When a fire door will not close or latch
A fire door only holds back fire and smoke when it is shut. If it stops short, bounces off the latch or stays open, it is one of the most important faults to put right, and often one of the simplest.
Two pushes to find out
Government guidance for England describes two simple tests for a door with a self closer.
- Open the door fully, then let it go
- Open the door to around 15 degrees, then let it go
Both times the door should close fully into its frame on its own, and the latch should catch. If a door is held open on a magnet linked to the fire alarm, use the test button where there is one, rather than pulling the door off the magnet.
Why fire doors stop closing
- The closer needs adjusting, or has failed and is leaking oil
- Loose hinges or missing hinge screws
- The door has dropped and rubs on the frame or floor
- The latch no longer lines up with the keep in the frame
- Seals painted over, swollen or catching
- New flooring that the door now drags on
- Air pressure from open windows or ventilation pushing against the door
Most of these are put right by adjusting or replacing the closer, refixing the hinges or easing the door. It is maintenance work rather than a new door.
Keep it shut, keep it working
Do not take a closer off or disconnect it, and do not wedge a fire door open. A door that needs to stay open for people to use the building can be fitted with a hold open device that releases when the fire alarm sounds. Residents should be told not to tamper with closers, and to report a door that will not shut.
What people ask about closing
Can a fire door closer be adjusted?
Most overhead closers have adjustment for closing speed and the final snap that pulls the door onto the latch. It is a job for someone competent, and the door should pass both tests afterwards.
Why does my fire door close on its own but not latch?
Usually the closer needs its final stage adjusting, the latch has moved out of line with the keep, or a seal is catching. Each of these is a small repair.
Is it a problem if a fire door is wedged open?
Yes. A wedged fire door cannot do its job, and it is the kind of failing a fire safety inspector takes seriously. If a door needs to stay open, ask about a hold open device linked to the fire alarm.
Check your doors now
Door by Door is our free fire door check. Walk round with your phone, answer the checks at each door and add photos of anything wrong. You get a dated report by email to file, or to forward to whoever fixes it.
A plain summary, not legal advice
This guide follows the rules in England. Wales shares the Fire Safety Order but not the 2022 England regulations, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety law. Your fire risk assessment is the place that says what applies to your building, and a self check never replaces a fire door inspection by a competent person.
We put fire doors right across County Durham, Teesside and Tyne and Wear. If you are further away, a dated report from Door by Door is exactly what a local fire door specialist will want to see.
Tell us where to start
Ring Wayne Cator, our Managing Director, or send us the details and we will come back to you.