UK GOVERNMENT FIRE DOOR REGULATIONS

​Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which came into force on 23 January 2023, makes it a legal requirement for the responsible person in all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to carry out regular fire door checks. These requirements sit within the wider fire safety framework established by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Building Safety Act 2022, all of which aim to strengthen fire safety management and accountability in residential buildings.

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Under Regulation 10, the responsible person must ensure that all fire doors in the common parts of a building, including self-closing devices, are checked at least every three months. In addition, on a best-endeavour basis, an annual inspection should be carried out of all flat entrance doors that open onto the building’s common areas. These checks are intended to confirm that fire doors continue to perform as designed, preventing the spread of smoke and fire and maintaining safe escape routes for occupants.

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The minimum expectation is for the responsible person to undertake visual inspections to identify any obvious signs of damage, alteration, or wear that could compromise performance. It should not normally be necessary to engage a specialist for these basic checks, as a competent responsible person can carry them out following suitable instruction or training.

 

During each inspection, the responsible person should consider:

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1. If there has been any alterations or damage to a door’s glazing apertures or air transfer grille

2. If there are any gaps around the door frame and that seals and hinges are fitted correctly

3. That the door closer shuts the door

4. That the door closes correctly around the whole frame

5. That there is no visible damage (either deliberate or from wear and tear) to the door or door closer​

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If any issues are identified, more detailed checks may be required, and in such cases it may be appropriate to engage a qualified fire door inspector or competent contractor.

 

All findings and follow-up actions should be recorded carefully, and remedial work undertaken as soon as possible. Keeping accurate, up-to-date records of fire door inspections, maintenance, and repairs is an essential part of compliance, supporting the “Golden Thread” principle introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022. This approach ensures that safety information about fire doors is traceable, accessible, and available throughout the life of the building.

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To help manage these responsibilities more efficiently, digital tools such as the CCS R10 App provide a simple and cost-effective way to record and monitor compliance. The app and online dashboard can be used by the responsible person to log inspections, track repairs, and demonstrate compliance with Regulation 10.

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Regulation 10 reinforces the legal duty to maintain fire doors in good working condition and to check them regularly. By carrying out inspections, acting on any issues, and maintaining thorough records, the responsible person can ensure that their building remains compliant with current fire safety law, protect residents and visitors, and maintain confidence in the building’s fire protection measures.

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Full guidance and statutory duties for Responsible Persons under Regulation 10 can be accessed on the official GOV.UK website.