Fire doors are a critical part of building safety, and in recent years, UK legislation has tightened around their specification, installation, and maintenance. Whether you’re a contractor, building manager, school, care provider or landlord, understanding your legal responsibilities around fire doors is more important than ever.

At Preston Plywood, we supply certified BM TRADA Q-Mark fire doors and work closely with clients to ensure full compliance — but we also believe in helping you understand the “why” behind the regulations.

What Is a Fire Door?

A fire door is a specially designed door that prevents the spread of fire, giving people vital time to escape and protecting property and lives. They are made with fire-resistant materials and tested to rigorous standards.

Key Fire Door Legislation in the UK

Here’s a breakdown of the key laws and regulations that currently govern fire doors in the UK:

1. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO)

This is the core legislation for most non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places a legal responsibility on the Responsible Person (usually the employer, building owner, or facilities manager) to ensure fire safety, which includes:

• Ensuring fire doors are correctly installed

• Keeping fire doors well maintained and not wedged open

• Making sure fire doors meet the correct fire resistance rating (e.g., FD30 or FD60)

2. Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 – Enforced from January 2023

Following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, new legal duties came into effect for multi-occupied residential buildings. Key fire door-related requirements include:

• Quarterly checks on communal fire doors

• Annual checks on flat entrance doors in buildings over 11 metres

• All checks must be documented and repairs made promptly

• Residents should receive information on the importance of fire doors

This applies to landlords, housing providers, and managing agents of residential buildings.

3. BS 8214: 2016 – Code of Practice

This British Standard provides best-practice guidance for the installation, maintenance, and inspection of fire doors. While not a legal requirement, following BS 8214 can demonstrate due diligence and ensure your doors perform as intended in the event of a fire.

Why Certification Matters

It’s not enough for a door to just “look” like a fire door. Under UK regulations, certified fire doors must be tested and proven to perform to their rating. For example:

• FD30 means the door can resist fire for 30 minutes

• Fire doors must be supplied with identification plugs and installation instructions

At Preston Plywood, we supply BM TRADA Q-Mark certified fire doors, giving you peace of mind that your fire doors meet the highest standards for safety and legal compliance.

Who’s Responsible for Fire Door Compliance?

• Commercial Buildings: The employer or business owner

• Schools/Nurseries: The headteacher, governing body, or facilities manager

• Landlords/Housing Associations: The building manager or appointed Responsible Person

• Public Buildings: The duty holder, facilities manager, or local authority

These individuals are legally responsible for ensuring fire doors are installed, maintained, and inspected properly.

Common Mistakes That Can Lead to Non-Compliance

❌ Installing fire doors incorrectly

❌ Using non-certified hardware (hinges, closers, handles)

❌ Failing to regularly inspect or maintain doors

❌ Removing or damaging intumescent strips

❌ Wedging fire doors open

Even the best fire door will fail if it’s not installed or maintained correctly.

How We Can Help

At Preston Plywood, we offer:

✅ Certified BM TRADA fire doorsets

✅ Expert advice on specification and installation

✅ Quick supply of standard or bespoke fire-rated solutions

✅ Ongoing support to help you stay compliant

Need Help Staying Fire Door Compliant?

Let’s talk. Whether you need one door or one hundred, we’re here to help you meet regulations and protect what matters most. 

Contact our team today or call us on 01772 561656 for advice or a quote.