How often must fire doors be inspected?
For residential buildings over 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least quarterly and flat entrance doors at least annually. For other premises, the frequency is set by the fire risk assessment, with an annual documented inspection a sensible minimum.
What is Article 17?
Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that fire safety provisions — including fire doors — are maintained in efficient working order and good repair.
In practice this means routine checks and prompt remedials, not just a periodic formal inspection.
What about commercial and other non-residential premises?
The fixed quarterly/annual frequencies above come from the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which apply specifically to multi-occupied residential buildings such as blocks of flats. They do not set a single legal frequency for offices, shops, warehouses, factories, hotels, schools, care homes or other commercial and public premises.
For those buildings, the duty still applies under Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — fire doors must be kept in efficient working order and good repair — but the inspection frequency is determined by your fire risk assessment, based on building risk, occupancy and how heavily the doors are used.
In practice an annual documented inspection is a sensible minimum for most commercial premises, with more frequent checks (often quarterly or monthly) for high-traffic or higher-risk doors such as those in care homes, schools, hotels and busy public buildings. Day-to-day visual checks by staff should sit alongside the formal inspection.
Does the fire risk assessment override these frequencies?
The statutory quarterly/annual checks are minimums for tall residential buildings. A fire risk assessment can require more frequent inspection where risk, occupancy or door usage justify it — for example high-traffic doors in care homes or schools.
Frequently asked questions
Is quarterly inspection a legal requirement?
Yes, for communal fire doors in residential buildings over 11 metres under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
What does 'best endeavours' mean for flat doors?
The Responsible Person must take reasonable steps to inspect flat entrance doors annually, recognising access depends on residents.
Who decides the frequency for a commercial building?
The fire risk assessment, informed by occupancy, door usage and building risk.