We’ve spoken time and time again about the important role that fire doors play in overall building safety. However, a fire door can only do its job and contain fire and smoke for a set period of time if it is kept in a good state of repair. A regular fire door inspection (on an annual basis at a minimum) plays a vital role in this process of compliance by checking that your fire doors are fit for purpose.

However, actually having a fire door inspection carried out is only part of the picture. Following the inspection, you will be provided with a fire door survey report that details the outcome and outlines areas of concern which need to be acted upon. While this report should be more detailed than giving you a simple indication of ‘pass’ or ‘fail’, you must address any non-compliant findings without delay.

We understand that it can be concerning to find out that your fire doors have failed their inspection and could be compromising building safety. Worry not, we have put together this short guide on what to do next should you find yourself in this position. 

What Does A Fire Door Inspection Involve?

The quality of fire door inspections can vary dramatically, with some inspectors producing a compliance report only. This type of inspection may tell you that your door has ‘failed’, but will typically not outline why or detail the specific remedial actions required. This level of detail is rarely sufficient for true compliance and can leave both you and a qualified fire door professional unsure where to start when it comes to remedial work.

The best type of fire door inspection will provide you with a fully comprehensive fire door survey report, identifying not only the outcome of the inspection but also what is required for your doors to meet suitable safety standards. For example, at WGP Maintenance, we produce comprehensive and fully detailed fire door survey reports based on an extensive checklist of 72 inspection points for each door.

A fully comprehensive fire door inspection includes reviewing elements such as door signage, hinges, locks, latches, vision panels, intumescent seals, gaps, and the condition of the frame and door leaf itself. Factors such as the building layout, compartmentation drawings, and Fire Risk Assessment are also taken into account to gain a complete picture of fire safety measures and detail the most appropriate approach to remedial work.

Reasons Your Fire Doors May Fail An Inspection

A fire door can fail an inspection on any one of the areas checked by the inspector during their survey. While some issues may pose higher risks to safety than others, all will ultimately compromise the effectiveness of the door in an emergency and remedial work should always be conducted as soon as possible.

In our experience, some of the most common reasons why fire doors fail inspections are:

• Damaged or missing intumescent or smoke seals
• Structural damage or wear and tear beyond acceptable limits
• Broken or incorrectly fitted hinges
• Excessive gaps between the door and frame
• Incorrect or missing fire door signage
• Non-compliant glazing or vision panels
• Faulty or missing self-closing devices

What To Do Next

If your fire door survey report identifies areas of failure, the first thing you need to do is read the information provided to understand whether issues are widespread or specific to individual doorsets. This will help you to prioritise the level of remedial work required. 

Should the survey report you have received fail to provide information that helps you to understand why your doors have failed, do not panic. Unfortunately, inadequate fire door survey reports are increasingly common, and, at WGP Maintenance, we are frequently contacted by businesses that have had a fire door survey conducted elsewhere but need help interpreting the results or completing the necessary remedial work. In these cases, we can resurvey your doors to gain a full and accurate picture of the issues and subsequently guide you through the compliance and remediation process effectively. 

Once you have a clear understanding of the non-compliance issues, you must make plans for remedial works to be completed. You should always enlist the help of a qualified professional to conduct this work, preferably with relevant certifications and accreditations such as the BM Trada Q-Mark for fire door installation and maintenance. Attempting to fix issues without the correct expertise can risk further non-compliance and damage. 

We also recommend implementing an ongoing fire door maintenance plan and scheduling regular fire door surveys for the future. This proactive approach will ensure that your doors remain in a good state of repair and any future issues are caught and addressed promptly.

How WGP Maintenance Can Help

At WGP Maintenance, we specialise in carrying out all of the work needed to give you peace of mind that your fire doors are compliant. From carrying out fully comprehensive fire door surveys to carrying out remedial work, installation, and maintenance under the BM Trada Q-Mark scheme, we can work closely with you to meet the highest standards of fire safety.

Whether you have been told that you have failed a fire door inspection or require an up-to-date survey to check that your doors still meet relevant standards, we can help. Simply get in touch with us now to discuss your concerns and requirements.