What the law asks of you, what good looks like, and where to start. Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
A fire door holds back fire and smoke for a set time so people can get out and firefighters can get in. It only works when it's closed, undamaged and fitted as it was tested.
The Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order: whoever controls the building. In a block of flats that's usually the freeholder or a residents' or right-to-manage company, often acting through a managing agent.
In England, residential buildings over 11 metres need communal fire doors checked every three months and flat front doors at least once a year, on a best-endeavours basis. Smaller and non-residential buildings follow their fire risk assessment.
Routine checks can be done in-house with simple instruction, according to Home Office guidance. A full inspection needs a competent, qualified inspector who checks each door against its test evidence and BS 8214:2026.
BS 8214:2026 was published on 20 March 2026 and replaces the 2016 edition. It now covers timber, steel, aluminium and composite fire doors, and updates guidance on smoke seals and the gap under doors.
A flat's front door is usually a fire door. In England, buildings over 11 metres must have them checked at least once a year. Residents shouldn't alter them without permission, and the lease decides who pays for repairs.
Only with a suitable device that releases the door automatically when the fire alarm sounds. Wedges, door stops and fire extinguishers are never acceptable.
Every time a pipe, cable or duct passes through a fire-resisting wall or floor, the hole needs sealing with a tested product. This is fire stopping. Without it, fire and smoke can bypass the fire doors entirely.
Answer a few questions about your building and get a traffic-light result with a clear action plan.
Build a 12-month schedule of fire door checks for your building, with reminders you can add to your calendar.
