Fire Door Inspection Services
Fire Door Inspection Services
Fire–resisting door sets are a vital passive fire protection measure and will be found in almost all buildings, protecting escape routes and areas of high fire risk, for example. They are often subject to damage due to misuse or general wear and tear and should undergo regular inspection to ensure they continue to function properly.
In most buildings, fire–resisting door sets are a legal obligation under both Building Regulations and to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales (and similar legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland). They can protect escape routes and high–risk or high–value areas and prevent extensive losses.
A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment will typically involve a review of the existing condition of existing fire door sets. However, the scope of a fire risk assessment will not extensively cover all fire doors and frames.
What is included?
A non-intrusive survey comprising:
- The fire-resisting qualities of the fire door hinges and all door hardware.
- The condition, fitting, and operation of the hinges and hardware
- A review of fire door signage
- A check of the condition and operation of any hold-open devices
- A check of the fire door closing devices and their ability to effectively close the door sets.
- A check for fire door certification
- An inspection of the locks and latches to ensure they are operational.
- An inspection of any vision panels, glazing and review of their suitability
- An inspection of the cold smoke seals
- An inspection of the intumescent strips
- An assessment of the fire-resisting qualities of the door set, including its thickness
- A review of the gaps between the leaf and frame – including the threshold for suitability
- A visual inspection of the fire door frame
- A visual inspection of the door leaf
- A review of the materials used in the installation of the doors
An intrusive survey would additionally include the removal of any architraves to assess whether the firestopping is installed correctly in line with manufacturer specifications.
Following the survey, you will receive:
- Annotated plans of each floor of your building showing the location of each fire door
- Details of each non-compliant, nominal, and compliant fire door identified.
- A detailed checklist review of all elements of each fire door and remedial actions
- Costs for remediation of each door – if required.
FAQs
Why do fire doors need regular inspection?
Fire doors are an important part of a building’s passive fire protection measures. Everyday use, accidental damage, poor alterations and general wear can affect how a door performs, so regular inspections help identify issues before they compromise the door set.
What is checked during a fire door inspection?
A fire door inspection reviews key elements including the door leaf, frame, hinges, closers, locks, latches, seals, intumescent strips, glazing, signage, gaps and hold-open devices. The inspection also considers whether the door closes correctly and whether its components appear suitable.
Does a fire risk assessment inspect every fire door?
A fire risk assessment may include a general review of fire doors, but it does not usually provide a full, door-by-door inspection. A dedicated fire door survey gives a more detailed assessment of each door set and identifies specific remedial requirements.
What is the difference between a non-intrusive and intrusive fire door survey?
A non-intrusive survey assesses visible aspects of the fire door set without removing finishes. An intrusive survey may involve removing items such as architraves where necessary to inspect concealed firestopping and installation details around the frame.
What information is included in the fire door inspection report?
The report can include annotated floor plans showing door locations, a detailed checklist for each inspected door, the status of each door and recommended remedial actions. Where requested, remedial costs can also be provided to assist with planning and budgeting.
