How to Make Sure Fire Doors Pass Inspection at Project Handover

Fire door defects found close to handover create snagging while trades are leaving site and records are being assembled. A door can look properly installed yet still fail because of an unsuitable closer, damaged or missing seals, excessive gaps or hardware that doesn't match its specification. Finding problems while there is still time lets you investigate causes and arrange remedial work before formal inspection.

Bring together the fire door schedule, drawings, product data and any installation records. Each doorset should be identifiable so the installed assembly can be checked against the specification for that opening. Different locations may require different ratings (for example FD30 versus FD30S), so confirm the required rating and whether smoke seals are specified. Where records don't match the installed doors, decide whether the assembly meets the specified performance and arrange an inspection or remedial plan.

Treat the door and frame as one assembly

The performance of a fire doorset depends on the leaf and the surrounding components: frame, hinges, closer, latch, seals, glazing and other hardware. Inspect the leaf and frame for warping, splitting, impact damage or movement. Check hinges and fixings, and inspect glazed panels for damage and compliance with the specification. If hardware has been substituted late in the build, record the change and check the replacement against the doorset certification and product information rather than assuming equivalence.

Gaps are easy to miss by eye. Measure the top, sides and threshold gap against the tolerances given for that specific doorset and its certification. Do not apply one measurement to every door on the project. Check intumescent strips and smoke seals for continuity and damage, and look for paint build-up that might prevent proper operation. The underdoor gap should also be checked where smoke control is part of the specification.

Inspect frame perimeter and fire stopping

Keep fire safety information organised during the build so handover is not about reconstructing records. Record substitutions and faults as you find them. Where uncertainty exists over compliance, arrange a fire safety inspection to assess installed doorsets and identify visible installation faults while remedial work can still be scheduled.