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Carman Contracting’s guide to fire door safety: Why expertise matters

When it comes to fire safety in public, commercial, and larger residential buildings, fire doors are a vital line of defence. Greg Watts, Carman Contracting’s fire protection specialist, explains how understanding fire door regulations and investing in quality installation and maintenance can make the difference between life and death.

Understanding UK fire door regulations

Compliance with fire door regulations is governed by several key pieces of legislation and guidance relevant to different types of buildings, with the main one being the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO).

This legal framework applies to all non-domestic buildings and the communal areas of multi-occupied residential properties. The FSO places a legal duty on the ‘Responsible Person’ (typically the building owners, employer or managing agent) to ensure that fire risk is assessed and safety measures, including fire doors, are managed and maintained.

It’s also essential to remember that the Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced greater fire safety measures for higher-risk residential buildings.

At Carman Contracting, we follow all the recommended guidelines for our fire door installation and maintenance contracts and are happy to provide further details on request.

Why are fire doors essential?

Fire doors do more than just divide rooms. They are engineered safety systems designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading. By compartmentalising the building, fire doors prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely and helping to limit property damage.

Fire doors also provide critical protection for escape routes. They give essential time for people to evacuate safely and for emergency services to access the building.

A properly functioning fire door can hold back fire and smoke for 30, 60 or even 120 minutes, depending on its rating. During this time, lives are saved, emergency services can respond, and the fire’s impact is minimised.

The importance of competent fire door installation

A certified fire door is only as good as its installation. Poor installation is one of the most common causes of fire door failure. That’s why it’s essential to use qualified companies who understand the regulatory requirements and install in line with manufacturer specifications and industry best practice.

A competent company will ensure the door closes correctly and fits snugly within its frame, all components are compatible, intumescent and smoke seals are correctly specified and installed, and compliance documentation is accurate and up to date.

Ongoing maintenance with 6-monthly inspections

Fire doors are not a 'fit-and-forget' solution. Over time, wear and tear can affect performance. Fire door inspections should be carried out at least every six months. For doors in high-traffic or high-risk areas (like those in communal corridors, hospitals or care homes), more frequent checks may be needed.

Inspections should cover everything from the condition of the door and frame to the operation of self-closing devices, the condition of seals, door gaps and the security of all fixings.  If any of these are defective, then they must be repaired or replaced by competent professionals.

Regular maintenance helps spot issues early, before they become significant safety risks.

The benefits of a complete service partner

Choosing a single company, like Carman Contracting, for your fire door surveys, installation, inspections, and ongoing maintenance, makes compliance easier to manage and provides clear accountability. It can also save you time and be more cost-effective than managing multiple contractors.

Our fire division works across public sector, commercial, healthcare and residential environments, many of which are live and occupied. We’re used to working around operational needs, minimising disruption while delivering work to the highest, safest standards.