Fire door self-check
Walk every fire door and check it closes fully into the frame under its own closer, the seals or intumescent strips are intact, gaps around the edges are no more than about 4mm (8mm at the threshold), and nothing is wedging it open.
Walk every fire door and check it closes fully into the frame under its own closer, the seals or intumescent strips are intact, gaps around the edges are no more than about 4mm (8mm at the threshold), and nothing is wedging it open.
A fire door that does not close is a fire door that is not doing its job. A monthly walk catches damage, wear and the "just for today" wedge habit long before your next formal inspection finds it.
Who this is for
Every venue with fire doors.
What you’ll hold
- Fire door monthly check log
Watch out for
- Checking the door closes but not checking it latches fully into the frame — a door that swings shut without latching is not fire-resisting.
- Ignoring doors propped open "just during deliveries" — a fire door held open with anything other than an approved device is not doing its job when it matters.
- Not checking gaps around the frame — warped doors and worn hinges open up gaps that let smoke through long before the door looks obviously damaged.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: fire door guidance checked 2026-09-02
See also
- Fire doors, escape signage and action notices— this becomes part of getting open →
- Formal fire door inspection
- Get a recorded fire risk assessment— this becomes part of getting open →
This is item 36 of 60 in the free UK Compliance Calendar. See the whole list →