Why fire door compliance matters

Fire doors are part of a building’s passive fire protection. Their job is to help resist the spread of fire and smoke so escape routes stay usable and compartmentation is not lost too early. Government guidance is clear that fire doors must remain in good working order and good repair, and breaches of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations can become criminal where people are placed at risk of death or serious injury in a fire.

The rules businesses, landlords and managing agents need to know

For most duty holders, compliance starts with maintenance. Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order requires fire safety measures to be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. The Fire Safety Act 2021 also clarified that flat entrance doors must be considered in fire risk assessments for multi-occupied residential buildings.

In multi-occupied residential buildings in England, fire door duties became more specific under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. In buildings over 11 metres, responsible persons must carry out quarterly checks of communal fire doors and use best endeavours to carry out annual checks of flat entrance doors. In all multi-occupied residential buildings with common parts, residents must also be given information about the importance of fire doors and reminded not to tamper with self-closing devices.

For new work, replacement work and some refurbishment projects, compliance is not just about maintenance. Building Regulations guidance in Approved Document B still matters, and the government updated that guidance again in 2025 with further 2026 and 2029 amendments already published for future commencement.

What good compliance looks like in practice

In practice, compliant fire door management usually comes down to five things. First, the correct doors need to be specified for the location and use. Second, they need to be installed properly as a complete doorset, not treated as a basic joinery item. Third, they must be kept in working order through planned inspections and maintenance. Fourth, any issues raised in the fire risk assessment or routine checks need to be acted on quickly. Fifth, records need to be clear enough to show what was checked, what failed and what was repaired or replaced.

Where people get caught out

A lot of non-compliance comes from simple mistakes. Doors get wedged open, self-closers stop working, seals are painted over, glazing or ironmongery is altered and excessive gaps are ignored because the door still “looks fine” at first glance. Government guidance makes clear that these kinds of defects can materially undermine performance.

Another common mistake is assuming that compliance is proven by a label alone. The government’s guidance is very clear that routine checks are about making sure the door remains suitable in service, and those checks do not replace the wider role of fire risk assessment or specialist review where needed.

2026 takeaway

If you are responsible for a block, managed property or commercial premises, the safest approach in 2026 is simple: make fire doors part of your maintenance strategy, not a one-off purchase. Compliance is ongoing. The door, frame, seals, glazing, hinges, ironmongery and self-closing action all matter, and the paperwork matters too.