Ratings and where they're required.
| Location | Typical requirement | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Doors onto protected stairs and escape corridors | FD30S self-closing | Escape route protection — the assessment benchmark for the premises type |
| Flat entrance doors onto common parts | FD30S self-closing | Fire Safety Act 2021 scope; stay-put strategy dependency — see blocks of flats |
| HMO bedroom and risk-room doors | FD30 (S where the assessment requires), self-closing | LACORS-derived standards under HMO licensing |
| Compartment lines, plant rooms, kitchens in sleeping premises | FD30 or FD60 to match the wall's rating | Compartmentation integrity |
| New-build/refurbishment work | Per Approved Document B | Building Regulations at construction; the Order thereafter |
The assembly, not the leaf
Certification (BS 476-22 or BS EN 1634-1 test evidence) applies to the door set: leaf and frame with intumescent strips that expand to seal the gap in fire, cold smoke seals for the S rating, minimum three fire-rated hinges, a controlled self-closer that fully closes the door from any angle, fire-rated glazing and intumescent letterplates where fitted. Gaps matter: nominally 3mm (up to 4mm) at head and sides, and a threshold gap small enough that smoke seals can work — commonly cited as up to 8mm without, 3mm with. Replace a closer with a non-rated one, trim the leaf past its tolerance, or fit ordinary glass, and the certification is void even though the door looks the same.
Checking duties and what to look for.
In multi-occupied residential buildings above 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require quarterly checks of communal fire doors and best-endeavours annual checks of flat entrance doors. In workplaces, the assessment sets the regime — typically monthly to six-monthly visual checks plus the periodic maintenance the log book evidences. A competent check covers:
- Door closes fully into the frame from any opening angle, unaided, latching where fitted.
- Intumescent strips and smoke seals continuous, undamaged, not painted over.
- Gaps within tolerance; no daylight visible at the threshold beyond spec.
- Hinges — all present, screws tight, no leaking oil (a failing-hinge sign).
- Leaf and frame free of damage, unauthorised holes, non-rated hardware or ironmongery.
- Certification evidence: label or plug on the leaf top edge, or installation documentation on file.
- No wedges, no disconnected closers — the two most prosecuted door failures.
"Fire doors are required to be self-closing... residents should be provided with information on the importance of fire doors to a building's fire safety."Regulation 10, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Hold-open done legally
Operational needs are met with electromagnetic hold-open or free-swing devices that release on alarm actuation — never wedges. In care settings these are standard equipment; in offices they end the wedging culture the assessor will otherwise keep reporting. See how doors sit within the wider inspection in what the assessor checks.