Fire doors play a crucial role in the safety and security of a building and its occupants. As such, regular fire door maintenance is paramount to ensure their optimal functionality. This article provides an in-depth insight into why fire door maintenance is crucial, the regulatory requirements and key aspects to include in your maintenance plan.

Regulatory Requirements for Fire Door Maintenance

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 stipulate that for buildings over 11 metres in height, the responsible person must check fire doors at entrances at least every twelve months. They must also undertake checks of any fire doors in communal areas of the building at least every three months. These checks must include ensuring that the self-closing devices for the doors are working.

The regulations underscore the importance of regular fire door maintenance in ensuring the safety and security of buildings and their occupants.

Who Can Conduct Fire Door Inspections?

Regular fire door checks should be conducted by a qualified person  – these are visual checks, and not a detailed assessment. If any issues are identified from these checks, it could be appropriate to contact a specialist for more detailed inspection. As we design & test all our ranges, we are best placed to advise on maintenance of Gerda fire doorsets.

The Fire Door Inspection Process

Regular inspections are a key part of fire door maintenance. Legislation requires annual inspections and testing of all fire doors. In most cases, the building owner is responsible for carrying out and documenting the inspections.

Inspections involve a thorough examination of the door, frame, hardware and glazing to ensure all components are in proper working order, and check whether maintenance of fire doors is required. The self-closing device should be tested to ensure it completely closes the door when activated from a full-open position. Door clearances should also be measured to ensure they are within allowable limits.

Common Defects Detected during Inspections

Common defects detected during inspections include:

• The failure of the door latch to secure the closed door.
• Damaged or missing door closer.
• Painted over or missing door or frame label.
• An excessive gap between the door and the frame or floor.

All these defects should be corrected as soon as possible to maintain the fire door’s effectiveness.

It should be noted that these faults are less common in Gerda fire doorsets, which are built to work together from the design stage. Qualified Gerda engineers are also more likely to ensure the installation of fire doors is right first time, further minimising the need for maintenance early in your fire doors’ lifespan.

Documenting Inspections and Prioritising Repairs

Upon completion of inspections, a comprehensive report should be prepared. This report should detail each fire door’s condition, any defects detected and the corrective actions required.

Given the likelihood of identifying a significant number of deficiencies, especially during the first annual inspection, managers must prioritise repairs. Some fixes will be easy and inexpensive, while others will not. Therefore, setting appropriate priorities and repair schedules is essential.

Fire Door Maintenance Services

Companies like Gerda Security Products offer annual maintenance services to ensure your fire doors always stay safe and compliant with the regulations. These services include regular inspections, testing and maintenance work to keep your fire doors in good working order.

Regular fire door maintenance with the G-Smart App enables traceability for installation and maintenance. By conducting regular inspections, prioritising repairs and partnering with reliable service providers, you can ensure their fire doors function optimally when needed the most.

To learn more about our annual maintenance service, get in touch with Gerda today.