Fire Door Inspections Sussex | Independent Fire Door Checks

Why fire doors matter

A good fire door holds back fire and smoke long enough for people to escape and for firefighters to do their job. But it only works if it is the right door, correctly fitted, properly maintained and actually closes. Damaged seals, missing closers, large gaps and doors wedged open are some of the most common problems fire inspectors find.

What the law requires

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must keep fire safety measures, including fire doors, in good working order. The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that this covers the entrance doors to individual flats in blocks of flats.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 added specific duties for residential buildings. In any building with two or more flats, residents must be told how important fire doors are. In buildings over 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked every three months and flat entrance doors, on a best-endeavours basis, every year.

HMO managers also have a duty to keep fire safety measures, including fire doors, in good repair.

What we check

Certification label or plug, where present
Condition of the door leaf and frame
Gaps around the door edges and at the threshold
Intumescent strips and smoke seals
Self-closing device: does the door close fully and latch from any angle?
Hinges: number, condition and fixings
Locks, handles, letter plates and other hardware
Vision panels and fire-rated glazing
Damage, holes and unauthorised alterations
Signage such as 'Fire door keep shut'

What you get

A clear, door-by-door report with photographs, a simple result for each door, and plain-English actions in order of priority. It gives you a record of your checks, which is exactly what an inspecting officer will ask to see.

Independent advice

We don't sell, fit or repair fire doors, so our recommendations are never tied to selling you replacement doors or remedial work. If a door can be put right with a simple adjustment or a new seal, we'll say so.

Buildings we inspect

Blocks of flats HMOs Offices Shops and retail Holiday lets

Where we work

Brighton Hove Eastbourne Lewes Hastings Crawley Horsham Chichester Haywards Heath Burgess Hill East Grinstead Hassocks Bognor Regis Arundel

Common questions

How often should fire doors be inspected?

It depends on the building and how the doors are used. In blocks of flats over 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require communal fire doors to be checked every three months and flat entrance doors, on a best-endeavours basis, every year. For other buildings, your fire risk assessment should set a suitable frequency. Busy doors that take a lot of wear need checking more often.

Do you repair or replace fire doors?

No. We're independent, so we don't fit, repair or sell doors. That means our recommendations are never tied to selling you work, and you're free to use any contractor you choose.

Do flat entrance doors need to be inspected?

Yes. The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that flat entrance doors in blocks of flats fall under the Fire Safety Order. In buildings over 11 metres, responsible persons must use their best endeavours to check them every year.

How much does a fire door inspection cost?

It depends mainly on the number of doors. Tell us roughly how many doors and what type of building, and we'll give you a fixed quote. If you need a fire risk assessment too, we can do both on the same visit.

Can a fire door inspection be done at the same time as a fire risk assessment?

Yes, and it often makes sense. One visit, less disruption for residents or staff, and joined-up advice.

Fire door inspections in Sussex