What is Fire doors?
Last verified 31 October 2026
Fire doors are self-closing doors that hold back fire and smoke in a building. Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 sets duties on the responsible person for fire doors in a residential building with two or more sets of domestic premises.
Why it matters to landlords
The duty falls on the responsible person for the building, which is often a freeholder or management company rather than an individual flat landlord. Check who that is under your lease. Residents must be told that fire doors should stay closed when not in use, that they must not interfere with self-closing devices, and that faults should be reported. New residents must be told as soon as reasonably practicable after moving in.
In buildings above 11 metres, the responsible person must use best endeavours to check flat entrance doors at least every 12 months and keep records, including steps taken to gain access where it was refused. Fire doors in communal areas must be checked at least every 3 months. Both checks must confirm that self-closing devices work. Height is measured to the top storey. The regulations came into force on 23 January 2023. They apply in England; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire rules.
Example
Marcus owns a flat on the fourth floor of a 14 metre block in Birmingham. The management company checks the communal fire doors every three months and asks to inspect his entrance door each year. When his tenant moves in on 1 April 2027, he passes on the fire door information the building supplies.
Related terms
- Fire risk assessment
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- HMO management regulations
- Interlinked fire alarms