Fire doors fail inspections
The fire door inspection scheme (FDIS) say three-quarters of fire doors failed inspections in the UK, prompting a warning of a "tragedy waiting to happen".
The figure is based on more than 10,000 fire door inspections carried out by FDIS inspectors in 2021.
These inspections found that 75% of fire doors failed to meet the required standards. The most common reasons for inspection failure were: excessive gaps between the door and the frame (77%); care and maintenance issues (54%); and issues over smoke sealing (37%). In almost a third (31%) of cases, inspections failed due to improper installation.
Buildings that had the highest number of fire door inspection failures included healthcare, local authority and housing assocation buildings, as well as private housing.
Meanwhile, 77% of FDIS inspectors have seen an increase in demand for fire door inspections since the introduction of the Building Safety Act.
Louise Halton, FDIS scheme manager, said: "With the vast majority of fire doors in the UK failing inspections, it's sad to say that a tragedy is simply waiting to happen. This is especially so in buildings that are home to vulnerable residents. But this situation is entirely preventable and, at this stage, still reversible. A fit-for-purpose fire door can save lives.
"It's crucial that reputable and trained fire door inspectors, such as those approved by the FDIS, carry out fire door inspections. However, the ongoing reporting of maintenance issues with fire doors is a role for us all – every building user should play a proactive role in reporting any faults to ensure they are quickly addressed so that the building's safety is maintained."
This article was taken from the CIAT news website on May 16, entitled "Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections' the article was originally published on Construction Manager by Neil Gerrard.
--CIAT
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Grenfell fire door investigation.
- Fire door inspection scheme (FDIS)
- Fire Doors (DG 524).
- Fire Doors in buildings.
- Fire doorset.
- Fire in buildings.
- Fire protection engineering.
- Fire resistance.
- Free-swing door closer.
- Hold-open device.
- Installing fire doors and doorsets (GG 86).
- Intumescent strip.
- Means of escape.
- Place of safety.
- Protected door.
- Protected escape route.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Self-closing device.
- Width of doors stairs and escape routes.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.