Fire doors are far from ordinary doors. They are a critical component of a building’s passive fire protection system, meticulously designed and installed to save lives and limit property damage. As a Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) – whether you’re a landlord, building owner, facilities manager, or employer – you have a legal and moral obligation to ensure your fire doors are always compliant and functional.
But what does that actually mean in practice? It’s easy to inadvertently compromise a fire door’s integrity through well-meaning but misguided actions. This in-depth guide will clarify precisely what you can and, more importantly, cannot do to fire doors in the UK.
What You Can Do To Fire Doors
Maintaining compliant fire doors is about regular inspection, proper maintenance, and understanding their critical role.
1. Conduct Regular Inspections and Maintain Records
Routine Checks
You can and must regularly check your fire doors. The RRFSO mandates that the Responsible Person carries out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, which includes an assessment of fire doors.
Here is what should be checked:
- Gaps: Ensure the gaps around the door and frame are consistent and no larger than 3mm.
- Seals: Check intumescent seals and cold smoke seals are present, undamaged, and correctly fitted within the door or frame.
- Closers: Verify the self-closing device (if applicable) fully closes the door from any open position, latching securely without slamming.
- Hinges: Check hinges are robust, correctly fitted (usually three per door), and not loose or damaged.
- Damage: Look for any signs of damage to the door leaf or frame.
- Signage: Ensure correct “Fire door – Keep shut” signage is present and legible on both sides.
You can learn more about how to perform fire door checks in our blog post Fire Door Inspection Checklist: What You Need to Do Each Year.
Professional Inspections
While routine checks are vital, you can and should engage a competent fire door professional for comprehensive, in-depth inspections. This is especially crucial for high-traffic doors, after building work, or if you suspect damage. Most guidance recommends professional inspections every 6-12 months.
Keep Records
You must keep detailed records of all fire door inspections, maintenance, and repairs. This is crucial for demonstrating due diligence and forms part of the required Golden Thread Documentation; a secure, digital record of a building’s safety information, proving that your fire door’s initial specifications, materials, and ongoing maintenance meet the highest safety standards.
This continuous, accurate record is vital evidence in the event of an incident or enforcement action.
2. Repair Damage Professionally
- Minor Repairs: You can address very minor, superficial damage, such as touching up paint, provided it does not compromise the door’s integrity or performance.
- Professional Repair: For anything beyond superficial issues – such as damage to the door leaf, frame, hinges, intumescent strips, or closers – you must engage a specialist fire door repair service.
- Replacement Parts: Any replacement parts (e.g. hinges, closers, seals) must be CE marked and compatible with the fire door’s original certification. Using non-compliant parts will void the door’s fire rating.
3. Ensure Proper Use
- Keep Clear: You can and must ensure the area around fire doors is kept clear of obstructions at all times.
- Educate Occupants: You can and should educate building occupants on the importance of fire doors and the dangers of propping them open.
What You Can’t Do To Fire Doors
Even seemingly minor alterations can critically compromise a fire door’s ability to perform in a fire.
1. Never Prop Open Fire Doors
You cannot under any circumstances wedge, prop open, or disable the self-closing mechanism of a fire door. This is one of the most common and dangerous breaches of fire safety regulations.
This is because fire doors are designed to be kept shut to compartmentalise a building, containing fire and smoke. A propped-open door provides a direct pathway for fire and smoke to spread, jeopardising escape routes and lives.
The only exception is the use of legally compliant electromagnetic hold-open devices that are linked to the building’s fire alarm system, automatically releasing the door upon activation. These must be correctly installed and maintained.
2. Do Not Remove or Damage Essential Components
- Intumescent and Smoke Seals: You cannot remove, paint over, or damage the intumescent strips (which expand in heat to seal gaps) or cold smoke seals (which prevent smoke passage) around the door or frame. Without these, fire and smoke will quickly penetrate.
- Self-Closing Devices: You cannot remove, disable, or tamper with the self-closing device. If a fire door is meant to self-close, it must do so reliably.
- Hinges: You cannot use non-fire-rated hinges or remove more than one hinge at a time during maintenance. Hinges are integral to the door’s fire resistance.
3. Never Compromise the Door Leaf or Frame
Drilling/Modifying
You cannot drill holes, cut the door down significantly, or add non-compliant fixtures (e.g. cat flaps, additional locks) to a fire door leaf without professional assessment and certification. Even small holes can create pathways for fire.
Painting/Finishing
While applying a single, new coat of paint is generally acceptable, you cannot apply so many layers of paint that it impedes the operation of the door (by increasing its thickness), covers the essential intumescent or smoke seals, or reduces the vital clearances and gaps around the frame.
Excessive paint layers can stick the door in the frame, preventing it from closing properly, or even interfere with the chemical composition of fire-retardant materials.
Adding Panels/Glazing
You cannot add vision panels or glazing to a fire door yourself. Any glazing in a fire door must be fire-rated glass, installed by a specialist, and part of the door’s original certification.
You can learn more about glazing in fire doors in our blog post Can Fire Doors Contain Glazing? Everything You Need To Know.
4. Avoid DIY Repairs or Unqualified Installers
- Competent Persons Only: You cannot carry out significant repairs, modifications, or installations of fire doors unless you are a competent person trained and certified in fire door specific work. This means having the necessary knowledge, experience, and accreditations (e.g. through schemes like Firas or BM Trada).
- Incorrect Installation: A fire door installed incorrectly, even if it’s a certified door, will fail in a fire. Misalignment, incorrect frame fitting, or improper gap sizing will compromise its integrity.
5. Do Not Ignore Warning Signs or Enforcement Notices
- Neglect: You cannot ignore signs of wear and tear, damage, or concerns raised during a fire risk assessment. Proactive maintenance is key.
- Enforcement: You cannot disregard an Enforcement Notice or Prohibition Notice issued by the Fire and Rescue Authority. Failure to comply can lead to significant fines and even imprisonment.
You can learn about the penalties and consequences of ignoring warning signs and enforcement notices in our blog post What Are The Penalties for Non-Compliant Fire Doors?
Conclusion: Call a Professional
Fire doors are complex engineered safety devices. Attempting DIY solutions or cutting corners can have devastating legal, financial, and, most importantly, human consequences. For any significant work, repairs, or if you are unsure about the condition or compliance of your fire doors, the message is clear: always consult a competent and certified fire door services company.
Investing in professional fire door maintenance is not just a cost; it’s an essential investment in the safety of your building and its occupants, ensuring you meet your legal obligations as a Responsible Person.
Why Choose Fire Door Care?
Protect your property and ensure safety with our expert fire door services! We specialize in professional fire door installation, inspection, and repair, ensuring full compliance with fire door regulations. Our certified team delivers high-quality solutions to enhance fire resistance, prevent smoke spread, and safeguard lives. Whether you need a new fire door, routine inspections, or urgent repairs, we provide reliable and cost-effective services tailored to your needs.
- Safety First: We prioritise protecting lives and properties by ensuring every fire door meets the highest safety standards.
- Uncompromising Quality: Our expert team delivers precision craftsmanship and reliable solutions for long-lasting fire protection.
- Integrity You Can Trust: We are committed to honest, transparent, and dependable service at every step of the process.
- Customer Focused: Your safety is our mission. We tailor every inspection, repair, and installation to your unique needs.
If you would like to find out more about our fire door services, or would like help, advice or a quote please feel free to call us on 0203 488 5923 or send us a message here.
