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10 minute read
How To Conduct A Fire Risk Assessment For Your Business
Fire Door Surveys
Professional surveys for commercial and residential buildings
Fire doors play a critical role in protecting people, property and escape routes during a fire. However, even a correctly installed fire door can become non-compliant over time if it is damaged, poorly maintained, altered, or affected by general wear and tear.
At Advanced Fire Protection (AFP Wales), we provide professional fire door surveys for commercial buildings, residential blocks, housing associations, hospitality venues, healthcare settings, education sites and multi-site property portfolios. Our surveys help duty holders understand the condition of their fire doors, identify compliance risks, and take clear action where remedial work is required.
Based in South Wales, we support clients across Cardiff, Pontypridd, Newport and the wider Wales region, while our connection with the LS Fire Group allows us to deliver fire door surveying services across the UK.
Whether you need a one-off fire door survey, a full estate-wide inspection programme, or remedial support following a report, AFP Wales provides clear, practical and compliance-led guidance.
What is a fire door survey?
A fire door survey is a detailed inspection of fire doors, frames, seals, hardware and surrounding components. Its purpose is to assess whether each door is likely to perform correctly in the event of a fire and whether it meets the requirements of the building’s fire strategy.
During the survey, fire door specialists inspect each door assembly and record any defects, missing components, damage or non-compliant features. This can include problems such as excessive gaps, damaged seals, faulty self-closers, unsuitable glazing, damaged frames, incorrect signage or evidence of unauthorised alterations.
Fire door surveying is especially important in buildings where there are multiple doors, high levels of daily use, vulnerable occupants or complex escape routes. In these environments, even a small defect can compromise compartmentation and increase risk.
The output of the survey is a clear report that helps duty holders prioritise remedial works and maintain evidence of active fire safety management.
Why fire door surveys are important for compliance
Fire door compliance is a legal and practical responsibility. Under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, the Responsible Person must ensure that fire safety measures are suitable and maintained in effective working order. Fire doors form part of those measures, particularly where they protect escape routes, compartment lines and higher-risk areas.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 also clarified responsibilities relating to multi-occupied residential buildings, including flat entrance doors. This has increased the focus on ensuring that fire doors in residential blocks and housing association properties are properly inspected and maintained.
Fire door surveys can also support wider guidance and standards, including BS 8214, which provides guidance on timber fire door assemblies, and BS 9999, which supports fire safety management in buildings.
Regular fire door surveying helps duty holders:
- Identify non-compliant fire doors before they become serious risks
- Demonstrate that fire safety measures are being actively managed
- Support fire risk assessments and compliance audits
- Prioritise remedial works based on risk
- Maintain safer escape routes and compartmentation
- Plan long-term maintenance and replacement programmes
What does a fire door survey include?
Door leaf condition and fire rating
The door leaf is checked for signs of damage, warping, delamination, holes, cracks or unauthorised alterations. Where available, certification labels, plugs or markings may also be reviewed to help confirm the fire resistance rating of the door.
This is important because a damaged or unsuitable door leaf may not provide the required level of protection, even if the rest of the assembly appears to be in good condition.
Frames, gaps and alignment
The door frame and surrounding structure are assessed to ensure the door sits correctly and closes as intended. Excessive gaps around the door can allow smoke and fire to pass through too quickly, reducing the effectiveness of the door.
Alignment is also checked, as a door that fails to close properly may not provide adequate protection during a fire.
Hinges, closers and hardware
A compliant fire door must close fully into the frame without manual assistance. The survey will check that hinges, latches, handles, locks and self-closing devices are suitable, secure and functioning correctly.
Faulty closers are one of the most common issues found during fire door surveys. If a door does not close properly, it cannot protect the escape route or compartment it is designed to safeguard.
Intumescent seals and smoke seals
Intumescent seals expand when exposed to heat, helping to seal gaps around the door during a fire. Smoke seals help restrict smoke spread, which is often one of the greatest risks to occupants during evacuation.
During the survey, seals are checked for damage, missing sections, poor fitting or contamination. Missing or damaged seals can significantly reduce fire door performance.
Fire-rated glazing and vision panels
Where fire doors include glazing, the glass and glazing system must be fire-rated and compatible with the door assembly. The survey will assess visible glazing condition, beading, markings and signs of damage or poor installation.
Incorrect glazing can undermine the fire resistance of the door, even if the door leaf itself is suitable.
Signage and visible defects
Fire door signage helps ensure doors are used correctly, particularly where doors must be kept shut or kept clear. The survey will check whether signage is present, appropriate and visible.
The survey will also record any obvious defects such as impact damage, missing components, wedges, hooks, retainers or modifications that could stop the door from performing as intended.
Our survey reports and remedial recommendations
A fire door survey should give you clear, usable information, not just a list of defects. AFP Wales provides structured reporting to help duty holders understand the condition of their fire doors and what action is needed.
Depending on the project scope, reporting may include:
- Pass and fail outcomes
- Door schedules or asset registers
- Photographic evidence
- Defect descriptions
- Risk-based prioritisation
- Remedial recommendations
- Compliance logs
- Repair or replacement guidance
This is particularly valuable for larger buildings and multi-site property portfolios, where fire door compliance can be difficult to manage without clear documentation.
Once the survey is complete, AFP Wales can also support with the next stage. Our team can provide fire door maintenance, repairs, replacement doors, installation and ongoing inspection programmes, helping you move from survey findings to completed remedial action.
How much does a fire door survey cost?
The fire door survey cost will depend on the size of the building, the number of doors being inspected, the level of reporting required and the complexity of the site.
For example, a small commercial premises with a limited number of fire doors will usually require less survey time than a large residential block, hospital, hotel, school or multi-site estate. Access requirements, door locations, reporting detail and whether photographic evidence or asset registers are required can also affect cost.
Factors that may influence fire door survey cost include:
- Number of fire doors
- Building size and layout
- Site access requirements
- Whether the building is occupied
- Level of reporting required
- Need for photographic evidence
- Whether remedial recommendations are included
- Single-site or multi-site scope
AFP Wales can provide a clear quotation based on your building and survey requirements. This ensures you understand what is included before the work begins and can plan effectively for any follow-up remedial works.
Why choose AFP Wales for fire door surveying?
There are many fire door survey companies, but duty holders need more than a basic inspection. They need clear advice, accurate reporting and a practical route to compliance.
AFP Wales provides:
- Professional fire door surveying for commercial and residential buildings
- Support from experienced fire door specialists
- IFC Certification where applicable across our fire door services
- Clear pass and fail reporting
- Photographic evidence and defect logs where required
- Prioritised remedial recommendations
- Support with maintenance, repairs, replacement and installation
- Local expertise across Wales
- UK-wide support through the LS Fire Group
Book a fire door survey with AFP Wales
If you need a professional fire door survey, AFP Wales can help you understand the condition of your fire doors and identify the steps needed to maintain compliance.
From local surveys across Cardiff, Pontypridd, Newport and Wales to wider UK inspection programmes through the LS Fire Group, we provide clear reporting, practical recommendations and expert support.
Contact AFP Wales today to arrange a fire door survey or discuss your fire door surveying requirements.
Fire safety is a responsibility that never rests and we’re here to implement complete fire protection for your business. Get in touch with our industry-leading experts to learn how we prevent fire, protect lives, and ensure compliance for you.
Fire Door Surveys FAQs
- How often should fire door surveys be carried out?
- The frequency of fire door surveys depends on the building type, occupancy, risk profile and how heavily the doors are used. High-traffic buildings or multi-occupied residential blocks may require more frequent checks than lower-use commercial premises. A fire risk assessment can help determine an appropriate inspection schedule.
- What is the difference between a fire door survey and a fire door inspection?
- The terms are often used interchangeably, but a fire door survey is usually a more detailed review of multiple doors across a building or estate. It often includes structured reporting, defect identification, asset information and remedial recommendations. A fire door inspection may refer to a single door check or a routine inspection as part of ongoing maintenance.
- What happens if a fire door fails a survey?
- If a fire door fails a survey, the issue should be recorded and remedial action should be planned based on risk. Some defects can be repaired, such as damaged seals or faulty closers, while more serious issues may require door replacement or frame remedials. AFP Wales can support with repairs, maintenance and installation after the survey.
- Can AFP Wales survey fire doors in occupied buildings?
- Fire door surveys can usually be carried out in occupied buildings with careful planning. Our team will work with facilities managers, landlords or site contacts to minimise disruption, manage access requirements and ensure the survey is completed safely and efficiently.
- Do fire door surveys include a report?
- AFP Wales can provide fire door survey reports that include pass and fail outcomes, defect notes, photographic evidence, remedial recommendations and compliance records where required. This helps duty holders maintain an audit trail and plan corrective works.
- Can you help with remedial work after the survey?
- In addition to fire door surveys, AFP Wales provides fire door maintenance, repair, replacement and installation services. This means we can help you move from identifying issues to resolving them, reducing the need to coordinate multiple contractors.
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