Fire Door Surveys

Fire doors are critical components in a building's passive fire protection. They protect escape routes, maintain compartmentation, and provide the time necessary for safe evacuation and effective firefighting. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced specific duties for responsible persons in residential buildings to carry out checks on fire doors in communal areas — and to provide information to residents about flat entrance doors.

• Door leaf condition, integrity, and certification evidence
• Frame condition and fire resistance
• Intumescent strips and cold smoke seals — presence, condition, correct specification
• Ironmongery — self-closing devices, hinges, latches, locks
• Glazing — fire-rated, correctly beaded, undamaged
• Gap tolerances — leaf to frame, threshold gaps
• Signage — fire door keep shut / fire door keep locked shut

An individual condition assessment for each fire door surveyed, compiled into a portfolio-level report with summary statistics, prioritised remediation schedule, and estimated replacement/repair recommendations. Structured to support procurement and planned maintenance programmes.

How often should fire doors be inspected?

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require the responsible person in residential buildings to carry out checks on fire doors in communal areas at least every three months, and to check flat entrance doors at least every twelve months. BS 8214:2016 recommends routine inspection as part of a planned maintenance programme. Apex can establish a scheduled inspection regime tailored to your building or portfolio.

What does a fire door survey check?

A fire door survey assesses the complete door set: the door leaf condition and certification evidence, frame integrity, intumescent strips and cold smoke seals, self-closing devices, hinges, latches, glazing (where fitted), gap tolerances between leaf and frame, threshold clearance, and correct signage. Apex surveys record each door individually with photographic evidence and a prioritised remediation schedule.

Are fire door surveys a legal requirement?

While a standalone fire door survey is not explicitly mandated by statute, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to maintain fire safety provisions in good working order, which includes fire doors. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced specific quarterly and annual fire door checking duties for residential buildings. A professional survey by an experienced assessor such as Apex ensures these duties are met to the required standard.

What is the difference between a fire door check and a survey?

A fire door check is a brief visual inspection, often carried out quarterly under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, to confirm the door is closing correctly and has no obvious damage. A fire door survey is a more detailed, technically rigorous assessment of every component of the door set against BS 8214 criteria, resulting in a written report with condition ratings and remediation recommendations. Apex provides both levels of service.

How much does a fire door survey cost?

The cost of a fire door survey depends on the number of doors, the building type, accessibility, and the level of detail required. Apex provides transparent, fixed-fee quotations based on a preliminary scope discussion. For large portfolios, we offer volume-based pricing and can phase surveys across financial years. Contact us for a no-obligation quote tailored to your specific requirements.