Fire Door Compliance: Legal Requirements and Step-by-Step Guide to Staying Compliant.

With fire door compliance, many businesses struggle to understand regulations, leading to confusion and costly mistakes. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure compliance, avoid uncertified repairs, and meet all legal requirements around fire doors.

1. Stock Condition Survey

A stock condition survey is the first step for sites without clear records of internal and external building materials or fire controls. This survey ensures:

• Proper compartmentation is in place for fire safety.

• Compliance with Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations 2010 for newer buildings.

• Older buildings have information stored in Fire Safety Manuals or OM documents.

2. Compartmentation Survey

If issues or unanswered questions arise from the stock condition survey, a compartmentation survey is the next step. Conducted by a Competent Person, this survey:

• Examines fire compartments to ensure structural integrity.

• Identifies areas needing repairs or upgrades.

• Provides a detailed design specification for necessary works.

  
  

3. Fire Door Inspection

Fire door inspections fall under Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order as part of your maintenance system. Fire doors are critical for passive fire protection, especially in high-risk or high-traffic areas.

Key Requirements for Fire Door Inspections:

• Frequency:

  • General inspections every 6 months as per BS8214, BS9999, BS9991.

  • Additional checks every 3 months in high-risk environments.

• Details to Include:

  1. Current issues related to fire door certification or installation standards.

  2. Clear remediation plans showing: Integrity before works are completed. Anticipated integrity after completion.

Important: Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) checks are NOT a substitute for inspections by a Competent Person (Article 18, amended Building Safety Act 2022).

4. Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)

Once surveys and inspections are complete, the Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) pulls everything together. Conducted by a Fire Risk Assessor or Responsible Person, the FRA will:

• Evaluate current fire safety controls.

• Recommend further safety measures.

• Update evacuation procedures where needed.

Why Fire Door Compliance Matters

Ensuring fire doors are compliant is not just about legal requirements; it’s about protecting lives and property. By following these steps:

• You eliminate confusion.

• You meet legal standards.

• You prevent costly mistakes caused by uncertified repairs.

Don’t let fire safety compliance overwhelm you. By starting with stock condition surveys, conducting detailed inspections, and completing a thorough FRA, you can ensure your fire doors meet all legal requirements.

Need expert help with fire door inspections or fire safety surveys? Contact OPTI today to get started.