Fire Door Inspections
Independent fire door inspections that tell you, clearly, which of your doors meet the standard and exactly what needs putting right. For landlords, managing agents and responsible persons across Cheshire.
A fire door is a complete assembly, not just a door
It is easy to think of a fire door as a thicker door with a label, a closer and some hinges. In reality it is a complete, tested assembly. The leaf, frame, seals, glazing, hardware, threshold and the way it is installed all have to work together. If one part is wrong, the whole door can fail to perform when it matters.
What a fire door is designed to do
A fire door is there to resist the spread of fire and smoke when it is closed. It helps maintain compartmentation, protects escape routes, and keeps corridors, lobbies and stairways usable for longer. Fire doors are a key part of a building’s passive fire protection: they buy time and protect people.
Who needs fire door inspections?
Responsible persons, landlords, freeholders and managing agents all have duties around fire doors. In multi-occupied residential buildings, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require regular checks of communal fire doors and, in buildings over 11 metres, annual checks of flat entrance doors. Commercial premises also rely on fire doors to meet their fire safety duties.
Five things we check on every fire door
A quick look at the essentials. Our inspections follow the recognised five-step fire door check (British Woodworking Federation, 2024), recording the condition and compliance of each element with photographic evidence.
1. Certification
A label, plug or marking confirming the door is a tested, certified fire door.
2. Apertures
Any glazing or air-transfer grilles were factory-fitted and do not void certification.
3. Gaps & seals
Even gaps around the frame (around 3 to 4 mm) with intumescent and smoke seals intact.
4. Closers
The self-closer shuts the door firmly onto the latch from any open position.
5. Operation
The door closes fully into the frame on all sides, without binding or sticking.
The anatomy of a fire door
A fire door only performs as a complete system. These are the parts we examine during an inspection, and where problems most often arise:
The door leaf
The moving part. Its construction, core, thickness, lippings and any cut-outs must match a tested assembly. A leaf on its own is never a fire door.
The frame
Holds the leaf and carries the hardware. If it is the wrong size, poorly fixed or badly sealed to the wall, the door can fail even with a sound leaf.
The seals
Intumescent seals expand in heat to close gaps; smoke seals limit cold smoke. Missing, damaged or painted-over seals are one of the most common failings.
The glazing
Vision panels must be part of the tested assembly: glass type, apertures, beads and fixings all matter. Cutting new openings on site can void the evidence.
The hardware
Hinges, closers, locks, latches and letter plates all affect performance. “It looks the same” is not enough; components must be compatible.
The threshold & gaps
The under-door gap and threshold detail affect smoke control and fit. Excessive gaps, new floor finishes or over-trimming cause problems.
The supporting evidence
Test reports, assessments and certification should cover the complete assembly. If the paperwork does not justify the door for its use, confidence should be low.
The installation
Even a good door fails if badly fitted: wrong fixings, poor sealing, over-trimming or damaged edges. Installation must follow the evidence, not site convenience.
Ongoing maintenance
Doors drift out of compliance over time as hinges loosen, closers fail and seals wear. A neglected fire door is a failing fire door.
What our fire door inspection covers
We inspect each door as a complete assembly. A typical inspection looks at the leaf and frame for damage, distortion, fit and unauthorised trimming; the seals for presence, continuity and damage; the hardware, including hinges, latches and closers; the gaps around the door; the glazing and signage; and whether the door closes fully and latches on its own.
What you receive
You receive a clear, plain-English report with photographs, the condition of each door, the issues found and a prioritised list of what needs putting right. Where remedial work is needed, we explain what is required and can recommend competent contractors. As a consultancy we inspect, advise and report; we do not fit or maintain doors ourselves, which keeps our advice independent.
Fire door inspection FAQs
Is a fire door just a thick timber door?
How often should fire doors be inspected?
Can I replace hinges or seals with similar-looking products?
Why does installation matter so much?
Do you carry out the remedial work?
Do you need to see the door’s paperwork?
Looking for a wider review? See our fire risk assessments or browse all our services. For a quick self-check, see our fire safety checklists.
Need a fire door inspection?
Tell us about your building and we will provide a clear, no-obligation quote.
References
- British Woodworking Federation (2024) Five-step fire door check. Fire Door Safety Week. Available at: firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/547). Available at: legislation.gov.uk (Accessed: 17 June 2026).