Fire Door Maintenance: Why It’s Just as Important as Installation

Fire Door Maintenance: Why It’s Just as Important as Installation

When it comes to fire safety, installing a certified fire door is only the first step. To remain effective, fire doors must be regularly maintained. Without ongoing checks and upkeep, even the best-quality fire door can fail when it is needed most.

At Fire Doors Rite Ltd, we regularly encounter fire doors that were correctly installed but later became non-compliant due to poor maintenance. This blog explains why fire door maintenance is essential and how it helps protect lives, property, and legal compliance.

Why Fire Door Maintenance Matters

Fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, allowing occupants time to escape safely. Over time, daily use, accidental damage, and building movement can affect how a fire door performs.

Routine maintenance ensures that fire doors continue to function exactly as intended in an emergency.

Common Fire Door Issues Caused by Poor Maintenance

Without regular checks, small problems can quickly turn into serious safety risks. Common maintenance issues include:

• doors not closing fully or latching correctly
• damaged or missing intumescent seals
• excessive gaps around the door edges
• broken or incorrectly adjusted door closers
• damaged hinges or hardware
• fire doors being wedged open

Any of these faults can allow fire and smoke to spread rapidly through a building.

Legal Responsibilities for Fire Door Maintenance

Building owners, landlords, and duty holders have a legal responsibility to ensure fire doors are maintained in a safe and compliant condition. Fire safety legislation requires that fire doors are:

• regularly inspected
• properly maintained
• repaired or replaced when defects are identified

Failure to meet these responsibilities can lead to enforcement action, fines, or serious consequences following a fire.

How Often Should Fire Doors Be Maintained?

Best practice guidance recommends:

• Inspections every 6 months in most buildings
• More frequent checks in high-traffic or high-risk environments such as care homes, hospitals, and schools

Any defects found during inspections should be addressed promptly to maintain compliance.

The Benefits of Regular Fire Door Maintenance

Improved Safety: Well-maintained fire doors help protect escape routes and reduce the spread of fire and smoke.

Cost Savings: Early identification of issues helps avoid costly replacements and emergency repairs.

Regulatory Compliance: Routine maintenance helps demonstrate compliance during fire risk assessments and audits.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your fire doors are working correctly provides confidence that your building is protected.

Why Choose Fire Doors Rite Ltd?

Fire Doors Rite Ltd provides professional fire door maintenance services tailored to your building’s needs. Our experienced team offers:

• thorough fire door inspections
• clear reports and recommendations
• expert repairs and adjustments
• replacement of non-compliant components
• ongoing support to maintain compliance

We work with commercial, residential, and public sector clients to ensure fire doors remain safe, compliant, and reliable.

Fire door maintenance is not optional — it is a critical part of any fire safety strategy. Regular inspections and timely repairs ensure fire doors continue to protect lives, property, and escape routes when it matters most.

If you’re unsure about the condition of your fire doors, Fire Doors Rite Ltd is here to help.

Contact us today to arrange professional fire door maintenance and keep your building safe and compliant.