Fire Door Inspections: What the Fire Safety Act 2021 Means for You

The Fire Safety Act 2021 introduced specific requirements for fire door inspections in residential buildings over 11 metres in height. These requirements place clear duties on the responsible person to conduct regular checks of fire doors in communal areas and flat entrance doors.

For communal fire doors (those in corridors, stairwells, and other shared areas), the responsible person must ensure they are checked at least every three months. These quarterly checks should verify that doors close correctly, that self-closing devices are functioning, and that there is no visible damage to the door, frame, or intumescent strips.

Flat entrance doors must be checked at least annually. While residents cannot be compelled to allow access, the responsible person must make best endeavours to inspect these doors and keep records of all attempts and outcomes.

Fire door checks should be recorded systematically, including the date of inspection, the identity of the door, findings, and any remedial actions required. This documentation forms part of the building’s fire safety record and may be requested by the fire and rescue authority.

Custodia’s inspection workflow allows property managers to schedule, conduct, and record fire door checks using mobile devices — even in areas with poor connectivity. The system tracks individual doors, flags overdue inspections, and generates compliance reports automatically.