A fire door survey is an inspection carried out to assess the condition, compliance, and functionality of fire doors within a building. The goal is to ensure that the doors meet fire safety regulations and can effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Any building with fire doors should undergo regular surveys, especially:

• Non-domestic premises (e.g., offices, schools, hospitals).
• Multi-occupancy residential buildings.
• Buildings where fire doors form part of the fire compartmentation strategy.

A fire door survey typically examines:

• Door leaf condition and material.
• Frame-to-leaf gaps and alignment.
• Intumescent strips and smoke seals.
• Door closers and hardware (hinges, locks, handles).
• Markings and certification.
• Proper installation and signage.
• Door Furniture (Letterplates, door viewers etc..)

Fire doors are a crucial part of passive fire protection. A survey ensures that:

• Doors function as intended in case of a fire.
• Any defects are identified and addressed promptly.
• Compliance with legal fire safety requirements is maintained.

The most common Issues found during fire door surveys include:

• Excessive gaps around the door.
• Damaged or missing intumescent strips and seals.
• Poorly maintained door closers.
• Doors not closing fully or latching.
• Non-compliant hardware or unauthorized modifications.
• Lack of proper certification or markings.

If a fire door fails a survey:

• Critical defects should be addressed immediately.
• Minor issues (e.g. hardware repairs) should be scheduled promptly.
• Non-compliant doors may need replacement if repairs are not feasible or if the door is not substantial.