From 2029, all UK fire doorsets must comply with the European fire-resistance test method EN 1634, replacing the British Standard BS 476 Part 22.
Why Is This Happening?
The change to Fire Door Testing Standards aligns the UK with European testing methods. EN 1634 is more rigorous and better reflects real-life performance.
For facilities professionals, asset managers and housing providers, this means:
- Reassessing current door stock
- Choosing suppliers who understand the new standards
- Ensuring long-term compliance beyond 2029.
All fire doors in your buildings, including those with self-closing devices, should be regularly inspected, with a minimum frequency of every six months and more frequently in high-traffic areas or newly installed doors.
Why are fire door inspections important?
Safety: Fire doors are a critical component of a building’s fire safety system, and regular inspections ensure they function correctly to contain fire and smoke.
Legal Compliance: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place a legal duty on responsible persons to maintain fire safety measures, including fire doors.
Preventing Damage: Regular inspections can help identify issues early, such as worn hinges, damaged frames, or faulty self-closing mechanisms, preventing them from failing in a fire.
Protecting Lives: Ensuring that fire doors are in good working order is essential for protecting lives and property in the event of a fire.
How often should fire doors be inspected?
- Minimum: At least every six months.
- Newly installed or in newly occupied buildings: More frequently, potentially monthly, to ensure proper settling and identify any early issues.
- High-traffic areas: More frequent inspections are recommended, potentially weekly or monthly, as these doors are likely to experience more wear and tear.
- Multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 meters in height: Fire doors in communal areas should be checked quarterly, and flat entrance doors should be checked annually.
What should be checked during a fire door inspection?
- Visual inspection: Check for any signs of damage to the door, frame, or hardware.
- Functionality: Ensure the door closes properly and that the self-closing mechanism is working correctly.
- Hardware: Inspect the hinges, closers, and other hardware for signs of wear and tear or damage.
- Seals: Inspect intumescent seals and other fire-resistant seals for damage or deterioration.
- Signage: Ensure that fire doors are clearly marked with the appropriate signage.
What This Means for You
If you manage or maintain buildings, especially in social housing, you’ll need to:
- Plan ahead for replacement or upgrade cycles
- Review your current supply chain
- Ensure that any new fire door installations are future-proofed to meet EN 1634.
How Westbury FM Can Help
Westbury FM is already ahead of the curve.
- BM Trada-Approved: We’re certified under the Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and Maintenance Scheme. That means all our fire doors are installed and maintained to third-party-verified standards.
- In-House Joinery: Our team designs and builds bespoke fire door sets in our own workshop. We don’t rely on third parties, so we can guarantee quality and compliance at every step.
- Self-Delivered Services: From installation to inspection and ongoing maintenance, all services are handled by our own trained engineers.
- Sector Knowledge: We work closely with social housing providers, local government, and the education sector every day. We understand your compliance pressures and help you stay ahead of them.
Arrange a Fire Door Survey & Inspection: All fire doors in your facility, including those with self-closing devices, should be regularly inspected, with a minimum frequency of every six months and more frequently in high-traffic areas or newly installed doors. Following an inspection, we’ll issue a Fire Door Inspection Report Checklist with Action Points and a Proposed Schedule of Works needed to achieve compliance. When installing fire doors, we follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant industry standards. Each third-party certified fire door includes a certificate data sheet and specific installation guidelines. Adhering to these instructions is essential to ensure the installation meets compliance requirements.
Why Act Now?
2029 sounds far off. But the shift to EN 1634 will affect tenders, refurbishment projects, and regulatory checks well before then. Choosing a partner who is ready now will save time, money and risk later.
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