Fire door inspection checklist

A simple, printable checklist for routine visual checks of fire doors in residential buildings — communal doors to stairs, lobbies, corridors and plant rooms, and flat entrance doors.

It follows the points GOV.UK asks responsible persons to look at under regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Use one sheet per door, or one sheet per round with a row per door.

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Read the guide: fire door checks under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, regulation 10

  • Applies to residential buildings in England whose top storey is above 11 metres.
  • Communal fire doors: check at least every 3 months.
  • Flat entrance doors: use best endeavours to check at least every 12 months, and keep a record of the steps taken.
  • The checks are visual and basic — GOV.UK says you should not need a specialist, and caretakers, managing agents, housing officers and maintenance staff can do them with instruction.

General guidance from the official sources below, not legal advice.

Fire door inspection checklist

Building:
Door location / reference:
Door type (communal / flat entrance):
Date:
Checked by:

Door and frame

CheckPassFailNotes
The door has not been replaced with a non-fire-resisting oneModern fire doors usually show a fire-resistance rating label or plug; older doors may not, and no label or certificate does not by itself make a door unfit.
No damage or defects to the door, frame or surrounding wall that could let fire or smoke through (holes, splits, warping)
Fire-resisting glazing is intact, with no cracks and the glazing beads secure
Letterbox (flat entrance doors) closes firmly and is not jammed open

Closing and gaps

CheckPassFailNotes
Opened fully and released, the door closes fully into its frame on its own
Opened to about 15° and released, the door still closes fully into its frame
Gaps around the top and sides are no more than 4mmThe gap at the bottom should be as small as practicable.
Nothing stops the door closing — not wedged, propped or obstructedGood practice, not a regulation 10 item.

Seals and hardware

CheckPassFailNotes
Intumescent strips and smoke seals, if fitted, are undamaged, touch the door edge or frame, and have not been painted overGOV.UK: their absence does not by itself mean the door is unfit — follow your fire risk assessment.
Hinges are secure — no missing or loose screws
Other ironmongery (closer, latch, lock) is free of defects
"Fire door — keep shut" sign is in place on communal doorsGood practice, not a regulation 10 item.

If a check fails

  1. Record the fault, the door and the date on the sheet.
  2. Arrange for a competent contractor to repair it as soon as reasonably practicable.
  3. Re-check the door once the repair is done and record it.
Signed:
Date reviewed:

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Frequently asked questions

How often do fire doors need to be checked?

Under regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, in residential buildings with a top storey above 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least every 3 months and flat entrance doors on a best-endeavours basis at least every 12 months.

Who can carry out fire door checks?

GOV.UK guidance says the regulation 10 checks are simple visual checks that should not need a specialist. Caretakers, managing agents, housing officers and maintenance staff can carry them out once they have been shown what to look for. Repairs should be done by a competent contractor.

What is the maximum gap around a fire door?

GOV.UK guidance says the gap around the door should never be more than 4mm, except at the bottom of the door, where it should be as small as practicable.

Do I need to keep records of fire door checks?

GOV.UK guidance says to keep a record of the steps taken to check flat entrance doors. Keeping a dated record of every check, including communal doors and any repairs, makes it much easier to show the checks were done.

Sources