fire-doors-legal-requirements
--- title: Fire Doors: Legal Requirements and Common Failures reading_time: 7 canonical: "https://www.hawkswift.co.uk/blog/fire-doors-legal-requirements" description: "Fire Doors: Legal Requirements and Common Failures — a plain-English guide from HawkSwift, NEBOSH-qualified fire-risk-assessment specialists. responsible person. How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*
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What a competent fire risk assessment covers
A suitable and sufficient FRA follows the PAS 79-1 methodology:
- Stage 1 — Preliminary: gather premises info, identify responsible person and previous assessments.
- Stage 2 — Identify hazards: sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen across all areas.
- Stage 3 — People at risk: occupants, visitors, contractors and anyone needing assistance.
- Stage 4 — Evaluate & protect: whether risks are eliminated or reduced, and whether fire precautions are adequate.
- Stage 5 — Record & plan: write it down, set an action plan with owners and dates, and set the review date.
HawkSwift delivers this as a written, court-defensible report — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
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Your duties under the RRO 2005 on fire doors
- Article 17 requires fire doors to be maintained in efficient working order.
- A door that does not self-close fails the duty; propping open is an offence unless via an approved hold-open device linked to the alarm.
- Intumescent seals and certified installation matter at inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, if you employ 5+ people, are a licensable or higher-risk premises, or the building is not a private home (Art. 9). How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*
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Book your assessment
HawkSwift delivers NEBOSH-qualified, court-defensible fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT with a 48-hour turnaround. A written report, an action plan you can hand to an inspector, and no jargon. Book your FRA or talk to the team today.