How to Inspect Fire Doors Properly in Hotels and Flats
What Makes a Fire Door So Important?
Fire doors are not just any doors. They are a crucial part of a building's passive fire protection system. Properly installed and maintained fire doors help contain fires, protect escape routes, and give people more time to evacuate. In blocks of flats, hotels, care homes, and other multi-occupancy buildings across Dorset, fire doors are especially vital.
Legal Context and Standards
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place duties on the Responsible Person to carry out routine checks of fire doors, particularly:
Checking the self-closing mechanism works properly
Ensuring the door shuts tightly into the frame
Inspecting for damage, wear, or unapproved modifications
The British Standard BS 8214:2016 also outlines best practices for fire door installation and maintenance, and FDIS guidance provides benchmarks for inspections.
How Often Should Fire Doors Be Inspected?
Monthly: Visual checks of communal fire doors
Six-monthly: Professional inspection of fire doors in higher-risk areas
Annually: Full inspection, including checking intumescent seals, gaps, door furniture, hinges, and closers
Common Issues We See in Dorset
Pinks Fire Safety regularly performs fire door inspections throughout Bournemouth, Weymouth, and Dorchester. We frequently encounter:
Doors wedged open
Missing or damaged intumescent seals
Excessive gaps (above 4mm on sides or 8mm underneath)
Malfunctioning closers
Incorrect or missing signage
Each of these issues could render a fire door ineffective in an emergency.
Responsibilities in Hotels and Flats
For hotels and serviced accommodations, fire door checks are part of your regulatory compliance and your insurance obligations. For flats (including purpose-built blocks and conversions), Responsible Persons must ensure fire doors protecting common areas are inspected regularly and are fit for purpose.
Benefits of a Professional Fire Door Inspection
A competent inspection:
Identifies legal breaches early
Improves occupant safety
Documents compliance with the FSO and new regulations
Helps prioritise remedial work and budgeting
Dorset Locations We Serve
Our fire door inspection services extend to:
Tourist hotels in Swanage, Lyme Regis and Weymouth
Residential flats in Bournemouth and Christchurch
Managed blocks and letting agents in Poole, Yeovil and Dorchester
Ensure your fire doors are compliant and safe. Book a professional fire door inspection today with Pinks Fire Safety—serving Dorset, Yeovil and Taunton with practical, fully documented inspections.