Fire door regulations explained (England)
Fire-door duties in England come from two places that work together: the general Fire Safety Order, and the specific fire-door rules in regulation 10. Here is how they fit, and who has to do what.
The two layers
The Fire Safety Order. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a general duty on the "responsible person" to manage fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings — which includes keeping fire doors able to do their job.
Regulation 10. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 added specific fire-door duties on top. Since 23 January 2023, in multi-occupied residential buildings with a storey over 11 metres, the responsible person must carry out quarterly checks of fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts, and — on a best-endeavours basis — annual checks of flat entrance doors. These apply in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own fire-safety regimes.
Below 11 metres — not exempt
The over-11-metre threshold sets when the specific regulation 10 frequencies apply. It does not mean shorter buildings have no fire-door duties. Two separate sources apply regardless of height. Under the Fire Safety Order, the responsible person still owes general fire-precautions and maintenance duties for fire doors (including flat entrance doors). Separately, regulation 10 itself requires responsible persons to give residents information about fire doors in all relevant multi-occupied residential buildings — that resident-information duty is not tied to the over-11m threshold.
What this means in practice
You need to know which buildings you are responsible for, whether each has a storey over 11 metres, and therefore which check regime applies — then make sure the checks happen and are evidenced. A routine fire-door check is a visual check the responsible person arranges; how often depends on the building — see how often fire doors should be checked.
Keep the register and the evidence
Complys holds a fire-door register, schedules the quarterly and annual checks, and keeps the records audit-ready for the fire and rescue authority. The checks themselves are carried out by your staff or a competent contractor.
Fire door inspection software →FAQs
What are the main fire door regulations in England?
For multi-occupied residential buildings, regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 sets specific fire-door check duties, sitting on top of the general duties in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Regulation 10 has applied since 23 January 2023. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own separate fire-safety regimes.
Do the rules only apply to tall buildings?
No. The specific regulation 10 check frequencies apply where the building has a storey over 11 metres, but responsible persons for shorter multi-occupied residential buildings still have general fire-precautions and maintenance duties for fire doors under the Fire Safety Order, regardless of height. Separately, regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 requires responsible persons to give residents information about fire doors in all relevant multi-occupied residential buildings, irrespective of the over-11m routine-check threshold.
Who is responsible?
The 'responsible person' under the Fire Safety Order — often the building owner, landlord, managing agent or freeholder for the common parts of a multi-occupied residential building. They must arrange the checks; they do not have to carry them out personally.
Related: what a fire-door check covers, how often fire doors should be checked, and fire door inspection software. England-specific; general information, not legal advice.