A fire door only protects you if it’s in good working order. A label on top of the door says it left the factory as a fire door, but a broken closer, a missing seal or a gap that’s grown over the years can stop it holding back fire and smoke when it matters.

The good news is that a basic check takes a couple of minutes and needs no tools. This guide walks through the five-step check promoted by Fire Door Safety Week, explains what the law in England says about checking fire doors in blocks of flats, and covers the common mistakes that quietly undo a fire door’s rating.

Why checking fire doors matters

A fire door is designed to resist fire for a set time, 30 minutes in the case of an FD30 door, when it’s closed. That rating applies to the whole doorset: the leaf, the frame, the intumescent seals, the hinges, the closer and any glazing, fitted as the manufacturer tested them. Change or damage one part and the door may no longer perform as intended.

That’s why fire safety bodies keep repeating the same message. A fire door that’s wedged open, damaged or can’t close properly gives very little protection. If you want the background on where fire doors are needed in the first place, our guide to FD30 door requirements covers it.

The 5-step fire door check

Fire Door Safety Week, the national campaign run with the BWF Fire Door Alliance, publishes a simple five-step check that anyone can carry out. Here’s how to do each step and what to look for.

1. Look for a certification label

Look for a label or plug on top of the door, or occasionally on the side. Fire Door Safety Week suggests using a mirror or the selfie camera on your phone to see the top edge without a ladder.

Why it matters: without a certification mark, you can’t be sure the door really is a fire door. A painted-over label is still worth finding, so look carefully.

2. Check the gaps

With the door closed, check the gaps around the top and sides. Fire Door Safety Week says these should be consistently less than 4mm. A £1 coin is about 3mm thick, which gives you a handy feel for scale.

The gap under the door can be slightly larger, up to 8mm, but it depends on the door. As a rule of thumb, you ideally shouldn’t see light under the door.

Why it matters: if the gaps are too big, smoke and fire can travel through them. Doors drop, frames move and hinges wear, so gaps can grow over time even on a door that was fitted perfectly.

3. Check the seals

Look for intumescent seals around the door or the frame. These are strips, usually set into a groove in the frame or door edge, that swell when heated to close the gap around the door. Some doors also have brush or fin smoke seals. Check they’re all there, intact and undamaged.

Why it matters: the seals are what stop fire, and in some cases smoke, moving through the gaps. A seal that’s been ripped out, painted over or cut through when fitting new hardware may not do its job.

4. Check the hinges

Open the door and look at the hinges. There should be three or more, firmly fixed, with no missing or broken screws.

Why it matters: in the heat of a fire, a door hanging on loose or missing screws may not stay in place. Loose hinges are also a sign the door hasn’t been maintained.

5. Check it closes properly

Open the door about halfway, let go and watch what happens. It should close by itself, firmly onto the latch, without sticking on the floor or the frame.

GOV.UK guidance for blocks of flats suggests a slightly fuller version of this test: open the door fully and let it go, then open it to around 15 degrees and let it go. In both cases, the door should close fully into the frame, overcoming the latch and any friction with the floor.

Why it matters: a fire door only works when it’s closed. If it can’t close on its own, it may be standing open when a fire starts.

If you find a problem

If you live, work or visit somewhere with a faulty fire door, Fire Door Safety Week’s advice is simple: report it to whoever manages or owns the building. In your own home, get the fault put right by someone competent, using parts that are compatible with the door’s certification.

What the law says about checking fire doors in England

Since 23 January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have set out specific fire door duties for the “responsible person” in buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises, such as blocks of flats.

All blocks with common parts: the responsible person must tell residents that fire doors should be kept shut when not in use, that residents and guests shouldn’t tamper with self-closing devices, and that faults or damage should be reported immediately.
Buildings above 11 metres (to the top storey, typically more than four storeys): fire doors in communal areas must be checked at least every three months, and the responsible person must use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months.
Records: for flat entrance doors, a record must be kept of the steps taken, including attempts to gain access where a resident didn’t allow it.
Self-closers: both sets of checks must include making sure self-closing devices work.

The government’s guidance says these routine checks aren’t meant to be a detailed technical inspection and don’t need a specialist. They’re about confirming that doors close properly and that doors, frames, glazing and seals aren’t obviously damaged. Questions about whether a door is the right type for its location belong in the building’s fire risk assessment.

These regulations apply in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check with your local fire and rescue service if you’re elsewhere.

What about houses?

There’s no equivalent legal inspection schedule for an ordinary family home. But if your house has fire doors, for example onto the stairs in a three-storey house or between an integral garage and the house, they’re there to protect your escape route. Running through the five checks once or twice a year is a sensible habit.

Common mistakes that undo a fire door

Most fire door failures aren’t dramatic. They come from small changes made with good intentions.

Wedging the door open or hooking it back to a wall.
Removing or disconnecting the closer because the door is “too heavy”.
Painting over intumescent seals. Follow the door and seal manufacturers’ guidance on painting, and keep paint off seals unless the seal maker says otherwise.
Fitting hardware that hasn’t been tested with the door. Hinges, locks, latches and closers should be suitable for fire doors. Our guide to FD30 door requirements explains what to look for on hinges.
Cutting the door for a letter plate, cat flap or spyhole, or trimming it beyond the limits the manufacturer allows.
Replacing glass with ordinary glazing rather than the fire-rated type specified.
Hanging a fire door in a standard frame. The frame and seals are part of the tested doorset. Use a lining suitable for fire doors, such as our FD30 fire-rated door lining.

If a door has been altered and you’re unsure whether it still meets its rating, ask a competent fire door inspector to look at it.

Special cases: concealed and pocket fire doors

Fire doors don’t have to look like standard panel doors. Flush-to-wall and sliding fire doors exist, but they’re certified as complete systems, so the five checks still apply alongside the manufacturer’s own maintenance instructions.

Concealed FD30 doors use hidden hinges and often a concealed closer. Check the closer still pulls the door shut onto the latch. Our guides to FD30 concealed doors and concealed door closers cover these in more detail.
FD30 pocket doors are a specialist system with their own seals and boarding. See FD30 pocket doors explained for how they work.

Frequently asked questions

How often should fire doors be checked?

In England, in blocks of flats above 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least every three months and flat entrance doors at least every 12 months, on a best endeavours basis. In other buildings, your fire risk assessment will set the schedule. At home, a quick check once or twice a year is a good habit.

What size gap is acceptable on a fire door?

Fire Door Safety Week says the gaps around the top and sides should be consistently less than 4mm with the door closed. The gap underneath can be up to 8mm, depending on the door. Always check the door manufacturer’s figures too.

Can I check a fire door myself?

Yes. The five-step check is designed for anyone to do. GOV.UK guidance also says routine checks in blocks of flats don’t need a specialist. For a detailed inspection, or after alterations, use a competent fire door inspector.

What should I do if the fire door in my block of flats doesn’t close?

Report it to the building’s managing agent, landlord or other responsible person. Don’t remove or adjust the closer yourself unless it’s your own flat entrance door and you’ve been told it’s your responsibility.

Can I paint a fire door?

Usually, yes, but follow the door manufacturer’s guidance on suitable paints and keep paint off the intumescent and smoke seals unless the seal maker says it’s acceptable. Don’t paint over the certification label.

Need a replacement fire door?

If your check shows a door that’s beyond repair, replacing it with a properly certified door and frame is the safest route. Browse our fire doors, or contact our team if you’d like help choosing the right FD30 door for your home.