Skip to content
Bristol
Fire Risk Assessment
Send enquiry

BS2 · Old Market

Fire Door Inspection
in Old Market

In residential buildings above 11 metres the Responsible Person must make best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually and communal fire doors quarterly. In other premises fire doors remain covered by the general duty to keep fire safety measures in efficient working order.

Duty summary

England & Wales

Duty
Fire Door Inspection
Instrument
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, regulation 10
Also
article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the maintenance duty
Standard
BS 8214 for timber fire door assemblies, and Approved Document B
Frequency
Communal doors quarterly and flat entrance doors annually, in residential buildings above 11 metres
Carried out by
A competent person
Enforced by
Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Guide price
£220 – £720 per survey

Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.

For duty holders managing properties in Old Market, so that the integrity of fire doors is a critical aspect of fire safety. This area, known for its Georgian and Victorian frontages with flats over shops, small offices, pubs, and licensed venues on West Street and Old Market Street, presents a diverse range of buildings where fire door inspection in Old Market is often a requirement. Many of these premises in the BS2 postcode district, particularly those with multiple occupants or public access, rely on properly functioning fire doors to compartmentalise fire and facilitate safe evacuation. Regular inspections help to identify defects, wear and tear, or improper installation that could compromise their effectiveness in an emergency. A fire door inspection in Old Market typically costs £220 to £720 per survey, depending on the building's specific characteristics and the scope of the inspection. The exact quote will be provided by the local firm we connect you with.

What a fire door inspection covers

A fire door inspection involves a detailed examination of all components of fire door assemblies within a building. This includes the door leaf, frame, hinges, closers, seals (intumescent and smoke), and ironmongery. The assessor will check for damage, correct installation, and proper functionality, so that the door closes effectively into its frame and that all seals are intact. The scope of the work and, consequently, the price, can vary based on several factors. These include the total number of doors in scope, whether flat entrance doors are included in addition to communal doors, the building's height and tenure, and whether the duty holder requires remedial work to be quoted during the same visit. Access arrangements for occupied flats can also influence the time taken and therefore the cost. The inspection aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the condition of your fire doors and any necessary actions to ensure compliance.

How the enquiry works

  1. You send the details: You provide us with information about your property in Old Market and your fire door inspection requirements.
  2. We pass them to a local firm: Bristol Fire Risk Assessment then shares your enquiry with a local fire safety firm operating in the Old Market area.
  3. That firm contacts you with a quote: The chosen firm will contact you directly to discuss your needs further and provide a tailored quote for the fire door inspection.
  4. You deal with them directly: All subsequent arrangements, including scheduling the inspection and any related services, are made directly between you and the fire safety firm. Bristol Fire Risk Assessment does not carry out the inspection itself.

The legal position on fire door inspection

The legal framework for fire safety in the UK places a clear duty on the Responsible Person to ensure fire doors are maintained effectively. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, specifically regulation 10, mandates that in residential buildings with two or more domestic premises, the Responsible Person must undertake best endeavours to check all flat entrance doors at least annually and all communal fire doors at least quarterly. This applies to buildings above 11 metres in height. For other premises, fire doors remain covered by the general duty under Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This article requires that all fire safety measures, including fire doors, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are kept in efficient working order and in good repair.

The assessment of fire doors must be carried out by a competent person. Guidance on timber fire door assemblies is often found in BS 8214, while Approved Document B of the Building Regulations provides further guidance against which much of this work is normally carried out. It is important to note that this page provides general information and is not specific advice for your building. The enforcement of fire safety regulations in Old Market rests with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, as appropriate to the type of premises.

Questions duty holders ask

7 answers

How often must fire doors be checked?

For residential buildings above 11 metres, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually and communal fire doors quarterly. For other types of premises, there isn't a prescribed frequency, but fire doors must be maintained in efficient working order under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A competent person will advise on an appropriate inspection schedule based on the building's specific risks and usage.

Does the 11-metre rule apply to my building?

The 11-metre rule, as introduced by the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, specifically applies to residential buildings with two or more domestic premises that are 11 metres or more in height. This rule dictates the frequency of fire door checks. If your building does not meet these criteria, your fire doors are still covered by the general maintenance duties of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, requiring them to be kept in good repair.

What makes a fire door fail an inspection?

A fire door can fail an inspection for various reasons, including excessive gaps around the door leaf, damaged seals (intumescent and smoke), missing or incorrect signage, non-compliant hinges or closers, or general damage to the door leaf or frame. Any defect that could compromise the door's ability to resist the passage of fire and smoke for its specified period would lead to a failure.

Can a general joiner carry this out?

Fire door inspections should be carried out by a competent person with specific knowledge and experience in fire door construction, installation, and maintenance. While a general joiner may be skilled in carpentry, they may not possess the specialised understanding of fire safety regulations, British Standards, and the critical components of a fire door assembly required for a compliant inspection. The local firm we put you in touch with will provide a competent assessor.

Do I get a certificate or a report?

Following a fire door inspection, the fire safety firm will typically provide a detailed report. This report will outline the condition of each fire door inspected, identify any defects, and recommend remedial actions. It serves as documentary evidence that you, as the duty holder, have fulfilled your legal obligations to have your fire doors checked by a competent person.

How much does a fire door inspection cost?

The cost of a fire door inspection can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of your building in Old Market. Factors such as the number of doors, whether flat entrance doors are included, and the building's height all influence the price. A fire door inspection in Old Market typically costs £220 to £720 per survey. The exact quote will be provided by the local firm we connect you with.

How quickly can an inspection be arranged?

The speed at which an inspection can be arranged depends on the availability of the local fire safety firm we connect you with. Once you submit your enquiry, we aim to pass your details to a suitable firm promptly. They will then contact you directly to discuss their current lead times and schedule the inspection at your convenience. Bristol Fire Risk Assessment does not control the firm's schedule.

Sources and review

Checked against Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 reg.10, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 art.17, BS 8214 and Approved Document B on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@bristolfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.

Fire Door Inspection nearby

Other duties at the same premises

This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.