LE18 · Wigston
Fire Door Inspection
in Wigston
In residential buildings above 11 metres the Responsible Person must make best endeavours to check flat entrance doors annually and communal fire doors quarterly. In other premises fire doors remain covered by the general duty to keep fire safety measures in efficient working order.
Duty summary
England & Wales
- Duty
- Fire Door Inspection
- Instrument
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, regulation 10
- Also
- article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the maintenance duty
- Standard
- BS 8214 for timber fire door assemblies, and Approved Document B
- Frequency
- Communal doors quarterly and flat entrance doors annually, in residential buildings above 11 metres
- Carried out by
- A competent person
- Enforced by
- Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
- Guide price
- £200 – £650 per survey
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Building owners and managers responsible for multi-occupied residential blocks or commercial premises often require a professional fire door inspection in Wigston to ensure their property remains compliant. The local landscape in the LE18 postcode district is varied, featuring a town centre high street with flats over shops, Victorian and interwar terraces, and small industrial and trade units. Each of these building types presents different risks; for example, a converted Victorian terrace used as an HMO or a trade unit with high-traffic internal doors requires specific attention to maintain fire compartmentation. An inspection is necessary because fire doors are life-safety devices that undergo significant wear and tear, particularly in communal areas or busy workspaces. A fire door inspection in Wigston typically costs £200 to £650 per survey, though the final figure depends entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The specific quote for your premises will be provided by the local firm we put you in touch with after you submit your enquiry. This service acts as a bridge between duty holders and competent inspectors who understand the local building stock.
What a fire door inspection covers
The scope of a fire door survey is determined by the specific requirements of the building and the instructions of the duty holder. A local firm will typically examine the condition of the door leaf, the frame, and all associated hardware including hinges, closers, and locks. They will also check the integrity of intumescent seals and smoke brushes, and the gaps between the door and the frame. Several factors influence the cost and duration of the work:
- The total number of doors within the scope of the inspection.
- Whether the survey includes flat entrance doors, which often require individual access arrangements with tenants.
- The height and tenure of the building, as high-rise blocks have specific regulatory requirements.
- The complexity of access arrangements, particularly for occupied flats or secure industrial units.
- Whether you require the firm to provide a quote for remedial work at the same time as the inspection report.
How the enquiry works
Leicester Fire Risk Assessment operates as a dedicated enquiry service to help you find a suitable provider for your safety requirements. It is important to understand that we are not contractors, we do not attend your site, and we do not carry out the inspections ourselves. The process follows these four steps:
- You provide the details of your property and the number of doors through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the Wigston area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss the specifics and provide a formal quote.
- You deal with the firm directly for the inspection, reporting, and any subsequent billing.
The legal position for fire doors
The management of fire doors is governed by several pieces of legislation and guidance. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 17 places a mandatory duty on the Responsible Person to ensure that all fire safety measures are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are kept in efficient working order and in good repair. For timber fire door assemblies, BS 8214 provides the code of practice for their installation and maintenance, while Approved Document B serves as the primary guidance against which fire safety performance is normally measured.
Specific requirements were introduced by the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, particularly regulation 10. In residential buildings with a height of more than 11 metres, the Responsible Person is legally required to make their best endeavours to check all flat entrance doors at least every 12 months. Furthermore, they must carry out checks on all fire doors in the communal areas of these buildings at least every three months. In other types of premises, such as shops or industrial units, fire doors remain covered by the general maintenance duty of the 2005 Order.
Legislation stipulates that these assessments must be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Failure to maintain fire doors can lead to enforcement action, which in Wigston is handled by the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific building use. The information provided on this page is for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How often must fire doors be checked in my building?
For residential buildings over 11 metres, regulation 10 requires communal doors to be checked quarterly and flat entrance doors annually. For other buildings, including those under 11 metres or commercial units, the frequency is determined by your fire risk assessment. High-traffic areas like a Wigston high street shop may require more frequent checks than a quiet office. The local firm we put you in touch with can advise on a suitable schedule based on your specific building usage.
Does the 11 metre rule apply to my building?
The 11 metre rule specifically applies to multi-occupied residential buildings. If your property in Wigston is a commercial unit, a single-occupancy house, or a residential block lower than 11 metres, the specific quarterly and annual requirements of the 2022 Regulations do not apply. However, you are still legally bound by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to maintain all fire doors in good working order, regardless of the height of the building.
What makes a fire door fail a professional inspection?
Common reasons for failure include excessive gaps between the door and frame (usually over 4mm), damaged or missing intumescent seals, and faulty self-closing devices that fail to shut the door firmly into the rebate. Other issues include non-fire-rated hardware, cracked glazing, or structural damage to the door leaf itself. The assessor who contacts you will provide a detailed report identifying any such defects that compromise the door's ability to hold back fire and smoke.
Can a general joiner carry out these inspections?
While a joiner may understand the construction of a door, a fire door inspection requires specific knowledge of fire safety standards, Approved Document B, and BS 8214. The law requires a 'competent person' to perform these checks. A specialist firm should mean the inspection is documented correctly for your fire safety records. As an enquiry service, we aim your details reach a firm that specialises in fire safety rather than general property maintenance.
Do I get a certificate or a report after the visit?
You will typically receive a detailed inspection report rather than a single 'certificate'. This report should list each door, its location, and its condition against specific safety criteria. If a door fails, the report will explain why and what remedial action is needed. A fire door inspection in Wigston typically costs £200 to £650 per survey, and this fee generally includes the production of the professional report which serves as your evidence of compliance for the fire service.
How do I get a quote for my specific property?
To get a quote, you simply need to submit your building details through our enquiry service. We are not the ones doing the work; instead, we pass your information to a local fire safety company. They will then contact you to discuss the number of doors and the building type before providing a fixed price. This allows you to deal directly with the technical experts who will be carrying out the physical inspection on-site.
Sources and review
Checked against Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 reg.10, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 art.17, BS 8214 and Approved Document B on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@leicesterfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.
Fire Door Inspection nearby
Other duties at the same premises
This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.