Fire Door Surveys & Inspections
Professional Fire Door Inspections for Commercial, Residential and Managed Properties
Helping property owners, managing agents and Responsible Persons identify fire door defects, maintain compliance and protect building occupants.
At Hielaman Ltd, we provide independent fire door surveys and inspections to help organisations assess the condition, suitability and performance of fire doors within their premises.
Fire doors play a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and maintaining the integrity of a building's fire compartmentation. However, damaged, poorly installed or inadequately maintained fire doors may fail to provide the expected level of protection during a fire.
Our inspections provide a systematic assessment of accessible fire door assemblies, identifying defects and providing clear, practical recommendations for remedial works.
Why Are Fire Door Surveys Important?
Fire doors are an essential part of a building's passive fire protection measures. Their effectiveness depends not only on the original door specification but also on correct installation, suitable components and ongoing maintenance.
Over time, general wear and tear, building movement, unauthorised alterations and poor maintenance can compromise a fire door's performance.
Our inspections identify these issues and help Responsible Persons prioritise appropriate corrective action.
Common defects
- Excessive gaps between the door leaf and frame.
- Damaged or missing intumescent and smoke seals.
- Defective self-closing devices.
- Doors that fail to close fully or engage with the latch.
- Damaged door leaves, frames and glazing.
- Missing, loose or unsuitable hinges and ironmongery.
- Excessive threshold gaps.
- Unauthorised alterations, penetrations or inappropriate repairs.
- Fire doors being wedged or held open without suitable approved devices.
What Does Our Fire Door Survey Include?
Our surveys involve a visual, non-destructive inspection of accessible fire doors, with consideration given to relevant fire safety legislation, applicable British Standards and available manufacturer information.
Door Leaf and Frame
Examination of the door leaf, frame, visible damage, distortion, alignment and general condition, including indicators of previous alterations or unsuitable repairs.
Door Gaps and Clearances
Assessment of perimeter and threshold clearances, taking account of applicable specifications and manufacturer requirements.
Intumescent and Smoke Seals
Inspection of visible intumescent strips, smoke seals and threshold sealing arrangements to identify missing, damaged, painted-over or poorly fitted components.
Hinges and Ironmongery
Inspection of visible hinges, screws, locks, latches, handles, letterplates and associated hardware for signs of damage, missing components or potential incompatibility.
Self-Closing Devices
Functional checks, where safe and practicable, to determine whether doors close effectively from appropriate opening positions and engage correctly with their latches.
Glazing and Vision Panels
Visual inspection of glazed elements, glazing seals, beads and visible defects that may affect the door assembly's fire-resisting performance.
Signage and Door Management
Assessment of appropriate fire door signage, hold-open arrangements, evidence of misuse and general management considerations.
Fire Door Identification
Consideration of available door identification labels, certification details, manufacturer information and other supporting evidence.
Where the original fire-resistance specification cannot be established, this limitation is recorded rather than assuming that a door is certified or compliant.
What Will You Receive?
Following completion of the survey, Hielaman Ltd provides a structured fire door inspection report to support maintenance planning and remedial work.
Our focus is on providing clear, practical information that allows Responsible Persons to understand what is wrong, why it matters and what action is required.
Your report can include
- An inspection record for each surveyed door.
- Door identification numbers and locations.
- Photographic evidence of identified defects.
- Observations relating to door condition, operation and components.
- Risk-based prioritisation of identified deficiencies.
- Recommended remedial actions.
- Identification of doors requiring further specialist investigation or potential replacement.
- A summary of significant findings to support the building's fire safety management arrangements.
Fire Door Repairs and Remedial Works
Not every defective fire door necessarily requires replacement. Depending on the defect, door specification and manufacturer's requirements, appropriate repairs may be possible.
Hielaman Ltd provides independent inspection findings and recommendations. Any repair or alteration should be undertaken by a competent fire door contractor using a manufacturer-approved repair method or other suitably evidenced technique appropriate to the door assembly.
Where the existing door's performance cannot be adequately demonstrated, further investigation or replacement may be recommended.
This approach helps clients make informed decisions without automatically recommending unnecessary replacement.
Fire Door Inspection Legal Requirements
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Responsible Persons must ensure appropriate fire safety precautions are provided and maintained, including relevant fire-resisting doors.
For multi-occupied residential buildings in England, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduce specific fire door inspection requirements for buildings exceeding 11 metres in height.
Communal fire doors
Checks at least every three months.
Flat entrance fire doors
Best endeavours to undertake checks at least every 12 months.
These statutory checks are generally basic checks intended to identify obvious defects and are distinct from a more detailed specialist fire door survey.
More detailed inspections may be appropriate depending on the building's risk profile, door condition, use and findings from the Fire Risk Assessment.
Hielaman Ltd can assist Responsible Persons in identifying defects, documenting door condition and developing appropriate inspection and maintenance priorities.
Properties We Inspect
We undertake fire door surveys for a range of property types, including:
- Residential apartment blocks and housing developments.
- Housing associations and managed residential properties.
- Offices and commercial premises.
- Schools, colleges and educational buildings.
- Healthcare and supported living premises.
- Hotels and hospitality buildings.
- Industrial premises and warehouses.
- Mixed-use developments and multi-occupied buildings.
Surveys can be tailored to individual premises, selected fire doors or larger building portfolios.
Why Choose Hielaman Ltd?
Independent Fire Safety Expertise
Our inspections are undertaken with an understanding of wider fire safety principles, compartmentation, means of escape and fire risk assessment.
Clear and Practical Reports
We provide straightforward findings supported by photographs and recommended actions, avoiding unnecessary technical complexity.
Risk-Based Recommendations
Defects are considered in the context of their potential effect on fire safety, allowing clients to prioritise significant issues.
Professional Approach
We work with property managers, housing providers, facilities teams and other dutyholders to support effective fire safety management.
Fire Risk Assessment Experience
Our wider fire risk assessment experience helps us understand how fire doors contribute to a building's overall fire safety strategy.
On Site
Request a Fire Door Survey
Whether you manage a residential block, commercial property or portfolio of buildings, Hielaman Ltd can provide an independent assessment of your fire doors.
We offer professional inspection services with clear reporting, photographic records and practical recommendations to help you plan remedial works and maintain fire safety standards.
Discuss your fire door requirements
Contact Hielaman Ltd today to discuss your requirements or request a quotation.
Request a Quotation