Fire Door Regulations in the UK

Fire Door Regulations in the UK

Fire doors are an essential part of a building’s passive fire protection system. In this article, SAB Group’s FDIS-certified fire door inspection experts outline the key legislation and guidance surrounding fire doors in the UK, clarifying the requirements for building owners, landlords, and responsible persons.

Everything you need to know about fire door regulations to keep your place of work safe and compliant with UK law.

Why Fire Doors Matter

Fire doors are designed to protect people by slowing down the spread of fire and smoke throughout different areas of a building during a fire. They provide time for people to evacuate the building and for emergency services to respond.

The effectiveness of fire doors depends on proper fire door installation, correct maintenance, and regular inspections to identify any defects and issues that may arise. This is why, as the responsible person, you must understand the legislation.

Key Fire Door Legislation UK

We will now focus on the essential legislation surrounding fire doors and compliance in buildings. Understanding the key regulations ensures that fire doors are correctly installed, maintained, and inspected, thereby protecting lives and property in the event of a fire. Let’s examine the key aspects of fire door legislation that every property owner, manager, and safety professional should be familiar with.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO)

The RRFSO is a cornerstone of fire safety legislation in England and Wales. It requires a ‘Responsible Person’ (e.g., employer, building owner, or occupier) to implement fire safety measures, including ensuring that fire doors are correctly installed and maintained, as well as being part of the building’s fire risk assessment. This pivotal piece of fire legislation consolidated and modernised many previous fire safety regulations, establishing a comprehensive framework for fire safety in most non-residential properties and shared spaces within residential buildings. The RRO places a significant emphasis on the concept of the ‘Responsible Person,’ who bears the legal duty to ensure fire safety within the premises. The ‘Responsible Person’ is usually the owner, landlord, employer, or management representative and has several key responsibilities to minimise fire hazards, including conducting fire risk assessments, implementing and maintaining general fire precautions, and ensuring the maintenance of fire safety measures.

A key duty under the RRO is to carry out a suitable and adequate fire risk assessment. This assessment requires identifying potential fire risks and evaluating individuals who may be at risk in the event of a fire. Following the conclusions of the Fire Risk Assessment, the Responsible Person is obliged to establish and uphold general fire safety measures. These precautions include several measures, such as those related to fire prevention (e.g., regular checks of electrical systems and appliances), fire detection (e.g., installation of smoke alarms), as well as alarm systems, firefighting equipment, emergency routes and exits, and providing employees with appropriate training. Furthermore, the RRO mandates duties concerning the maintenance of fire safety measures, ensuring that all fire safety equipment and systems remain in good working order and efficient condition.
While the specific term “fire doors” is not explicitly defined within the main body of the RRO, their critical role in fire safety is strongly implied through the general duties imposed on the Responsible Person. Fire doors are a fundamental component in preventing the spread of fire throughout a building, a key objective of the general fire precautions mandated by Article 8 of the RRO. Moreover, fire doors are essential for providing safe emergency routes and exits, thereby maintaining their fire resistance and preventing the ingress of smoke and fire into these critical escape pathways, as required by Article 14. 

The overarching requirement for maintaining fire safety measures, as outlined in Article 17 of the RRO, extends to fire doors, ensuring their continued effectiveness in containing fires and facilitating safe evacuation. The RRO establishes a framework based on principles that assigns responsibility for fire safety to a designated individual or individuals. It emphasises that maintaining and properly functioning fire doors is critical to meet this key goal. Moreover, technical information about fire doors is usually provided in related guidance documents.

The Significance of the Fire Safety Act 2021

This legislation specifies that the RRFSO encompasses a building’s overall structure and exterior walls, including flat entrance doors leading to common areas in multi-occupied residential buildings. As a result, fire doors between individual flats and shared spaces must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure their proper functioning. This legislative update directly addresses a potential ambiguity within the original RRO by explicitly stating that the Order applies to the external walls of buildings, including all components such as cladding, balconies and windows, as well as the individual flat entrance doors that open into standard parts.   

The implications of the Fire Safety Act 2021 for fire doors are significant. By explicitly bringing flat entrance doors within the scope of the RRO, the Act ensures that these doors must now be considered as part of the mandatory fire risk assessment and are subject to the general fire safety duties outlined in the Order. The new clarification highlights the critical role that flat entrance doors play in preventing the spread of fire and smoke within residential buildings, particularly in the event of a fire originating within a dwelling. The Act represents a move towards more specific regulation in response to identified vulnerabilities in fire safety, ensuring that a critical element of passive fire protection is clearly within the purview of the primary fire safety legislation.

The Building Regulations 2010 – Approved Document B (Fire Safety)

A Key Resource: The Building Regulations 2010, particularly Approved Document B (Fire Safety), provide crucial technical guidance on how to comply with the fire safety requirements mandated by the Building Regulations in England. It is essential to note that building regulations are a devolved matter; therefore, Approved Document B primarily applies to England. The document is split into two volumes: Volume 1, which addresses dwellings, and Volume 2, which covers buildings other than dwellings.

The Building Regulations 2010, particularly Approved Document B (Fire Safety), provide crucial technical guidance on compliance with the fire safety requirements mandated by the Building Regulations in England.  Building regulations are a devolved matter; therefore, Approved Document B primarily applies to England.

Approved Document B serves as the practical guide for achieving compliance with the legal duties set out in the primary legislation. It translates the broad requirements into specific technical standards that must be adhered to in the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of fire doors. The regular updates and amendments to Approved Document B reflect the evolving understanding of fire safety principles and the need for continuous improvement in building regulations.   

Volume 1 (Dwellings) offers specific guidance on fire doors in residential buildings. It outlines the particular locations where fire doors are required, such as in flats, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), loft conversions creating an additional storey, and between a dwelling and an integral garage, as well as in houses exceeding two levels where a door leads to a habitable room from the stairwell. The document specifies the required fire resistance ratings for these doors, commonly FD30 (30 minutes) or FD60 (60 minutes). Although in some historical contexts, FD20 (20 minutes) may be referenced, it is generally recommended that FD30 be the minimum standard. Approved Document B also provides guidance on the necessity of self-closing devices for fire doorsets, as well as specifications for door frames, ironmongery (including hinges and latches), and vision panels, ensuring they are fire-rated and correctly installed. Requirements for smoke seals to prevent the passage of smoke are also detailed, along with the need for appropriate fire safety signage, such as “Fire door keep shut”. Furthermore, guidance on minimum door widths to ensure adequate means of escape is provided.   

Volume 2 (Buildings other than Dwellings) offers corresponding guidance for commercial and other non-residential buildings. This volume specifies where fire doors are required in these types of buildings, including along escape routes, within compartment walls to prevent fire spread between different areas, and in high-risk locations such as plant rooms. It details the necessary fire resistance ratings, which can range from FD30 to FD240 depending on the specific application and the fire risk assessment. Particular requirements for fire doors located on escape routes are also outlined, including the direction of opening and the types of fastenings permitted. Similar to Volume 1, guidance is provided on vision panels, signage, and the use of appropriate fire-rated hardware, as well as the importance of smoke seals and intumescent strips.

Building Safety Act 2022

Introduced to enhance accountability and safety in high-rise residential buildings, this Act reinforces the duty of building owners and managers to ensure that systems, including fire doors, are properly maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

These regulations require all workplace doors, including fire doors, to be kept in a state of efficient operation, good repair, and proper working order. Employers must legally comply with these regulations.

Regional Legislation Fire Door Legislation

• Scotland: Governed by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
• Northern Ireland: Covered under the Order of 2006 regarding Fire and Rescue Services in Northern Ireland and the Fire Safety Regulations of 2010 in Northern Ireland.

British Standards and Best Practice

To comply with the above legislation, adherence to British Standards is recommended:

• BS 8214:2016: Best practice for the specification, installation, and maintenance of fire doors.
• BS 9999:2017: Code of practice for fire safety in building design, management, and use.
• BS 476: Standards for fire tests on building materials and structures.

Government Fire Door Guidance

The UK Government’s official Fire Door Guidance provides detailed instructions on how to meet legal requirements for conducting inspections and educating the buildings’ residents. The document notes the importance of maintaining detailed records and the necessity of effective communication regarding fire safety.

The Fire Safety Act 2021: Clarifying the Scope

The Fire Safety Act 2021 serves as a crucial amendment to the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO), primarily aimed at clarifying its application, particularly about multi-occupied residential buildings. This legislative update directly addresses a potential ambiguity within the original RRO by explicitly stating that the Order applies to the external walls of buildings, including all components such as cladding, balconies and windows, as well as the individual flat entrance doors that open into standard parts.

The implications of the Fire Safety Act 2021 for fire doors are significant. By explicitly bringing flat entrance doors within the scope of the RRO, the Act ensures that these doors must now be considered as part of the mandatory fire risk assessment and are subject to the general fire safety duties outlined in the original Order. This clarification calls to attention the crucial role that flat entrance doors have in preventing the spread of fire and smoke within residential buildings, particularly in the event of a fire originating within a dwelling. The Act represents a move towards more specific regulation in response to identified vulnerabilities in fire safety, ensuring that a critical element of passive fire protection is clearly within the purview of the primary fire safety legislation.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Specific Duties for Residential Buildings

Further bolstering the fire safety framework, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduce a set of specific duties under the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) for building owners or managers, designated as Responsible Persons, of multi-occupied residential buildings in England. These regulations were enacted in response to the findings and recommendations of the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, underscoring the commitment to addressing the systemic issues identified by the inquiry.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 establish the necessary requirements regarding fire doors in residential buildings with a top storey that is more than 11 metres above ground level. Among these requirements is the obligation for Responsible Persons to conduct quarterly inspections of all fire doors, including self-closing mechanisms, in the building’s communal areas. Additionally, an annual inspection of all flat entrance doors, including their self-closing devices, must be performed on a “best endeavour” basis. Responsible Persons are also required to inform residents about the crucial role of fire doors. This information applies to all multi-occupied residential buildings that have two or more domestic premises and is regardless of their height. The aim is to ensure that residents know their responsibilities pertaining to fire safety. These regulations are a significant development in the proactive management of fire doors in higher-risk residential environments, moving beyond the general responsibilities outlined in the

Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) to enforce specific inspection protocols and promote resident involvement. The inclusion of the “best endeavour” clause regarding access and inspection of flat entrance doors recognises the practical difficulties involved while still highlighting the significance of these checks in maintaining fire safety measures.

The Building Safety Act 2022: Implications for Higher-Risk Buildings

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces a far-reaching overhaul of building safety regulations, with a particular focus on “higher-risk buildings” (HRBs). 

‘For the in-occupation part of the regime, higher-risk buildings are defined as buildings with at least two residential units which are at least 18 metres in height or have at least 7 storeys.”

Source: Criteria for determining whether a building is a higher-risk building during the occupation phase of the new higher-risk regime

The Act establishes a new regulatory framework with the introduction of key roles such as the “Accountable Person” and the “Principal Accountable Person,” who bear specific responsibilities for managing building safety risks, which inherently include fire safety.

A central feature of the Building Safety Act 2022 is the creation of a new Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which is tasked with overseeing building safety and standards, promoting competence within the industry, and leading the implementation of the new regulatory framework for Home-Rated Building (HRB) schemes. The Act also mandates the creation of a “golden thread” of information for HRBs, a digital record encompassing all aspects of the building’s safety throughout its lifecycle. This comprehensive information repository is likely to include detailed specifications and maintenance records for fire doors.   

While the Building Safety Act 2022 does not explicitly detail specific fire door regulations beyond the amendments made to the RRO via the Fire Safety Act 2021, its overarching emphasis on enhanced building safety, the clearly defined responsibilities of the Accountable Person, and the requirement for a comprehensive “golden thread” of information strongly suggest that fire doors within HRBs will be subject to a higher level of scrutiny and potentially more detailed management and documentation requirements in future guidance and regulations. The Act signifies a fundamental shift towards a more robust and accountable system for ensuring building safety in higher-risk premises.

Approved Document B serves as the practical guide for achieving compliance with the legal duties set out in the primary legislation. It translates the broad requirements into specific technical standards that must be adhered to in the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of fire doors. The regular updates and amendments to Approved Document B reflect the evolving understanding of fire safety principles and the need for continuous improvement in building regulations.

Fire Door Standards and Certification

Compliance with recognised fire door standards is a critical aspect of ensuring that fire doors will perform as intended in the event of a fire. In the UK, both British Standards (BS 476) and European Standards (BS EN 1634) are relevant for fire resistance testing. While BS 476 has been a long-standing UK standard, BS EN 1634-1, the European standard for testing fire resistance of door and shutter assemblies, is increasingly becoming the primary standard for new fire doors in the UK.

Fire Door Ratings and What They Mean

Fire door ratings, such as FD30 and FD60, are derived from these testing standards and indicate the minimum duration in minutes that the door is designed to resist fire. The suffix’ s’, for example, in FD30s, signifies that the door also offers smoke control capabilities.

To provide further assurance of product performance and compliance with the required standards, third-party certification schemes play a vital role. Organisations such as BM TRADA Q-Mark, FIRAS, and LPCB independently assess fire door products and manufacturers to ensure they meet the necessary criteria. The use of third-party certified fire doors provides credibility and confidence in their ability to perform as intended.

Moreover, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) requires that fire doors and their associated hardware be marked with a CE marking, indicating compliance with relevant European safety standards. Following Brexit, the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is now being used in Great Britain, replacing the CE mark for products that are being placed on the market. Adherence to these standards and the use of certified products are essential for demonstrating compliance with the legal standards for fire doors.

Specific Requirements and Guidance for Fire Doors

Beyond the overarching legislative framework and the technical guidance provided in Approved Document B, there are specific requirements and best practices related to the installation, maintenance and the use of fire doors that are crucial for ensuring their effectiveness. Fire doors must be installed correctly by competent fire door installers that strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adhering to relevant standards such as BS 8214, which provides a code of practice for fire door assemblies. Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations 2010 mandates that comprehensive fire safety information, including details about installed fire doors, must be provided to the Responsible Person upon completion of any building work.  

Regular inspections and maintenance is so important ensure that fire doors continue to function effectively throughout their lifespan. These checks should encompass the condition of the door leaf, the frame, all seals (including intumescent strips and smoke seals), hinges, latches, and any self-closing devices. 

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 stipulate specific frequencies for these inspections in residential buildings over 11 metres in height, requiring quarterly checks of communal fire doors and annual checks of flat entrance doors.

Clear and appropriate fire safety signage is also a legal requirement for fire doors, typically including signs such as “Fire Door Keep Shut” in compliance with BS 5499. The hardware used on fire doors must be fire-rated, including hinges with a melting point above 800°C, self-closing mechanisms that meet BS EN 1154 standards, and fire-rated locks and latches. If vision panels are incorporated into fire doors, these must also be fire-rated. 

Finally, the permissible gaps between the fire door and its frame are strictly controlled, generally limited to 3-4mm, to effectively prevent the passage of smoke and fire. Specific requirements also exist for the gap at the threshold of the door.

Enforcement and Penalties

The responsibility for enforcing fire safety legislation, including requirements for fire doors, primarily rests with local Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs). These authorities possess the power to conduct inspections of premises to assess compliance with the relevant regulations. During these inspections, they may request to review fire risk assessments and other pertinent documentation. In instances where non-compliance is identified, FRAs have a range of enforcement actions available to them.   

One common form of enforcement action is the issuance of an Enforcement Notice, which requires the Responsible Person to undertake specific improvements to fire safety measures by a stipulated date. In situations where there is an immediate and serious risk to the safety of individuals, the FRA may issue a Prohibition Notice, which can restrict or completely prohibit the use of all or part of the premises until the identified hazards are rectified. Moreover, an Alterations Notice may be served, requiring the Responsible Person to notify the FRA before making any specified changes to the premises.

Not adhering to fire safety regulations can result in significant penalties. These can include substantial fines, with the possibility of unlimited fines for serious breaches of the legislation. In the most severe cases of non-compliance, individuals responsible for fire safety breaches may face imprisonment for up to two years. The government guides enforcement and sanctions for non-compliance with fire safety legislation, offering further clarity on this aspect. 

The potential for significant penalties underscores the critical importance of ensuring full compliance with all fire door regulations. While enforcement is a necessary component of the regulatory framework, FRAs also often focuses on educating the businesses on how to maintain safe premises.

Fire Door Regulations Summary

The laws concerning fire doors in the UK are comprehensive and continually changing, highlighting the need for compliance and awareness. The core of these regulations is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which establishes essential fire safety guidelines. Recent amendments, including the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, have outlined specific requirements, particularly for residential buildings.

The Building Safety Act 2022 marks a pivotal moment in the regulation of higher-risk buildings. Essential to these regulations is the guidance laid out in the Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B), which details the standards for the specification, installation, and maintenance of fire doors. To guarantee their effectiveness, adherence to recognised British and European standards, as well as third-party certification, is crucial.

It’s essential to recognise that fire doors serve as vital life-saving devices rather than just passive elements within a building. Understanding and complying with relevant legislation not only helps ensure safety but also mitigates the risk of significant enforcement actions and penalties.

Fire Door Inspections and Maintenance with SAB Group

Ensure the safety of your people and the compliance of your building with our expert Fire Door Inspections and Maintenance at SAB Group. Our team provides thorough fire door inspections, ensuring that your fire doors function properly and comply with all relevant safety regulations. 

Contact us today to schedule a fire door inspection across Norfolk and East Anglia. Your peace of mind is just a call away.