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Compliance Guidance

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Regulation 10

General guidance on Regulation 10 fire door checks, responsible person duties and how inspection records may support fire safety management in England.

  • General fire safety guidance
  • Fire door inspection records
  • Reports and photo evidence where recorded
  • Practical remedial planning support
  • London property coverage
  • Not legal advice
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Important: General Guidance, Not Legal Advice

This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Fire safety duties depend on the property type, occupancy, risk profile, management arrangements and applicable regulations. Responsible persons, duty holders and property teams should confirm their specific obligations and seek competent advice where required.

Overview

How the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 Relate to Fire Door Records

Fire safety management can involve keeping suitable records, identifying defects, planning remedial works and reviewing the condition of fire safety measures — including fire doors in relevant residential buildings.

Fire doors are one part of a wider fire safety strategy. For certain residential buildings in England, Regulation 10 under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 sets checking duties that responsible persons should confirm for their premises. Structured fire door inspections may help property teams record visible issues and support follow-up action where inspections are arranged.

This page offers practical guidance on inspection records and reporting. It does not state that inspections satisfy legal duties or provide legal interpretations of fire safety law. Responsible persons should confirm applicable duties for their premises and seek competent advice where required. For practical examples of visible issues that may be recorded during a survey, see our fire door regulations and inspection defects guide.

Regulation 10

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Regulation 10

How Regulation 10 relates to routine fire door checks, responsible person duties and inspection records in relevant residential buildings in England.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced additional fire safety management requirements for certain residential buildings in England. Regulation 10 is the provision most commonly associated with routine fire door checking duties for responsible persons.

Regulation 10 introduced specific fire door information and checking duties for responsible persons in certain residential buildings in England. These duties relate to communal fire doors and, where relevant, flat entrance doors — not every door in every building type.

In broad terms, responsible persons may need to arrange checks of communal fire doors at regular intervals, use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors where access allows, and keep suitable records of checks and any issues identified. Exact duties depend on the building, its use, management arrangements and applicable guidance.

Our fire door inspection service can help identify visible fire door defects, record findings and prioritise remedial action where inspections are arranged. An inspection report does not remove the responsible person's legal duties or guarantee compliance, but it can support a clearer evidence trail and better maintenance decisions.

Where Regulation 10 may apply (plain-English scope)

Regulation 10 is commonly discussed in the context of multi-occupied residential buildings in England (for example, blocks of flats and buildings with communal areas). Government guidance and industry summaries commonly reference additional fire door checking duties for relevant residential buildings above 11 metres, but responsible persons should check the official guidance and confirm whether duties apply to their specific building where there is uncertainty.

For relevant buildings, checking intervals are commonly referenced as quarterly checks of communal fire doors and annual best-endeavours checks of flat entrance doors where access allows. Your arrangements should be proportionate to the building and documented as part of a wider fire safety management approach.

For wider context on who may hold duties, see our responsible person duties guidance. For blocks and managed residential buildings, see fire door inspections for blocks of flats.

Routine fire door checks — what may be reviewed

Regulation 10 duties focus on checking fire doors in relevant residential buildings. A professional fire door inspection can document visible conditions where doors are accessible. For a practical checklist of issues that may be recorded, see our fire door checklist.

  • Whether communal fire doors close fully and latch
  • Visible damage to door leaves, frames or seals
  • Self-closing devices operating where observed
  • Fire door signage present and legible where relevant
  • Doors not wedged or propped open without approved hold-open devices
  • Flat entrance doors where access is agreed and checks are feasible
  • Door references, locations and access limitations noted on the day
  • Defect notes, priority guidance and photo records where captured

Evidence records, reporting and defect prioritisation

Keeping clear records of checks and defects can help responsible persons, managing agents and landlords plan remedial works and brief contractors. Structured reports may support internal documentation but do not replace statutory duties or competent fire safety advice.

Where inspections are arranged, our reporting can help prioritise visible defects and support follow-up through fire door compliance support. For proportionate inspection intervals, see our fire door inspection frequency guidance.

Use our inspection readiness checker to review visible concerns before booking, or request a quote for a structured inspection.

Inspection Records

Why Fire Door Inspection Records Matter

Inspection records can help property teams understand what was checked, what was observed, what access limitations existed and what follow-up actions may be needed.

Clear reports can support better contractor instructions, remedial planning and internal documentation. They do not guarantee compliance or replace a fire risk assessment.

Fire door inspections →Fire door reports →Sample report →

  • Record visible door condition

    Inspections can document door leaf, frame and hardware condition where observed during the agreed scope.

  • Identify apparent defects

    Visible defects such as seal damage, closer faults or hardware issues may be noted where accessible on site.

  • Note access limitations

    Reports may document where doors or areas could not be accessed, helping property teams plan follow-up visits.

  • Support contractor instructions

    Defect notes and door references may help when briefing maintenance teams or specialist contractors.

  • Maintain internal documentation

    Door schedules and inspection dates can support clearer documentation across single sites or portfolios.

  • Track recurring issues

    Portfolio teams may use inspection records to identify patterns across blocks, estates or managed portfolios.

  • Prioritise remedial planning

    Reports may help property teams plan maintenance, replacement or further specialist assessment.

  • Support portfolio oversight

    Structured records can support oversight across multiple properties, subject to agreed scope and access.

Inspection Scope

Fire Door Items Commonly Reviewed During Inspections

Depending on agreed scope, structured fire door inspection reports may document visible condition, defects and supporting evidence where recorded on site.

  • Door leaf condition
  • Frame condition
  • Door gaps and alignment
  • Intumescent and smoke seals
  • Hinges and fixings
  • Self-closing devices
  • Locks, latches and ironmongery
  • Glazing and vision panels
  • Fire door signage
  • Fire stopping observations
  • Door reference or location
  • Defect notes
  • Priority guidance
  • Photos where recorded
  • Access limitations
  • Report date and inspection scope

Common Issues

Common Compliance-Related Issues

These are examples of visible issues that may be recorded during a fire door inspection, depending on the agreed scope and access.

  • Excessive gap around a fire door

    Issue recorded where observed

    Excessive gaps

    Gap issues may be recorded where observed and can affect how a door set performs in use. Documented observations can support remedial planning.

  • Missing or damaged fire door seal

    Issue recorded where observed

    Damaged or missing seals

    Seal defects can affect smoke and fire resistance where observed. Recorded findings may help property teams plan maintenance or replacement.

  • Faulty self-closing device on a fire door

    Issue recorded where observed

    Faulty self-closing devices

    Self-closing failures are frequently documented where doors may not close fully after use across corridors and escape routes.

  • Damaged fire door frame

    Issue recorded where observed

    Damaged frames

    Frame condition observations can be recorded to support maintenance decisions and contractor follow-up where damage is visible.

  • Fire stopping concern around a fire door

    Issue recorded where observed

    Fire stopping concerns

    Observations around door frames and surrounding construction may be documented where visible during inspection.

  • Poor or missing fire door signage

    Issue recorded where observed

    Poor or missing signage

    Signage observations may be included where relevant to door identification, operation and escape route clarity.

  • Fire door wedged open

    Issue recorded where observed

    Doors wedged open

    Doors held open without approved hold-open devices are commonly recorded where observed on site.

  • Unauthorised fire door alteration

    Issue recorded where observed

    Unauthorised alterations

    Alterations to door sets or hardware may be noted where they could affect performance or maintenance history.

  • Incomplete fire door inspection records

    Issue recorded where observed

    Incomplete records

    Structured inspection reports can help property teams maintain clearer documentation of door condition and observed findings.

Who This Helps

Who Should Understand Fire Door Inspection Records?

This guidance is designed for property teams, duty holders and portfolio owners who manage fire door inspection records and remedial planning.

Sector guidance

Process

A Practical Fire Door Record Process

A structured approach from scope confirmation to report delivery and follow-up planning.

Inspection reports should be reviewed alongside wider fire safety arrangements, risk assessments and competent advice where required.

  1. 01

    Confirm property type and inspection scope

    Property type, door numbers, areas to include and reporting requirements are confirmed before booking.

  2. 02

    Agree access arrangements

    Access arrangements, resident notification where applicable and on-site coordination are agreed with the property team.

  3. 03

    Inspect visible fire door items where accessible

    Fire door sets are assessed on site against agreed scope where access is available on the day.

  4. 04

    Record observations and evidence where included

    Condition observations, defects and photographic evidence are recorded where captured during inspection.

  5. 05

    Issue a report with defect notes and priorities

    A structured report is issued with door schedule, observations and remedial priority guidance where applicable.

  6. 06

    Use the report to plan follow-up action

    Reports can support internal records and remedial planning. Follow-up actions should be reviewed by the appropriate competent person or duty holder.

Related Guidance

Related Fire Door Compliance Guidance

Explore further compliance topics on responsible person duties, checklists and inspection frequency.

Inspection Records

Need Fire Door Inspection Records for Your Property?

If you manage a London property or portfolio, structured fire door inspections and reports can help record visible issues, support remedial planning and maintain clearer documentation.

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FAQ

Regulation 10 and Fire Door Check Questions

Clear answers to common questions about the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Regulation 10, routine fire door checks and responsible person duties.

What is Regulation 10 under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022?
Regulation 10 is a provision within the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 that sets fire door checking and information duties for responsible persons in certain residential buildings in England. It is commonly associated with routine checks of communal fire doors and, where relevant, flat entrance doors. This page provides general guidance only and does not interpret the law for a specific building.
Who is the responsible person for fire door checks?
The responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of the premises under applicable fire safety law. In blocks of flats and managed residential buildings, this may be a landlord, building owner, managing agent or other duty holder depending on the property and management structure. Responsible persons should confirm who holds duties for their building and seek competent advice where required.
How often should fire doors be checked under Regulation 10?
Regulation 10 sets checking intervals for relevant buildings in England, including more frequent checks for communal fire doors and best-endeavour annual checks for flat entrance doors where access allows. Exact intervals and scope depend on the building and applicable duties. Professional inspection frequency may also depend on risk, use, previous defects and management arrangements. See our inspection frequency guidance for practical factors.
What should be recorded during routine fire door checks?
Records may include which doors were checked, the date of check, visible defects observed, access limitations, and any follow-up actions needed. Structured inspection reports can include door references, defect notes, priority guidance and photographic evidence where captured. Records support internal documentation but do not by themselves prove statutory compliance.
Does a fire door inspection guarantee compliance?
No. A fire door inspection report documents visible conditions at the time of visit within the agreed scope. It does not guarantee statutory compliance, does not remove the responsible person's legal duties, and does not constitute legal advice. Legal and regulatory responsibilities remain with the relevant responsible person or duty holder.
Can inspections support evidence records for managing agents or landlords?
Yes. Where inspections are arranged, structured reports can support internal records, defect tracking and remedial planning for landlords, managing agents and property teams. Reports may help brief contractors and plan follow-up visits, subject to agreed scope and access. They supplement — but do not replace — the responsible person's wider fire safety duties.
Can inspections replace a fire risk assessment?
No. Fire door inspections and reports do not replace a fire risk assessment or competent fire safety advice. Inspections document visible door condition where accessible. Wider fire safety management should be reviewed by the appropriate competent person or duty holder.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This page provides general guidance on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Regulation 10 and how fire door inspection records may support fire safety management. It does not constitute legal advice. Seek advice from a competent fire safety professional or relevant authority for regulatory questions.

Further Reading

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