Fire Door Surveys

Fire door surveys are a necessary step for saving lives and protecting property. Fire doors form an integral part of effective compartmentation and therefore require regular maintenance.

Fire door surveys identify any areas of non-compliance in both new and existing fire doors, allowing building owners and operators to take remedial action. The experts at Adaston are third-party accredited to conduct extensive surveys covering all elements of a fire door and its surrounding frame.

In short, you need a fire door survey to protect life, preserve property and remain legally compliant with building codes. For example, BS9999 recommends a fire door inspection every six months to ensure your passive fire protection system remains effective.

Following the introduction of new legislation in 2006, it is now the responsibility of building owners and operators to ensure their building has adequate fire protection. This includes the installation and maintenance of fire doors. As fire doors receive constant use, they’re more prone to wear and tear than other types of fire protection, such as fire extinguishers.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) found that 75% of fire doors inspected in 2021 failed to meet standards_[1]. Along with the increased threat to life and property, failure to comply with legislation could cause insurance policies to be voided in the event of a fire.

A fire door survey with Adaston covers every element of a fire door:

• The door leaf
• The frame, including any gaps
• Any glass and/or glazing Intumescent fire and smoke seals
• Any ironmongery, such as self-closing devices, hinges, latches, locks etc
• Relevant signage

We’ll tailor our surveys and inspections to your specific needs to ensure you remain safe and compliant. We’ll make a note of the door ID and location along with the door rating. All data is captured live and with full client access throughout, helping you to keep on top of planned preventative maintenance and keeping an accurate audit trail of inspections and remedial works.

According to Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order 2005, it’s a legal requirement to have correctly installed and maintained fire doors. They must be fit for purpose, otherwise, the authorities can prosecute or close down buildings that don’t comply. If you don’t comply with the Fire Safety Order 2005, it could well result in criminal prosecution. Regular inspections by a competent person are required to ensure these vital pieces of fire protection remain in good working order to protect lives and property.

The general advice is to inspect fire doors once every six months, but there are exceptions to this rule.

Newbuilds and newly occupied buildings are still settling, so more frequent surveys are recommended. Likewise, any doors in areas of high use should be checked every week or so to ensure they’re in good working order.

While a quick visual inspection is adequate once a week, a thorough survey conducted by a “competent person” once every 6 months is essential for ensuring doors are adequately maintained and compliant.