Fire Door Maintenance 101: How Often Should Your Fire Doors Be Checked?
Fire doors do one job, but it's an important one. They hold back smoke and flames long enough for people to get out safely and for fire crews to get in. That's why fire door maintenance isn't something to leave until an inspector points out a problem. Regular checks are what keep a fire door doing its job when it matters most. Why Fire Door Maintenance Matters A fire door is not the same as an ordinary door once you get past the glance. It has intumescent seals, self-closing devices, smoke seals, and precise gaps around the frame – millimetres, not centimetres. Any one of these being damaged, painted over, or simply worn out reduces the amount of time the door can hold back fire. Regulations in the UK require landlords, employers, and building owners to keep fire doors in a state that will perform in an emergency, and that means routine fire door maintenance rather than a one-off check. How Often Should Fire Doors Be Checked? Guidance from bodies such as the Briti...