Fire Safety Guidance on Flat Entrance Doors – Explained
There’s been a lot of confusion recently about the
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Some leaseholders were told they must replace their flat entrance doors if they aren’t made to today’s standards.
The Government has now made it clear: that isn’t the case.
What The Law Actually Says
The Regulations were brought in after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which highlighted how important it is that flat entrance doors close by themselves properly.
They are not about making every older door match today’s new-build standards.
Has The Law Changed?
No. The fire safety rules for flat entrance doors are the same as they’ve been since 2005:
- A door should give enough protection for people to escape safely if there’s a fire.
- If your door met the fire safety rules when the block was built (or when the door was fitted) and it’s still in good condition, it’s usually still fine.
What about Strips, Seals and Certificates?
This is where a lot of the confusion has been. Many people thought doors without intumescent strips, smoke seals or certification labels had to be replaced.
The new guidance clears this up:
- Just because your door doesn’t have these, it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.
- The important thing is that, if your door
does have them, they aren’t damaged.
Two Types of Checks
There are two different types of door checks you’ll hear about:
- Fire risk assessments – a proper review of the whole building, where the fire resistance of doors is looked at.
- Simple door checks – the quick checks required by the Fire Safety Regulations, mainly making sure doors are in good working order and self-close properly.
The Bottom Line
The updated guidance is clear:
- Leaseholders don’t need to rip out older flat entrance doors just because they don’t look like the newest ones.
- As long as the door is in good condition, closes by itself, and provides the level of protection it was designed to, it’s likely still doing its job.
This is about practical safety, not creating extra costs.
Quick Checklist: Is Your Flat Entrance Door Safe?
When you’re checking your door, look out for these three things:
✅
Does it close by itself? – Let it go from a few inches open. It should shut firmly without sticking.
✅
Is it in good condition? – No big cracks, damage, or gaps around the frame.
✅
Are any strips or seals damaged? – If your door has them, make sure they’re not missing or broken.
If your door passes these simple checks, it’s likely doing its job.
Ready to Make Sure your Fire Doors are Compliant?
We can inspect, review, or advise on your flat entrance doors so you know exactly where you stand - with clear, practical guidance that keeps your building safe and compliant.
📩 Email
Adam Boulton at
help@aandscompliance.co.uk
📞 Or call
01244 543465 to book your survey today.
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