Fire door surveys. The Good. The Bad. The Ugly
Fire door surveys - The Good. The Bad. The UGLY

Fire doors are essential components of any building's fire safety system. They are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, and to provide a safe escape route for occupants. However, not all fire doors are created equal. Some may be poorly installed, damaged, or non-compliant with the current standards and regulations. That's why it's important to have a regular fire door survey conducted by a qualified and experienced professional.
A fire door survey is a comprehensive inspection of all the fire doors in a building, including their frames, hardware, seals, signage, and closing devices. The surveyor will check the condition and functionality of each fire door, and identify any defects or issues that may compromise their performance. The surveyor will also provide a detailed report with recommendations for repairs or replacements or confirm that the doors are in good order.
We have recently been reviewing a lot of fire door surveys prepared by others in the industry, and to be honest the quality of some of these reports is shocking, providing the end user with very little information regarding the compliance of doors - we have even seen some reports state that have undertaken certain checks on fire doors, which have clearly not been done.
What is in a Good Fire Door Survey?
In our opinion a good fire door survey should cover the following aspects:
- Basic door information
- Door reference
- Fire rating
- Door location including floor number
- Door dimensions
- Material type
- Confirmation of any plug or label on the door
- The condition and operation of each fire door, including hinges, locks, latches, handles, closers, intumescent strips, smoke seals, glazing, and signage
- The alignment and fit of each fire door within its frame
- The gaps between the fire door and its frame, and between the frame and the wall
- The presence and condition of any fire-stopping materials around the fire door
- The compliance of each fire door with the relevant codes and standards, such as BS 476, BS EN 1634, BS 8214, and Approved Document B
- The identification of any defects or non-conformities that need to be rectified
- The provision of a clear and concise report with photographic evidence and recommendations
How Long Should a Fire Door Survey Take?
The duration of a fire door survey depends on several factors, such as:
- The size and complexity of the building
- The number and type of fire doors in the building
- The accessibility and availability of the fire doors
As a general rule of thumb, a fire door survey can take anywhere from 15 minutes plus. However, this may vary depending on the specific circumstances and requirements of each project. We have recently seen a number of fire door surveyors averaging 2/3mins a door, which is not enough time to accurately survey and record the door information.
Why Choose RWB Fire Door Solutions for Your Fire Door Survey?
At RWB Fire Door Solutions, we have over 8 years of experience in providing high-quality fire door surveys for a wide range of clients across various sectors. We have a team of qualified and accredited fire door surveyors who are trained to carry out thorough and accurate inspections. We also have a dedicated customer service team who will ensure that you receive a prompt and professional service from start to finish.
We offer competitive pricing and flexible scheduling to suit your needs and budget. We also provide comprehensive reports with clear recommendations and certificates of compliance that will help you comply with your legal obligations and ensure the safety of your premises and occupants.
If you are looking for a reliable and reputable fire door survey provider, look no further than RWB Fire Door Solutions. Contact us today to get a free quote or to book your fire door survey.