Internal fire doors are one of the most critical and often overlooked elements of fire safety in commercial buildings. When properly installed and maintained, they play a vital role in protecting lives, limiting property damage and supporting legal compliance.
This guide explains what fire doors do, why they matter and what building owners and managers need to know to stay compliant.
What Is a Fire Door?
A fire door is a specially designed door assembly that helps prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. Fire doors are tested and rated to resist fire for a specified period, commonly 30 or 60 minutes, allowing occupants time to escape safely and emergency services to respond.
A compliant fire door is not just the door leaf itself. It includes:
• Door frame
• Hinges and seals
• Self-closing mechanism
• Ironmongery and glazing (where applicable)
If any part fails, the door may not perform as intended in a fire.
How Fire Doors Protect Lives
Fire doors are designed to compartmentalise a building. By slowing the spread of fire and smoke, they:
• Protect escape routes such as corridors and stairwells
• Reduce smoke inhalation risks
• Give occupants vital time to evacuate safely
In many fires, smoke causes more harm than flames. Properly functioning fire doors are essential in controlling smoke movement throughout a building.
How Fire Doors Protect Property
In addition to safeguarding people, fire doors help:
• Contain fire to a limited area
• Reduce structural damage
• Minimise business interruption
• Protect neighbouring units in multi-occupancy buildings
By slowing fire spread, fire doors can significantly reduce repair costs and downtime following an incident.
Where Are Fire Doors Required?
Fire doors are commonly required in:
• Commercial offices
• Apartment blocks and communal areas
• Retail premises
• Healthcare and education buildings
• Hotels and leisure facilities
• Industrial and warehouse premises
They are typically installed in:
• Escape routes
• Plant rooms and riser cupboards
• High-risk areas
• Compartment walls
Legal Responsibilities for Fire Doors
Under UK fire safety legislation, duty holders must ensure fire doors are fit for purpose, maintained and regularly inspected.
Responsibility usually falls on:
• Building owners
• Landlords
• Managing agents
• Facilities managers
Fire door inspections help demonstrate compliance and ensure doors will perform correctly in the event of a fire.
Common Fire Door Issues Found During Inspections
Fire doors can fail for many reasons, including:
• Missing or damaged intumescent seals
• Faulty or disabled self-closers
• Incorrect gaps around the door
• Non-compliant ironmongery
• Doors wedged open
Even small defects can compromise performance and lead to non-compliance.
Why Regular Fire Door Inspections Matter
Regular inspections help to:
• Identify faults early
• Maintain legal compliance
• Reduce fire risk
• Provide documented evidence of fire safety management
Inspections are especially important in high-traffic or multi-occupancy buildings, where wear and tear is more likely.
Internal Fire Doors Inspections with Clifton Energy
Clifton Energy provides professional fire door inspections for commercial and residential buildings. Inspections are carried out in line with current regulations, with clear reporting and practical recommendations to support compliance and safety.
Protect Lives. Protect Property. Stay Compliant.
Fire doors are a vital line of defence in any building’s fire safety strategy, but only if they are properly installed, maintained and inspected.
Contact Clifton Energy today to arrange a fire door inspection or to discuss your wider compliance requirements, including Commercial EPCs and TM44 air conditioning inspections.