Fire door inspection checklist – UK

Check that intumescent strips are continuous around the door or frame with no damage or paint covering them. Ensure smoke seals compress easily when the door closes and create a proper seal. Look for any missing sections, and also verify that the channels securely hold the seals while uou replace any damaged or missing seals with the correct specification for that specific fire door.

Check that the door closes fully from any open position without assistance, completes its closing action within 25 seconds, and latches securely. Test the door from various angles (75° and 5° open) to ensure consistent self-closing action. If the door fails to close properly or slams shut, adjust the closer tension which will also verify that hold-open devices release when the fire alarm activates.

For commercial buildings, BS 9999 recommends inspecting fire doors every six months. However, in high-traffic areas or buildings with increased fire risks, consider more frequent inspections (quarterly). The inspection frequency can depend on your fire risk assessment, taking into account door usage patterns, building occupancy, and environmental conditions. Always document your inspection schedule rationale.

Document each defect with its specific location and nature, assign priority levels based on risk (high/medium/low), specify required corrective actions, set completion deadlines, assign responsibility to specific individuals, and include follow-up inspection dates. Also, be specific about replacement parts needed and reference relevant standards or regulations to ensure repairs meet compliance requirements.