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BLOCK MANAGEMENT GUIDE
Fire door compliance
Why fire doors matter, what the law requires and the best way to put defects right
Fire doors play a critical role in keeping residents safe. When correctly installed and maintained, they slow the spread of fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving people vital time to evacuate.
WHO IT IS FORResponsible Persons and leaseholders |
APPLIES TOFlat entrance and communal fire doors |
01
Why fire doors are so important
Fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving residents vital time to evacuate.
Even minor defects can cause a fire door to fail. A door that does not close properly, has excessive gaps or has been altered may offer little or no protection in a fire.
02
Legal background
Fire safety law has been strengthened in recent years, including:
- Fire Safety Act 2021
- Building Safety Act 2022
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
These laws make it clear that fire doors to flats and communal areas must be safe and compliant. Fire risk assessments must specifically consider the condition and performance of fire doors, and action must be taken where deficiencies are identified.
03
If fire doors are found to be non-compliant
Fire door inspections will identify doors within the building that do not meet current fire safety standards.
Many leases state that the flat entrance door is the individual leaseholder’s responsibility. However, fire safety legislation places duties on the building’s Responsible Person to ensure that fire risks are identified and appropriately managed.
WHY THIS MATTERS
If known fire safety risks are not addressed, the Responsible Person may be legally liable, regardless of lease wording.
04
Best practice approach
To manage fire safety effectively and fairly, best practice is to:
- Address fire door compliance collectively as a block
- Ensure all doors meet the required standard at the same time
- Reduce delays caused by individual arrangements
- Achieve cost savings through bulk works
- Ensure consistent levels of safety throughout the building
A COLLECTIVE APPROACH
Widely recognised as the most efficient and effective way to achieve compliance while minimising disruption to residents.
MORE BLOCK MANAGEMENT GUIDES
Explore our other guides
FOR FREEHOLDERS, RMC AND RTM DIRECTORS
Building compliance guide
What the law requires of the people responsible for a building, and how professional block management reduces your personal exposure.
FOR RESPONSIBLE PERSONS AND RESIDENTS
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
What a PEEP is, which buildings now need evacuation planning, and how Oakfield manages the process on behalf of the Responsible Person.
FOR RESIDENTS OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
Building Safety Cases: what you need to know
What a Building Safety Case is, why every high-rise building needs one, what it costs and how Oakfield coordinates the process.
SPEAK TO OAKFIELD BLOCK MANAGEMENT
Talk to us about fire doors in your building
If you have questions about a fire door inspection or the works needed in your building, our Block Management team is happy to help.
HEAD OFFICE4 Hayland Industrial Park |
GET IN TOUCH01424 854814OPENING HOURSMonday to Friday |