How often fire doors should be checked
It depends on the building. For blocks of flats in England with a top storey above 11 metres, the law sets the timetable. Everywhere else your fire risk assessment does, and a regular simple check is how you show it is being kept to.
The 11 metre rule
Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 applies where the top storey of a block of flats is above 11 metres, which is typically more than four storeys. The responsible person must:
- Check any fire doors in the communal areas at least every three months, including their self closers
- Use best endeavours to check every flat entrance fire door at least every 12 months
- Keep a record of the steps taken to check flat entrance doors, including where access was not given
Smaller blocks, care homes, shops and offices
The Fire Safety Order requires the responsible person to keep fire safety measures, which include fire doors, in efficient working order and good repair. It does not set one national frequency, so your fire risk assessment should say how often your doors need checking.
As a starting point, many buildings use a monthly walk round with a closer look at every fire door every three months. That is our suggestion rather than the law. In England, any building with two or more flats must also tell residents about fire doors when they move in and every year after.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Wales shares the Fire Safety Order, but the 2022 England regulations do not apply there. Scotland has the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Northern Ireland has the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. In each, the fire risk assessment is where the right frequency for your building is set.
What a good record looks like
- The date, and which door you checked
- The result of each check, not just a tick for the door
- A photograph of every fault, with the date showing
- Who it was reported to, and when it was put right
- Any flat you could not get into, and what you did about it
What people ask about frequency
Who is responsible for checking fire doors?
The responsible person for the building, usually the employer, owner, landlord or managing agent. Residents and staff should report any fault they notice straight away.
Can fire door checks be done in house?
Yes. Government guidance for England says the checks are simple and visual, and the responsible person or their staff can carry them out with simple instruction.
Do flat front doors have to be checked?
In England, in blocks with a top storey above 11 metres, the responsible person must use best endeavours to check them at least every 12 months. In other buildings, your fire risk assessment says what is needed.
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.