fire safety standards:
 • Visual Check: Assess the door for damage, warping, and overall condition. Certified doors will be installed with a label that identifies where the door was manufactured & other critical pieces of information. 
 • Door Hardware: Test the self-closing mechanism, ensure fire-rated hinges, locks, and handles are intact and working properly.
 • Seals and Gaps: Inspect intumescent seals and measure the gap size (typically 3–4 mm on sides/tops, up to 10 mm at the bottom of a fire door and 3mm at the threshold of a smoke door).
 • Functionality: Ensure the door closes tightly, latches securely, and operates smoothly.
 • Frame Integrity: Check the door frame for damage or distortion that could impact sealing.
 • Compliance: Verify the fire door meets the required fire rating for its location and purpose.

Once all of these components have been checked & documented, our inspectors will write up a report of the finding and recommend any maintenance or repairs works that are required to bring the doors back into compliance.

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