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Compliance Guidance

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Door Inspections

Plain-English guidance for duty holders and responsible persons on how fire door management and fire door inspections may support fire safety records in England and Wales.

  • General fire safety guidance
  • Responsible Person context
  • Fire door inspection records
  • Reports where recorded
  • London property support
  • Not legal advice
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Important: General Guidance, Not Legal Advice

This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Fire safety duties depend on the property type, occupancy, risk profile, management arrangements and applicable legislation. Duty holders should seek competent fire safety advice where needed.

Overview

What Is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

The Fire Safety Order is a key piece of fire safety law in England and Wales.

In plain terms, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (often called the Fire Safety Order or RRO) places duties on the Responsible Person to manage fire safety risks and take reasonable steps to keep people safe from fire.

It applies to many non-domestic premises and to relevant parts of residential buildings where fire safety duties arise. Fire doors are commonly part of a building's fire safety arrangements — including compartmentation and protected escape routes — but this page does not provide legal interpretations of the Order.

For England-specific regulations that may also affect certain residential buildings, see our Fire Safety (England) Regulations guidance. For wider compliance topics, visit the compliance hub.

Duty Holders

Who Has Duties Under the Fire Safety Order?

Responsibility depends on who has control of the premises or workplace — the exact position varies by building and management arrangements.

Fire Doors

Why Fire Doors Matter Under Fire Safety Duties

Fire doors are part of wider fire safety management — not a standalone compliance checkbox.

  • Fire doors help compartmentalise fire and smoke
  • They support protected escape routes
  • Damaged, altered or poorly maintained doors may reduce protection
  • Doors should be checked, maintained and recorded as part of fire safety management
  • Visible defects may be identified through structured inspection

Inspection Records

How Fire Door Inspections May Support Fire Safety Management

Inspections help identify visible defects and create records — they do not replace a fire risk assessment or guarantee legal compliance.

Learn about our fire door inspections, reports and compliance support for practical next steps after findings are recorded.

  • Identify visible defects

    Inspections can record door leaf, frame, seals, closers and hardware condition where observed during agreed scope.

  • Create a record of observed condition

    Reports document what was checked and what was observed at the time of inspection, subject to access on the day.

  • Support decision-making

    Defect notes and priority guidance may help duty holders plan remedial works and contractor instructions.

  • Do not replace a fire risk assessment

    Fire door inspections focus on visible door condition. Wider fire safety management should be reviewed through appropriate assessments and advice.

  • Do not guarantee legal compliance

    Inspection reports document observations. They do not prove or guarantee statutory compliance.

  • Part of broader fire safety management

    Records, maintenance, remedial works and periodic review work together alongside competent fire safety oversight.

Documentation

What Records Should Be Kept

Record-keeping expectations depend on the premises and applicable duties — the list below reflects common fire safety management practice.

  • Fire door inspection reports
  • Fire risk assessments
  • Remedial works records
  • Maintenance logs
  • Re-inspection records
  • Contractor or competent person documentation
  • Communications with managing agents, landlords or duty holders
  • Door schedules and defect tracking where maintained

Related Guidance

Relationship With Other Regulations and Guidance

Fire safety duties may involve several guidance topics alongside the Fire Safety Order.

Next Steps

Practical Next Steps for Duty Holders

A proportionate approach to fire door management alongside wider fire safety arrangements.

  1. 01

    Review fire door condition

    Consider current door use, previous defects, maintenance history and any fire risk assessment actions relating to fire doors.

  2. 02

    Arrange inspection where appropriate

    Book a structured fire door inspection where agreed scope, access and reporting requirements are confirmed in advance.

  3. 03

    Record findings

    Keep inspection reports, door schedules and defect notes as part of internal fire safety documentation.

  4. 04

    Prioritise defects

    Use report guidance to plan remedial works, contractor briefs and follow-up actions with competent persons where needed.

  5. 05

    Complete remedial works where needed

    Address recorded defects through suitable repair, replacement or further specialist assessment as appropriate.

  6. 06

    Keep evidence and review periodically

    Maintain remedial records, re-inspection notes where applicable and review arrangements as building use or condition changes.

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Fire Door Inspections

Need Fire Door Inspection Records for Your Premises?

Structured fire door inspections and reports can help duty holders record visible condition, support remedial planning and maintain clearer documentation — without guaranteeing legal compliance.

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FAQ

Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order Questions

General answers about the Fire Safety Order, responsible persons, inspections and record keeping.

Does the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order mention fire doors?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places general duties on the Responsible Person to reduce fire risks and maintain fire safety measures. Fire doors are commonly part of a building’s fire safety arrangements, but this page does not provide legal interpretations. Duty holders should confirm applicable duties for their premises and seek competent advice where required.
Who is the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order?
The Responsible Person is typically the person who has control of the premises or workplace, which may include employers, building owners, landlords or managing agents depending on the property and management structure. The exact position depends on the building and occupancy. See our responsible person duties page for general guidance.
Is a fire door inspection the same as a fire risk assessment?
No. A fire risk assessment reviews wider fire hazards and risk control measures for the premises. A fire door inspection focuses on visible condition of fire door sets within agreed scope. Inspections do not replace a fire risk assessment or competent fire safety advice.
Can a fire door inspection prove compliance?
No. Inspection reports document what was observed during an inspection at a point in time. They do not prove or guarantee statutory compliance and do not constitute legal advice. Legal and regulatory responsibilities remain with the relevant responsible person or duty holder.
What records should be kept after a fire door inspection?
Duty holders may keep inspection reports, door schedules, defect notes, remedial works records, maintenance logs and re-inspection records as part of broader fire safety documentation. Exact record-keeping expectations depend on the premises and applicable duties.
How often should fire doors be inspected under fire safety duties?
There is no single fixed interval in general guidance that applies to every building. Frequency depends on building type, use, risk profile, door numbers, access and management arrangements. See our inspection frequency guidance for practical factors.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This page provides general guidance on how the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 may relate to fire door management and inspection records. Seek advice from a competent fire safety professional or relevant authority for legal and regulatory questions.
Can you provide fire door inspections in London?
We provide fire door inspections, surveys and reports for London properties and portfolios, subject to appointment availability, access arrangements and agreed inspection scope. Contact us or request a quote to discuss requirements.

Related Information

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