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    Fire Safety

    Fire Door Inspections — gap measurement, ironmongery assessment & condition grading

    Detailed fire door inspections with calibrated gap measurement, ironmongery assessment, intumescent seal condition checks, and condition grading for every door. We deliver photographic reports with a prioritised remedial action plan and annual re-inspection recommendations — everything you need to demonstrate compliance under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

    SSAIB Certified
    Fast Response Times
    15+ Years Experience
    500+ Commercial Clients

    Who is this for?

    For building managers, school business managers, landlords, and facilities teams who are responsible for maintaining fire door compliance and need a thorough, documented inspection with clear remedial recommendations.

    • Schools and multi-academy trusts needing Ofsted-ready fire door documentation
    • Commercial offices, business parks, and multi-storey buildings
    • Residential blocks and HMOs under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
    • Warehouses, distribution centres, and industrial units
    • Care homes, nursing homes, and NHS healthcare facilities
    • Hotels, leisure centres, and public buildings

    Why fire doors fail inspections

    • Intumescent strips are damaged, painted over, or missing entirely — the door will not seal against fire
    • Cold smoke seals are worn flat, brittle, or absent — smoke will travel through the gap before the intumescent activates
    • Door closers are broken, disconnected, or adjusted incorrectly — the door does not self-close and latch from every angle
    • Perimeter gaps exceed the 3mm (+/-1mm) tolerance due to hinge wear, frame settlement, or incorrect original fitting
    • Doors have been modified on-site — cut down, drilled for cables, or fitted with non-fire-rated locks and letterboxes — invalidating the original certification

    What our fire door inspection covers

    Calibrated Gap Measurement

    All four perimeter gaps measured with calibrated feeler gauges and recorded against the 3mm (+/-1mm) compliance tolerance. Threshold gap measured separately.

    Ironmongery Assessment

    Every item of ironmongery assessed: hinges checked for wear and fire rating, closer tested for self-closing from multiple angles, locks and latches checked for engagement and certification.

    Intumescent & Smoke Seal Inspection

    Intumescent strips and cold smoke seals inspected for damage, paint coverage, correct profile, and continuity around the full perimeter of the door and frame.

    Condition Grading

    Each door is graded on a clear scale: Compliant, Minor Defects (remediate within 3 months), Major Defects (remediate urgently), or Replace. This prioritises your budget and programme.

    Photographic Evidence

    Every door photographed with close-up images of defects. Reports are formatted for fire risk assessors, building insurers, Ofsted inspectors, and local authority enforcement officers.

    Annual Re-Inspection Recommendations

    We provide a recommended re-inspection schedule based on the condition of your doors and the traffic levels in your building — typically 6-monthly for high-traffic areas and annually as a minimum.

    Scope of works

    Our qualified engineers carry out the following as standard:

    Inspection of all fire doors against BS 476-22 and BS EN 1634-1 compliance criteria
    Door leaf condition assessment: checking for warping, delamination, splits, and unauthorised modifications
    Calibrated measurement of all perimeter gaps against 3mm (+/-1mm) tolerance
    Inspection of intumescent strips for damage, paint coverage, incorrect profile, or absence
    Inspection of cold smoke seals for wear, compression, brittleness, or missing sections
    Functional testing of door closers for self-closing speed, latching, and operation from all opening angles
    Assessment of hinges for wear, fire rating, number (minimum 3), and screw fixings
    Inspection of locks, latches, and handles for correct engagement and fire certification
    Checking fire door signage for presence and compliance with BS 5499-10
    Inspection of glazing and glazing beads for fire rating and condition where applicable
    Photographic recording of all defects with door identification numbering
    Production of a prioritised inspection report with condition grading and remedial recommendations

    Need a fire door inspection? Request a free quote today.

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    Optional services

    Same-Visit Remedial Works

    Our engineers carry stock of Lorient seals, Dorma closers, hinges, and signage — many defects can be repaired during the inspection visit itself.

    Annual Maintenance Contract

    Scheduled re-inspections at 6 or 12-month intervals with priority booking and consistent pricing year on year.

    Fire Door Replacement Programme

    Where doors are beyond repair, we supply and install certified FD30 or FD60 doorset assemblies as part of a planned replacement programme.

    Emergency Call-Out

    Priority attendance for urgent fire door issues — damaged doors repaired or temporarily secured within 24-48 hours.

    Managed Compliance Package

    Include fire door inspections in a monthly compliance package alongside fire alarm servicing, emergency lighting testing, and risk assessments.

    Staff Awareness Training

    Brief training sessions for facilities staff, caretakers, and building managers on identifying common fire door defects between formal inspections.

    Typical project timeframes

    Small site (up to 50 doors)1 day
    Medium site (50–150 doors)2–3 days
    Large site (150+ doors)3–5 days
    Same-visit remedial works (typical)1–2 days additional

    Key benefits

    Thorough inspection against BS 476-22 and BS EN 1634-1 compliance criteria
    Calibrated gap measurement — not visual estimates
    Clear condition grading system that prioritises your spending
    Photographic evidence formatted for auditors, insurers, and enforcement officers
    Most common repairs completed on-site during the inspection visit
    Engineers experienced with schools, commercial buildings, care homes, and residential blocks
    Prioritised reports that separate urgent safety issues from routine maintenance items
    Documentation meets Ofsted, local authority, and insurance documentation requirements
    Can be included in a monthly managed compliance package

    Ongoing support & maintenance

    Scheduled Re-Inspections

    We schedule follow-up inspections at 6 or 12-month intervals based on door condition and building traffic levels.

    Compliance Tracking

    We track inspection dates and certification expiry, flagging upcoming deadlines so nothing is missed.

    Emergency Repairs

    Priority call-out for urgent fire door damage — doors repaired or temporarily secured within 24-48 hours.

    Planned Replacement Programme

    Where doors are graded as Replace, we plan and schedule certified doorset installations within your budget.

    How it works

    01

    Book Inspection

    Contact us to arrange a convenient date. We work around school terms, office hours, and building operations.

    02

    On-Site Inspection

    Our engineers inspect every fire door systematically — measuring gaps, testing closers, assessing ironmongery, and photographing defects.

    03

    Report Delivered

    You receive a clear, photographic report with condition grades for every door and a prioritised remedial action plan.

    04

    Remedial Works

    We carry out repairs on-site where possible — seals, closers, hinges, signage. Doors graded as Replace are quoted separately.

    05

    Compliance Confirmed

    Updated completion reports and certificates issued confirming the post-remedial compliance status of each door.

    Case study
    Case Study

    64 fire doors inspected and 18 defects remediated in 2 days

    Primary School — Bedfordshire

    Scale64 fire doors across 3 buildings
    Duration2 days
    Outcome64 fire doors inspected with calibrated gap measurements
    Challenge: The school had not carried out a formal fire door inspection in over 3 years and needed to demonstrate compliance ahead of an Ofsted safeguarding review. Several doors had visible damage to seals and closers, but no documented condition records existed.
    Solution: We inspected all 64 fire doors across 3 buildings, measuring gaps, testing closers, and photographing every defect. 18 doors were identified with failed intumescent strips, worn smoke seals, or incorrect signage. All remedial works were completed on-site within the same 2-day visit.
    64 fire doors inspected with calibrated gap measurements
    18 defects identified and repaired on-site
    Full photographic report with condition grading issued
    Compliance confirmed ahead of Ofsted safeguarding review

    Project gallery

    Fire door inspection Queen Elizabeth School

    Fire door inspection, QE School, Luton

    Measuring fire door gaps QE School

    Measuring fire door gaps, QE School

    Professional equipment we use

    Industry-leading products from trusted manufacturers

    Gap Measurement Tools

    Precision gap gauges for measuring fire door clearances to specification

    Digital Reporting System

    Tablet-based inspection software with photographic evidence capture

    Intumescent Seal Testers

    Tools for checking seal condition and fitment quality

    Closer Force Gauges

    Measurement devices for testing door closer operating force

    Fire Door Labels Database

    Access to manufacturer certification databases for door leaf verification

    Photographic Equipment

    High-resolution cameras for detailed defect documentation

    Frequently asked questions

    How often should fire doors be inspected?
    There is no single legal frequency, but industry guidance recommends inspecting all fire doors at least annually, with high-traffic doors (main corridors, stairwells, reception areas) checked every 6 months. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure fire safety measures are maintained — and documented inspections are the primary way to demonstrate this.
    What are the most common fire door defects you find?
    The five most common defects we encounter are: damaged or missing intumescent strips, worn or absent cold smoke seals, door closers that do not latch the door into the frame, perimeter gaps exceeding the 3mm (+/-1mm) tolerance, and missing fire door keep shut signage. In schools and high-traffic commercial buildings, closer failure and hinge wear are particularly prevalent.
    Can you carry out repairs during the inspection visit?
    In most cases, yes. Our engineers carry stock of Lorient intumescent seals, cold smoke seals, Dorma door closers, CE-marked hinges, and signage. Common defects are repaired on-site during the inspection visit, avoiding the need for a separate remedial appointment.
    How do you measure fire door gaps?
    We use calibrated feeler gauges to measure all four perimeter gaps — top, hinge side, latch side, and threshold. The compliance tolerance is 3mm (+/-1mm) on the top and sides (i.e. 2-4mm), with the threshold gap assessed against the specific doorset certification. Every measurement is recorded in the inspection report.
    What documentation do we receive after the inspection?
    You receive a door-by-door condition report with photographs, calibrated gap measurements, condition grades (Compliant, Minor Defects, Major Defects, or Replace), a summary dashboard, and a prioritised remedial action plan. If on-site repairs are completed, you also receive a remedial works completion certificate.
    What does condition grading mean?
    We grade each door on a four-point scale. Compliant means the door meets all inspection criteria. Minor Defects means issues that should be addressed within 3 months (e.g. worn seals, missing signage). Major Defects means issues that compromise fire resistance and should be addressed urgently (e.g. excessive gaps, failed closers). Replace means the door leaf is beyond economical repair and a new doorset is required.
    Is a fire door inspection a legal requirement?
    The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to maintain fire safety measures in proper working order. While it does not specify an exact inspection frequency, regular documented inspections are the accepted way to demonstrate compliance. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 additionally require that flat entrance doors in residential buildings are checked annually.
    Can fire door inspections be included in a managed compliance package?
    Yes. We include fire door inspections in our monthly compliance packages alongside fire alarm servicing, emergency lighting testing, and fire risk assessment reviews. This gives you a single provider managing all your fire safety compliance with centralised documentation and proactive scheduling.
    No Obligation

    Request a Free Site Survey

    One of our qualified engineers will visit your site, assess your requirements, and provide a detailed quotation - completely free.

    Book a free site survey

    Pick the service you need - we tailor the questions, then come back to you within 24 hours.

    No spam. We'll only use these details to respond to your enquiry.

    24-hour response
    SSAIB certified
    500+ commercial clients

    What happens after you contact us

    1

    We review your enquiry

    A member of our team reviews your requirements and gets back to you within 24 hours.

    2

    We arrange a site survey

    We schedule a convenient time to visit your site and assess your needs in person.

    3

    We prepare a quotation

    You receive a clear, detailed quote with no hidden costs or obligations.

    4

    We schedule the work

    Once approved, we agree a start date that works around your operations.

    5

    We provide documentation & support

    On completion, you receive all certificates, reports, and ongoing support details.

    Commercial Clients

    Trusted by schools, care homes, warehouses, and construction sites

    We work with commercial and public sector clients across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and London.

    Schools & Academies

    Primary schools, secondary schools, multi-academy trusts, and nurseries

    Construction Sites

    Active building sites, developments, and temporary site compounds

    Warehouses & Industrial

    Warehouses, distribution centres, factories, and industrial units

    Care Homes & Healthcare

    Care homes, nursing facilities, clinics, and GP surgeries

    Car Garages & Workshops

    MOT centres, car dealerships, vehicle workshops, and body shops

    Commercial Offices

    Offices, business parks, co-working spaces, and corporate HQs

    Public Sector

    Local authority buildings, NHS facilities, and community centres

    Retail & Hospitality

    Shops, restaurants, pubs, hotels, and leisure venues

    Areas we cover

    LutonBedfordSt AlbansWatfordHitchinStevenageHertfordshireBedfordshireNorth London

    Book a fire door inspection

    Get a free quote for a thorough fire door inspection with calibrated gap measurements, photographic condition reports, and on-site remedial works.

    Request a free quote

    Free no-obligation quote · Professional engineers · Response within 24 hours

    No spam. We'll only use these details to respond to your enquiry.

    24-hour response
    SSAIB certified
    500+ commercial clients