How often do fire doors need to be inspected?
In blocks of flats in England over 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least every 3 months and flat entrance doors at least every 12 months. Commercial buildings have no fixed legal interval: the fire risk assessment sets one, and every 6 months is a common recommendation, more often for busy doors.
What is due, and how often.
Checked November 2026.
| Check | How often | Who does it | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communal fire doors, blocks of flats over 11 m (England) | At least every 3 months, including self-closers | Responsible person or a fire door inspector | Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, reg. 10 |
| Flat entrance fire doors, blocks over 11 m (England) | At least every 12 months, on a best-endeavours basis | Responsible person or a fire door inspector | Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, reg. 10 |
| Fire door information to residents, blocks of flats (England) | When a resident moves in, and every 12 months | Responsible person | Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, reg. 10 |
| Fire doors in commercial buildings | No fixed legal interval; often every 6 months, more often for busy doors | Responsible person or a fire door inspector | Fire Safety Order 2005, art. 17; BS 9999 (recommendation) |
| Hold-open and automatic release devices | With the weekly fire alarm test | Site team | BS 9999 (recommendation) |
This is a guide, not legal advice. What your building needs depends on its use, size, risk and equipment, and standards are revised. Check with your competent people and the current official sources.
What to keep on file.
- Each check, door by door, with what was found and fixed.
- For flat entrance doors: what you did to get access where residents refused or did not reply.
- Proof that you told residents how to use fire doors, and when.
What catches people out.
- What a check covers: the door closes fully from any angle, gaps are about 2 to 4 mm, intumescent seals and hinges are intact, the closer works and no one has wedged the door open.
- A fire door is only as good as its frame, seals and closer. Replacing parts with non-certified ones can void the door's rating.
- Scotland and Wales have their own fire safety rules; the 3- and 12-month checks above apply in England.
- Buildings over 18 m have further duties under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Dueclear tracks every due date for every building.
Each inspection gets its interval, its rule and an owner. Dueclear reminds the owner from 60 days ahead, and your contractor uploads the new certificate from a link, no account needed.
FAQ
Are fire door inspections a legal requirement?
In blocks of flats in England over 11 m, yes: every 3 months for communal doors and every 12 months for flat entrance doors. In commercial buildings the Fire Safety Order requires fire doors to be maintained; the interval is set by the fire risk assessment.
How often should fire doors be checked in an office?
There is no fixed legal interval. Every 6 months is a common recommendation, and more often for doors that get heavy use.
Who can inspect fire doors?
Anyone competent to do it. For detailed inspections many duty holders use a certified fire door inspector.
Sources: Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, regulation 10 · Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17
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