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Based in Birmingham, we provide fire door inspections for clients across the West Midlands and Warwickshire regions.
We talk a lot about the importance of fire doors in saving lives and minimising damage to property.
But fire doors can only be effective if they are inspected regularly by a qualified fire door assessor to check for damage or imperfections that could impact the integrity of the door.
The Door Frame
A fire door frame must be installed in line with the door leaf manufacturer’s installation instructions and guidelines. These will detail information relating to the door frame: material, jointing type, sectional size and fixing methods allowed for the frame. A fire door assessor from our Birmingham office will inspect how the frame has been jointed, what material it’s made from, and the position of the frame and wall fixings. We will also check the frame for any defects, like gaps or damage, that could allow fire to escape.
The Door Leaf
The door leaf is the most important component of any fire door set. During our inspection, our fire door assessor will check whether the door leaf is damaged, if it’s bowed or twisted, if it’s been over-morticed at fixing points or trimmed beyond its allowed tolerance. Depending on the extent of the damage, the door leaf may need to be replaced.
Door Leaf Gaps
As part of the fire door inspection service we will ensure the door leaf gaps are in line with BS 8214 which specifically states the gaps at the top edge and vertical edges do not exceed 4 mm and 3.5 mm at the meeting edge of double-leaf doors. BS 8214 also states that a suitable operating gap to avoid burn through is 2 – 4 mm. The threshold gap (the gap at the bottom of the door to the floor) is typically 8 mm – 10 mm, however in the case of doors that need to stop fire and smoke e.g. FD30s or FD60s the required threshold gap is 3 mm.
Hinges
Our fire door assessor will inspect hinges as they must be able to cope with the weight of the fire door. Hinges should also be fire rated, with a melting point above 800°C. In our inspection, we will check how many hinges are in place, whether there is any excessive black oil, the knuckle diameter and blade size, and the gauge and length of the fixing screws. Some door leaves will require intumescent protection behind the hinge blades so we will check the certificate data sheet if it is available.
Glazing
The primary purpose of glazing on a fire door is to provide vision through the door leaf. A fire door assessor from our West Midlands based company will check whether the glazing is fire rated, whether there are any signs of damage and check the type of glazing beading, and if there is any gasket visible between the glass and the beads.
Self-Closing Device
Self-closing devices are found on most fire doors in buildings. They should be able to perform to standard in a fire and be compatible with the door leaf certification. Once we document the type of self-closing device and the configuration it’s installed in, we will check if there’s any damage, whether it closes fully against the rebate stop and whether it’s in the correct position.
Lock or Latch
Not all fire doors will have a lock or latch installed. If a fire door does not have either a lock or latch, we will check to see if it’s suitable to be used that way. When carrying out our fire door inspection, we will record the type of lock or latch fitted, any markings it may have, and its dimensions and position. After this, we will check whether it’s fitted and working correctly, and check for any damage.
Contact Us
To make an enquiry about the services provided by our fire door inspection company, please reach out to our team in Birmingham by phone or email. We will respond as soon as possible.
How Often Should an Inspection Take Place?
Regular inspections are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of fire doors in buildings. According to the BS:9999: Code of Practice for Fire Safety, fire doors should undergo inspection at least every six months to identify any wear or damage that could compromise their functionality during a fire.
However, there are specific regulations that apply to residential buildings over 11 meters in height in England, particularly in response to the tragic incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire. Regulation 10, implemented in January 2023, mandates that responsible individuals for such buildings conduct quarterly checks on all fire doors in common areas. Additionally, they are required to perform annual checks, to the best of their ability, on all flat entrance doors leading to common areas.
