A failed inspection means one or more fire doors did not meet the standard they are meant to meet. The finding is recorded, and the Responsible Person now knows those doors cannot be relied on. This post sets out what happens next, who acts, and what repair or replacement involves.
What counts as a fail
A door fails when a defect means it may not hold back fire and smoke for its rated time. The usual causes are:
- Seals that are damaged, painted over or missing
- A self-closer that does not shut the door fully or latch it
- Gaps around the leaf or frame beyond the limits in the door's certification
- A damaged or altered leaf, including unauthorised holes or trimming
- Hardware or glazing that is not rated for the doorset
- A door with no identifiable rating or paperwork
Some of these are a few minutes' work to correct. Others need parts, a certified repair or a new doorset.
What the inspection records
Each door is logged with its location, its rating if it can be identified, what was found, and what it needs. A useful report lets the Responsible Person scope and price the work straight from the document. A report that only says "some doors failed" does not do that.
What the Responsible Person has to do
The Responsible Person must keep fire safety measures in efficient working order under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Once a failure is recorded, that duty is documented, and the next steps are the Responsible Person's:
- Read the report and identify which doors are affected and where they sit.
- Decide interim measures through the building's fire risk assessment. These depend on the defect and the door's position.
- Instruct the remedial work.
- Keep the report, the work records and the sign-off.
- Have the doors checked again once the work is done.
Repair or replace
Most failures are repairs. A door is replaced only when repair cannot restore its rating.
Repair is usual for:
- Seals that are damaged or missing
- Closers that need adjusting or replacing
- Hardware that was swapped for non-rated parts
- Small damage to the leaf that can be made good using a method compatible with the door's certification
Replacement is usual for:
- A leaf damaged beyond repair
- A frame that cannot hold the rating
- A door cut down or altered so far that the certification no longer applies
- A door that cannot be identified and has no paperwork
A repair that looks neat but does not match the door's certification does not restore the rating. Replacements need to be a certified doorset at the rating the position requires. Our post on FD30 vs FD60 explains how that is set.
What happens if the work is not done
A recorded failure that is left unactioned is difficult to defend after an incident. The fire and rescue authority can also act under the 2005 Order. It can issue an enforcement notice, or a prohibition notice that restricts use of the premises. Serious breaches can be prosecuted, with an unlimited fine and, on conviction in the Crown Court, up to two years in prison.
Got a question?
Firestop inspects and maintains fire doors, and supplies and installs new doorsets where repair is not enough. Contact us or request a quote.