Fire Door Surveys

Fire resisting door sets are a vital passive fire protection measure and will be found in almost all buildings, providing protection to escape routes and areas of high fire risk. 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. Fire door inspections allow for remedial work to be identified and subsequently implemented to ensure the spread of fire can be minimised and provide building occupants with additional time to escape.

The objective of fire resisting door sets is to assist in preventing the spread of smoke and flames in the event of a building fire. Fire resisting compartmentation is used alongside door sets to subdivide the building. In most buildings, this fire protection is 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). It can protect escape routes, high-risk or high-value areas, and prevent extensive losses.

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The Importance of Fire Door Surveys

Fire door surveys are a crucial aspect of maintaining fire safety in residential buildings. These surveys ensure that fire doors are in good condition and capable of performing their essential role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke. Here’s why fire door surveys are indispensable and what the current legislation says about them:

Legal Requirements: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), responsible persons (usually building owners or managers) must ensure that fire doors are properly maintained and fit for purpose. The Fire Safety Act 2021 further clarified that fire doors, including flat entrance doors, must be included in fire risk assessments

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: These regulations, which came into force on January 23, 2023, implement recommendations from the Grenfell
Tower Inquiry. They mandate that responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 meters in height must undertake regular checks on fire doors. Specifically, fire doors at the entrances to individual flats must be checked at least every 12 months, and fire doors in communal areas must be checked every three months

Life Safety: Fire doors are designed to withstand fire for a specific period, usually 30 or 60 minutes, to allow occupants to evacuate safely. Regular surveys ensure that these doors can perform their function effectively, providing critical time for evacuation and reducing the risk of injury or death.

Property Protection: By containing the spread of fire and smoke, fire doors help to minimize damage to property. This containment can prevent a small fire from becoming a major incident, thereby protecting the building and its contents.

Compliance and Liability: Regular fire door surveys help ensure compliance with fire safety legislation, reducing the risk of legal penalties and liability in the event of a fire. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and legal action, especially if it leads to injury or loss of life.

Soteria fire door inspectors conduct comprehensive, non-destructive fire door surveys and deliver detailed reports on the condition of the entire door set.

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