Fire door inspections in London and the South East
We inspect every fire door against its test evidence and BS 8214:2026, photograph it, QR-tag it and give you a clear pass or fail with a prioritised list of what to fix. Based in London, working across the South East.
What we check
A fire door is a tested system, not just a heavy door. It only keeps its rating if every part matches its test evidence.
| Part | What we look for |
|---|---|
| Door leaf and frame | Undamaged, unaltered, the correct rating and firmly fixed |
| Gaps | Usually 2–4mm at the top and sides, checked against the door's test evidence |
| Intumescent strip | Continuous, undamaged and the correct type |
| Smoke seal | Present where the door needs to control smoke |
| Hinges | At least three, fire-rated, with every screw in place |
| Self-closer | Closes and latches the door from any open position |
| Glazing | Fire-rated glass and beads |
| Signage and label | Sign present; certification label or plug not painted over |
We also note unauthorised alterations such as letterboxes or cat flaps, doors that are wedged open, and any fire stopping gaps we see around the frame or in nearby risers.
A QR record on every door
Each door we inspect gets a QR tag. Scan it to see the door's rating, photos, results and every visit since.
That means you can answer a fire service, insurer or leaseholder in seconds, and the next inspection starts from a full history rather than a blank sheet.
See a sample report →Door 3F-02 · Third floor lobby
FD30S · Doorset · Self-closing
- Leaf and framePass
- Gaps (top and sides)Fail
- Intumescent and smoke sealsFail
- Hinges (3, fire-rated)Pass
- Self-closerPass
- SignagePass
How often fire doors need inspecting
For residential buildings in England over 11 metres, Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 sets a minimum schedule. For everything else, your fire risk assessment decides.
| Building | Communal fire doors | Flat entrance doors |
|---|---|---|
| Residential, England, over 11m | Every 3 months (legal minimum) | Every 12 months, "best endeavours" (legal minimum) |
| Residential, under 11m | As set by the fire risk assessment. All multi-occupied residential buildings must give residents fire door information. | |
| Commercial, education, healthcare, hotels | As set by the fire risk assessment. Six-monthly professional inspection is common practice. | |
Regulation 10 has applied since 23 January 2023. It applies in England only. Correct as of October 2026.
What you receive
Photo report
Every door, every defect, photographed and described in plain English.
QR door records
A tag on each door linking to its live record and history.
Clear pass or fail
Against the door's test evidence and BS 8214:2026, not a vague score.
Prioritised repair quote
What to fix now and what can wait, repairs first, replacement only where needed.
Pricing: it depends on door count, access and condition, so we quote after a short call about your building.
Questions we get asked
How often should fire doors be inspected?
In England, residential buildings over 11 metres must have communal fire doors checked every three months and flat entrance doors checked at least once a year on a “best endeavours” basis, under Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (in force since 23 January 2023).
For other buildings, the frequency should be set by your fire risk assessment. Many buildings use a professional inspection every six months with routine visual checks in between. Busy or high-traffic doors may need checking more often.
Last reviewed October 2026
Who is responsible for fire doors in a block of flats?
The Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, usually the freeholder, a residents’ management company or right-to-manage company, often acting through a managing agent. They must keep fire doors maintained and in good repair.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that this duty covers flat entrance doors opening onto common parts, as well as communal doors. Who owns and pays for an individual flat door depends on the lease.
Last reviewed October 2026
Who can inspect fire doors?
The law does not require a specialist for routine Regulation 10 checks: Home Office guidance says Responsible Persons should be able to carry them out with simple instruction. A full inspection is different. It needs someone competent to judge gaps, seals, hardware and alterations against the door’s test evidence and BS 8214:2026.
Recognised qualifications include FireQual qualifications, the ABBE Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection and Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) certification. Burnham’s inspections are carried out by FireQual-qualified inspectors.
Last reviewed October 2026
How much does a fire door inspection cost?
It depends on how many doors there are, how easy they are to reach (flat entrance doors need resident access) and what condition they are in. We quote after a short call about your building, so the price reflects the actual job.
Most of the real cost in fire door compliance sits in the repairs an inspection finds, not the inspection itself. That’s why every Burnham survey comes with a prioritised repair quote.
Last reviewed October 2026
What gap should there be around a fire door?
Usually between 2mm and 4mm at the top and sides, but the door’s own test evidence always takes priority over general rules of thumb. Gaps that are too large are the most common reason fire doors fail inspection.
The gap under the door depends on the door’s test evidence and whether it needs to control smoke. BS 8214:2026 updated its under-door gap guidance, so older reports may be out of date.
Last reviewed October 2026
Do fire doors need self-closers?
Most fire doors need a self-closing device that closes the door fully and engages the latch from any open position. A fire door that is left open protects nothing.
Some doors, such as service cupboards kept locked shut, may be treated differently. Your fire risk assessment and the door’s specification decide this.
Last reviewed October 2026
Book a survey or check where you stand.
Call or email and we'll talk through your doors, arrange a survey and send you a quote. Or take the free Compliance Check first.
Check your compliance