Common Fire Door Failures Found During Inspections - And How to Avoid Them

Fire doors are one of the most important fire safety features in any building. They can be crucial in protecting escape routes, compartmentalising fire and smoke and giving all occupants the time they need to evacuate in the event of an emergency.

Unlike standard doors, they are life-saving equipment that are governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 under Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Fire doors can degrade over time and suffer wear and tear all be tampered with, so regular inspection and maintenance are both legal and practical necessities.

In this article, the team at Fire Door Specialists look at the role that fire doors play and identify some of the common fire door failures that are found during inspections, as well as the best ways to avoid them.

Common fire door failures

One of the most common failures relating to fire doors that are identified during inspections is that the gaps around the door leaf are too wide. Any gap which is larger than 3-4mm between the door and the frame can compromise on the performance of the fire door, letting smoke and flames pass through it. This is often due to poor installation, warping due to humidity, or movement of the building itself.

In some cases, the intumescent seals are either missing or damaged. These are an important part of a fire door as they will expand in heat to help block the spread of smoke or fire. Damage can be caused by painting over the seals, or they might degrade with age, but in some cases, they are missing entirely. Many building owners are unaware that if they have painted over a seal, it will no longer be functional, and this is commonly flagged up during inspections.

It is essential that a fire door can itself close fully and securely but often broken arms, weak spring tension or incorrect adjustments can mean that this does not happen. In some cases, the door closers might be missing entirely. Without a fully functioning closer, a fire door will act like a normal door, which means that it will stay open and be useless in the case of an emergency.

Inspections sometimes uncover non-fire rated or modified components on fire doors. These can include uncertified hinges, untested vision panels, or retrofitted letterboxes. It is important that building owners remember that even drilling a small hole for a cable can void the certification of a fire door. This usually occurs when repairs or maintenance are carried out by non-specialists.

As it is a legal requirement for fire doors to remain closed at all times, it is vital that they are not propped open with bins, chairs or wedges as they will no longer be able to function. This commonly occurs in places like schools, offices and care homes, where convenience often outweighs safety on a day-to-day basis. If this occurs, then whoever is deemed to be the responsible person in the building will be at risk of prosecution.

Another common fault with fire doors is that they have not been maintained well enough or have not been subject to the right level of inspection. This allows small defects like loose hinges, damaged seals or stiff closers to accumulate. It is important to remember that many failures in relation to fire doors are fully preventable with regular checks in place.

Legal consequences of fire door failures

If there is a fire door failure, then the Fire and Rescue Services can issue enforcement or prohibition notices. There is also the risk of a significant financial impact as large fines can be issued for non-compliance. In the most serious cases, custodial sentences may be inflicted on the responsible person(s).

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons for high rise buildings are now required to check fire doors in communal areas every quarter and the entrance doors to flats at least annually.

Of course, the biggest risk from a fire door failure is a loss of life, and it is important to remember that fire door failures can result in preventable fatalities.

How to avoid fire door failures

One of the best ways to avoid fire door failures is to schedule regular inspections. These should take place at least every six months, and quarterly in high-risk settings. These inspections need to include things like gap measurements, closer testing and seal condition checks amongst other things.

It is also essential to train staff and responsible persons so that they know how to spot defects like missing seals, damaged closers and wedged doors. This vital awareness training should be part of a fire safety induction and can help to reduce many issues.

It is also essential that you use certified fire door inspectors and installers, so be on the lookout for BM TRADA Q-Mark, FIRAS or equivalent certifications. It might seem cheaper and easier to perform your own repairs on a fire door, but a DIY fix can invalidate your certification.

You also need to maintain clear documentation for any fire doors that you have in your building. You need to keep a fire door logbook with inspection dates and a list of the faults that have been found and any action taken. This will provide a defence during audits or investigations.

To be sure that all of your fire door components are certified and up to standard, you need to choose compliant products that come from trusted suppliers. All of your components need to be third-party tested, and you should avoid retrofitting any uncertified products like letter plates, glazing or kick plates.

Fire doors are not just another feature of a building; they are part of critical life-saving equipment. The importance of a fire door should not be underestimated, and it is important to remember that even minor failures can have potentially catastrophic outcomes. It is therefore essential that you carry out regular inspections, train staff and work with certified professionals in order to ensure compliance, protect lives and avoid any costly legal repercussions.