Fire Door Regulations 2022: What Changed and Your Duties
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced clear, specific duties around fire doors — particularly in taller residential buildings. This guide explains what changed, who it applies to, and the checks you now need to carry out.
In short: From 23 January 2023, responsible persons of residential buildings over 11m must carry out quarterly checks of communal fire doors and annual best-endeavour checks of flat entrance doors, and give residents fire door safety information.
What Changed in 2022?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force on 23 January 2023, implementing recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report. For the first time, they placed explicit, recurring fire door duties on the responsible person — rather than leaving fire doors under the more general “maintain in working order” wording of the Fire Safety Order alone.
These duties form part of a wider set of changes. For the full picture, see our guide on your requirements under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
The Fire Door Duties at a Glance
Buildings over 11m
Quarterly (every 3 months) checks of fire doors in communal areas, plus best-endeavour annual checks of flat entrance doors.
All heights
Provide residents with information on the importance of fire doors to the building’s fire safety, and not to tamper with self-closers.
Ongoing duty
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, all fire doors must still be kept in effective working order at all times.
Who Do the Regulations Apply To?
The specific quarterly and annual fire door checks apply to the responsible person of multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height. In most cases this is the building owner, freeholder or managing agent.
That said, the underlying duty to maintain fire doors applies far more widely — to all non-domestic premises and the common parts of every residential building under the Fire Safety Order, regardless of height.
What a Fire Door Check Should Cover
- The door closes fully onto the latch from any open position, unaided.
- Gaps around the door are consistent and around 3mm (a £1 coin thickness).
- Intumescent and smoke seals are present, intact and undamaged.
- Hinges are firmly fixed with no missing or worn screws.
- There is no visible damage, and the door has not been altered or had unauthorised holes cut into it.
- Certification or labelling is present where it can be seen (top or hinge edge).
For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to inspect a fire door and how to identify a fire door.
Checks Are Not the Same as a Specialist Inspection
The quarterly and annual checks required by the 2022 Regulations are routine condition checks. They do not replace a detailed fire door inspection by a competent person, which your fire risk assessment may recommend — particularly after defects are found or following building works.
Need Help With Fire Door Compliance?
Fyrup provides fire door inspections, surveys and remedial works across London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fire door regulations for 2022?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, in force from 23 January 2023, introduced specific fire door duties for the responsible person of multi-occupied residential buildings. In buildings over 11 metres tall, they must carry out quarterly checks of fire doors in communal areas and make best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually. They must also give residents information on the importance of fire doors.
How often do fire doors need to be checked under the 2022 regulations?
In residential buildings over 11 metres in height, communal fire doors must be checked at least every three months (quarterly), and the responsible person must use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months. These are routine checks of condition and operation, separate from any specialist fire door inspection recommended by a fire risk assessment.
Do the 2022 fire door regulations apply to all buildings?
The specific quarterly and annual fire door check duties apply to multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height. However, the wider duty to maintain fire doors in working order under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises and the common parts of all residential buildings, regardless of height.
What does a fire door check involve?
A routine fire door check looks at whether the door closes fully onto the latch from any position, the condition of seals and hinges, gaps around the door (around 3mm), the presence of certification or labelling where visible, and any damage or alterations. It is a visual and functional check — more detailed defects may need a specialist fire door inspection.
Who is responsible for fire doors in a block of flats?
The responsible person — usually the building owner, freeholder or managing agent — is responsible for fire doors in communal areas and for making best endeavours to check flat entrance doors. Individual leaseholders are generally responsible for maintaining their own flat entrance door, but the responsible person must provide information and access for checks.
Are the 2022 fire door regulations the same as Building Regulations?
No. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 sit under the Fire Safety Order and cover the ongoing management and checking of fire doors in occupied buildings. Building Regulations (Approved Document B) cover the design, specification and installation of fire doors when a building is constructed or altered. Both apply, but at different stages.
Stay Compliant With Confidence
Fyrup carries out fire door inspections and remedial works across London, with clear reports that evidence your compliance under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.