Fire door inspection checklist
A fire door check covers the leaf and frame, the gaps around the door, intumescent and smoke seals, hinges, the self-closer, any glazing, and signage and labels. Each part must match the door's test evidence.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
The checklist
| Part | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Door leaf and frame | No damage, no alterations (letterboxes, cat flaps, holes), firmly fixed |
| Gaps | Usually 2–4mm at the top and sides, per the door’s test evidence |
| Intumescent strip | Continuous, undamaged, not painted over |
| Smoke seal | Present where required, not torn or missing |
| Hinges | At least three, fire-rated, every screw in place |
| Self-closer | Closes the door fully and latches it from any open position |
| Glazing | Fire-rated glass and beads, no cracks |
| Signage and label | Correct sign present; certification label or plug not painted over |
A five-point routine check
For routine in-house checks between inspections, focus on five things:
- Gaps. Do any look too big, or uneven?
- Seals. Are they all there and undamaged?
- Hinges. Are they secure with no missing screws?
- Closer. Open the door fully and let go. Does it close and latch?
- Damage. Any holes, splits or alterations?
Log every check with the date, door location, result and who did it.
What makes doors fail
Fire Door Inspection Scheme data found the most common causes of failure were gaps that were too large, general maintenance problems and smoke seal problems. Almost a third of doors were never fit for purpose because of poor installation.
A checklist helps spot problems. Deciding whether a door actually meets its test evidence takes a qualified inspector.