In 2026, Responsible Persons face increasing scrutiny – not just over whether fire doors are present, but whether they’re suitable, maintained, and part of a working evacuation plan. A fire door that’s wrong for the environment or poorly maintained puts lives at risk. This blog explains what’s changed, what’s required, and why assumptions around fire doors still lead to serious compliance failures.
Choosing Fire Doors That Fit the Risk, Not Just the Frame
Different buildings face different risks. A care home, warehouse, or office each requires fire doors designed for their specific use, occupancy, and evacuation strategy. For example:
- Residential flats and HMOs require doors that support both compartmentation and safe escape, with self-closing devices that can withstand high use.
- Care homes and supported living need hardware that supports assisted evacuation, sometimes with hold-open devices linked to alarms.
- Warehouses and industrial units may need enhanced fire resistance due to fuel loads and long travel distances.
- Offices and commercial buildings demand a balance between function, aesthetics, and performance, but still require full compliance.
The only reliable way to determine the right fire doors is through a proper fire risk assessment. PB Safety includes door suitability in all BAFE SP205-certified assessments.
What the Latest Fire Regulations Mean for You
Following Grenfell, fire door compliance has been reshaped by key changes:
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require quarterly checks of fire doors in common areas and annual checks on flat entrance doors in residential buildings over 11 metres.
- Amendments to the Fire Safety Order 2005 place clearer duties on Responsible Persons to maintain fire safety systems, which include fire doors.
- Approved Document B (updated March 2025), which provides official fire safety guidance under the Building Regulations, now places stronger emphasis on correct fire door selection, installation and integration into the building’s evacuation strategy.
Despite this, issues persist. According to the State of Fire Door Competence 2026 report:
- 87% of professionals witness incompetent fire door work
- 70% say competence is rarely or never discussed on site
These figures reinforce the need for certified, competent providers – not generic maintenance staff.
Fire Door Inspection and Maintenance: The Missing Link
Even a perfectly specified fire door will fail if it’s not maintained. Poorly adjusted closers, missing seals, and physical damage are among the most common issues we see during inspections. These faults compromise compartmentation and, in a real fire, could lead to rapid smoke and fire spread or blocked escape routes.
PB Safety delivers certified inspections, photographic evidence, and action plans – along with ongoing support to manage remedial works and records.
Fire Doors and PEEPs Must Work Together
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are essential in buildings where occupants may need help escaping in a fire. However, many are developed without considering the building’s fire compartmentation strategy, which can lead to critical failings during an evacuation.
For example:
- Can staff support someone through a heavy fire door in a wheelchair?
- Are there hold-open devices connected to the fire alarm?
- Do refuge points have accessible routes that don’t rely on doors that may lock automatically?
PB Safety fire consultants assess fire door layout alongside evacuation plans to ensure safe, workable solutions for everyone.
Four Fire Door Myths Putting Lives and Legal Duties at Risk
Despite progress, these myths are still dangerously common:
- “If it swings shut, it’s working.”
Not if it doesn’t close fully, consistently, or within tolerances.
- “We’re not a high-rise, so it doesn’t apply to us.”
All buildings must comply with the Fire Safety Order.
- “We inspected them last year.”
Inspections must now be regular and documented.
- “Our caretaker checks them during cleaning.”
Unless trained and competent, this doesn’t meet legal requirements.
These myths continue to create dangerous gaps in compliance. Fire door safety depends on facts, not assumptions.
How PB Safety Can Help
Fire door compliance isn’t a one-off job. PB Safety offers:
- BAFE-certified fire risk assessments
- Fire door inspections and reporting
- Maintenance planning and support
- PEEP development
- Staff fire door awareness training
With the right systems in place, fire doors protect lives. Without them, they’re just timber and hinges.
Take Action on Fire Door Safety Today
Contact us today on 01234 965225 or email info@pbsafety.org to book your fire safety consultation. Let’s make fire door compliance simple, effective and accountable.