This guidance is issued by the Secretary of State in accordance with Article 50 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the FSO).

“Fire Doors are crucial in preventing the spread fire and smoke in buildings.”

The Fire Safety Order 2023 legislation builds upon previous fire safety regulations, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Here's a detailed overview:

Fire Risk Assessments

- Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These assessments evaluate fire precautions in common areas of buildings, ensuring they are safe for evacuation during a fire.

- Assessors may recommend improvements to fire doors, and it is the responsibility of the "Responsible Persons" (building owners or managers) to implement these recommendations.

- Maintenance or replacement of fire doors may be necessary if faults are found. However, doors that remain fit for purpose from a fire safety perspective do not need to be replaced simply because they do not meet current Building Regulations standards.

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

- These regulations were enacted on 18 May 2022 and came into force on 23 January 2023, implementing recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.

- Responsible Persons must comply with these regulations, and breaches that place individuals at risk of death or serious injury are considered criminal offences.

- Regulation 10 specifically addresses fire doors in buildings with two or more domestic premises and common parts used for evacuation during a fire.

Regulation 10 Requirements

1. Information for Residents:

- Residents must be informed about fire door safety, including keeping doors shut, avoiding tampering with self-closing devices, and reporting faults or damage.

- This information must be provided to new residents promptly and reminded to all residents annually.

2. Routine Checks:

- Communal fire doors must be checked quarterly, and flat entrance doors must be checked annually in buildings taller than 11 meters (typically more than four storeys).

- Checks are visual and do not require tools, allowing caretakers or maintenance personnel to perform them. Any repairs or replacements must be carried out by competent contractors.

Role of Fire Doors

Fire doors are categorized based on their function:

- Flat Entrance Doors: Prevent fire and smoke from spreading into common areas, ensuring the safety of other residents.

- Doors to Stairways and Lobbies: Keep escape routes free from fire and smoke.

- Corridor Sub-Division Doors: Limit fire and smoke spread in long corridors.

- Doors to Plant Rooms and Service Risers: Protect areas containing electrical equipment or vertical passageways for cables and pipes.

Resident Responsibilities

Residents play a crucial role in fire safety:

- They must ensure flat entrance doors are effective barriers against fire and smoke.

- Alterations to front doors must be approved by Responsible Persons to avoid compromising fire risk assessments.

Routine Fire Door Checks

- Responsible Persons must use best efforts to check flat entrance doors annually and communal fire doors quarterly.

- Records of checks must be maintained, including instances where access to flats was denied. Persistent refusal by residents may require legal action.

Competency and Maintenance

- Fire door inspections and repairs must be conducted by competent individuals. Routine checks can be performed by trained personnel, but complex repairs require specialized contractors.

This legislation emphasizes the importance of maintaining fire doors in good working order to safeguard residents and comply with fire safety regulations.