In England, in a building with two or more flats and a top storey over 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least every three months. The responsible person must also use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months, and keep a record of the steps taken where access is not given.
The legal requirement
Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 applies to multi-occupied residential buildings. Where the top storey is over 11 metres, the responsible person must:
- check fire doors in communal areas at least every three months
- use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months
- keep records of the steps taken to check flat entrance doors, including attempts where access was not given
- make sure the checks include the self-closing devices
These duties apply to all buildings over 11 metres, including those over 18 metres.
Every block, whatever its height
In any building with two or more flats, the responsible person must give residents information about the importance of fire doors, including keeping them shut when not in use and not tampering with self-closers.
Routine checks and detailed surveys
The routine checks are visual and can be carried out by trained staff. They are different from a detailed fire door survey by a qualified inspector, which looks closely at gaps, seals, hardware, glazing and certification. A detailed survey gives you a reliable baseline, so the routine checks can focus on spotting damage and change.
This answer is general guidance on the law in England and is not a substitute for advice on your specific premises.