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BS 8214:2026: what changed
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.
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 covers how they should be specified, installed, inspected and maintained.
What changed
| 2016 edition | 2026 edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Door types | Timber only | Timber, steel, aluminium and composite |
| Smoke seals | Earlier guidance | Updated |
| Gap under the door | Earlier guidance | Updated |
| Status | Replaced | Current since 20 March 2026 |
What it means for you
- Check the date on your last report. If it refers to the 2016 edition, ask whether its findings still stand.
- Metal and composite doors are now covered. Steel, aluminium and composite fire doors can be inspected against the same code of practice.
- The door’s own test evidence still comes first. The manufacturer’s evidence for each door overrides general rules of thumb.
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