As a result of recent tragedies, Fire Doors are increasingly under the spotlight. The Fire Safety Order places an obligation on those that have control of a building to maintain Fire Doors must be kept in effective working order.

The changes to the law add additional requirements for inspecting doors, and you will find that remedial works will be required from time to time.

In order to comply with BS9999:2017 (Fire safety in the design management and use of buildings – Code of practice) all fire doors should be inspected every six months.

In particular, it should be ensured that:

• Heat-activated seals and smoke seals are undamaged;
• Door leaves are not structurally damaged or excessively bowed or deformed;
• Gaps between the door leaf and the frame are not so small as to be likely to bind, or so large as to prevent effective fire and smoke-sealing;
• Hanging devices, securing devices, self-closing devices and automatic release mechanisms are operating correctly.