Fire doors are an essential part of keeping commercial buildings safe. They help slow the spread of fire and smoke, protect escape routes and give occupants valuable time to evacuate. However, even a high-quality fire door can become ineffective if it isn't installed or maintained correctly.
For building owners and facilities managers, regular inspections are key for identifying potential problems and meeting fire safety responsibilities. From damaged seals to faulty closing mechanisms, there are several common reasons why commercial fire safety doors fail compliance inspections.
Here, we explore what to look out for, how these problems can be resolved and why ongoing fire door maintenance matters.
1. Damaged or Missing Fire Door Seals
Fire doors rely on intumescent seals to help prevent fire from spreading between different areas of a building. These seals expand when exposed to high temperatures, helping to close the gaps between the door and its frame. Smoke seals also help restrict smoke from passing through.
Over time, seals can become damaged, loose or worn, particularly in busy commercial environments. Missing seals or those that have been painted over can also affect a door's performance.
How to fix it:
Check seals regularly for signs of damage or deterioration. Any damaged or missing seals should be replaced with suitable products that meet the door manufacturer's specifications. This is an important part of effective fire door maintenance.
2. Incorrect Gaps Around the Door
The gaps between a fire door and its frame may seem like a minor detail, but they can make a big difference during a fire.
If gaps are too large, flames and smoke may pass through more easily. If they're too small, the door may find it difficult to close properly.
For many fire doors, a gap of approximately 3mm around the top and sides is typical, although exact requirements depend on the door's tested specification.
How to fix it:
Have a competent professional measure the gaps and check the door's alignment. Adjustments may be necessary to ensure the door closes correctly while conserving its fire resistance. Correct fitting during the initial fire door installation can help prevent these problems.
3. Faulty Self-Closing Mechanisms
A fire door can only provide effective protection when it is fully closed. This is why self-closing mechanisms are particularly important in commercial buildings, where doors are opened and closed frequently throughout the day.
If a closer becomes damaged, disconnected, or incorrectly adjusted, the door may fail to shut completely. This leaves an opening through which fire and smoke can spread.
How to fix it:
Test self-closing devices regularly to ensure the door closes fully from different opening positions and engages with its latch where required. Faulty mechanisms should be repaired or replaced with compatible components.
4. Damaged Door Leaves and Frames
Daily wear and tear can have a significant impact on fire safety doors, especially in high-traffic environments such as schools, hospitals and commercial offices.
Repeated impacts from trolleys, equipment and general use can cause cracks, holes, damaged edges or loose frames. Even relatively minor damage can affect the performance of a fire door.
How to fix it:
Inspect door leaves and frames for visible damage, paying particular attention to edges, joints and fixing points. Some defects can be repaired using approved methods, while more extensive damage may require replacement.
If you're searching for fire door installers near me, choose a competent contractor who can assess whether an existing door can be repaired safely or needs replacing.
5. Incorrect Hinges and Door Hardware
A fire door is more than just the door itself. Hinges, locks, latches and other components all contribute to its overall performance.
Using unsuitable replacement hardware, missing screws or making unauthorised modifications can compromise the door's fire resistance. Poor-quality fire door installation can also result in components that don't meet the required specifications.
How to fix it:
Check that hinges and other hardware are secure, undamaged and compatible with the door's tested design. Any replacements should follow the manufacturer's guidance and be completed by a competent professional.
When looking for fire door installers near me, consider their relevant qualifications, experience and third-party accreditations rather than choosing based on price alone.
6. Fire Doors Being Wedged Open
It's not uncommon to see fire doors propped open in busy workplaces, particularly where staff need to move frequently between rooms.
However, using wedges, furniture or other objects to hold doors open prevents them from closing in an emergency. This can allow fire and smoke to spread through corridors and escape routes.
How to fix it:
Make sure employees understand why fire doors must remain closed unless suitable automatic hold-open devices are installed. These devices should release when required by the building's fire detection or alarm system.
Regular workplace checks can also help identify doors being used incorrectly before they become a serious safety concern.
7. Lack of Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Even when fire doors are correctly installed, their condition can change over time. Hinges can loosen, seals can deteriorate, and closing mechanisms can become less effective.
Without regular inspections, these issues may go unnoticed until a compliance check identifies them.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must ensure appropriate fire safety measures are maintained in commercial premises.
How to fix it:
Establish a planned fire door maintenance programme that considers the building's use, the condition of its doors and its fire risk assessment.
Regular inspections can help identify problems early, allowing repairs to be completed before they affect safety or lead to more expensive replacements.
Keep Your Commercial Fire Doors Compliant with Intertech Contracts
Keeping your fire doors compliant is essential for protecting your building and everyone who uses it. Whether you need an inspection, repairs or a complete replacement, working with experienced professionals can help ensure your doors meet the required standards.
At Intertech Contracts, we have over 30 years of industry experience, providing professional fire door inspection, installation and ongoing maintenance services across the UK. Our qualified team has worked across commercial, education, healthcare and MOD/MOJ environments, delivering reliable solutions developed to each building's requirements.
If you've been searching for fire door installers near me, our Hull-based team can help with projects throughout the UK. From initial assessments to complete fire door installation, we provide practical advice and high-quality workmanship to help keep your fire safety doors in good condition.
Contact us for more information about our fire door services and how we can help keep your commercial premises safe and compliant.
