Guide
BS 8214:2026: what changed for fire doors
BS 8214:2026, published on 20 March 2026, replaces the timber-only 2016 edition. It now covers timber, steel, aluminium and composite fire doors and updates the guidance on smoke seals and under-door gaps.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
What BS 8214 is
BS 8214 is the British Standard code of practice for fire and smoke control doors. It sets out how fire doors should be specified, installed, inspected and maintained.
What changed in 2026
| BS 8214:2016 | BS 8214:2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Door types covered | Timber only | Timber, steel, aluminium and composite |
| Smoke seals | Earlier guidance | Updated guidance |
| Under-door gaps | Earlier guidance | Updated guidance |
| Status | Replaced | Current, published 20 March 2026 |
What it means for you
- Older reports may be out of date. Many inspection reports and websites still refer to the 2016 edition. If yours does, it’s worth asking whether its findings still stand.
- Non-timber doors are now covered. If your building has steel, aluminium or composite fire doors, they can now be inspected against the same code of practice.
- The door’s own test evidence still comes first. BS 8214 gives general guidance; the manufacturer’s test evidence for each door overrides general rules of thumb.
Burnham inspects to BS 8214:2026.