Fire doors are the most frequently failed element of passive fire protection. With mandatory inspection requirements now in force, here's what every building owner needs to know about compliance.. The Fire Door Problem Fire doors are the unsung heroes of building safety — and the most commonly defective element we encounter. In our surveys, over 70% of buildings have at least one fire door deficiency, and in many cases, the failures are systematic across the entire building. The consequences of fire door failure are stark. At Grenfell Tower, defective fire doors contributed to the rapid spread of smoke through the building. The public inquiry found doors that should have resisted fire for 30 minutes failing in under 15. Mandatory Inspection Requirements The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced mandatory fire door inspection requirements for residential buildings: Buildings Over 11m Annual inspection of all fire doors in communal areas Best endeavours to inspect flat entrance doors Inspections must be carried out by a competent person Results must be recorded and retained Buildings Over 18m (Higher Risk) Quarterly inspection of all fire doors in communal areas Annual inspection of all flat entrance doors Must be included in the building's Safety Case Report Fire door information forms part of the golden thread What a Competent Inspection Covers A thorough fire door inspection should check: Certification: Third party certification label/plug present Door matches the certified design specification Any modifications have been done within the scope of certification Physical Condition: No damage, warping, or delamination Glazing intact and correctly specified Gaps not exceeding 3mm (except at threshold — max 8mm) Intumescent strips and cold smoke seals present and undamaged Hardware: Self closer functions correctly (fully closes and latches from any angle) Hinges secure and of correct specification (3 hinges minimum for FD30) Latch or lock operating correctly Letter plates (if fitted) are fire rated No unauthorised hardware additions Common Deficiencies We Find Deficiency Frequency Severity Self closer not functioning 45% Critical Gaps exceeding 3mm 38% High Missing/damaged intumescent strips 35% High No certification evidence 30% High Damage to door leaf 25% Medium High Wedged or held open (without approved holder) 20% Critical Incorrect hinges 15% Medium The Cost of Non Compliance Enforcement is increasing. Fire and rescue authorities can issue: Enforcement notices requiring remediation within a set timeframe Prohibition notices preventing use of parts of the building Prosecution for serious failures — unlimited fines and up to 2 years imprisonment The Building Safety Regulator can also take action against Accountable Persons for buildings in scope of the Building Safety Act. Developing a Fire Door Management Strategy We recommend a structured approach: 1. Audit — Comprehensive survey of all fire doors, recording condition and certification 2. Prioritise — Risk based prioritisation of remediation works 3. Remediate — Replace or repair doors based on priority 4. Programme — Establish ongoing inspection and maintenance programme 5. Record — Maintain detailed records as part of the golden thread 6. Budget — Plan for cyclical replacement (typical life: 15 20 years) For fire door surveys and management programmes, contact Magnus Opifex.