What Is the Difference Between a Fire Door Inspection and a Fire Door Survey?

Fire doors play a critical role in protecting escape routes, containing fire and smoke, and supporting a building’s overall fire strategy. However, many Responsible Persons are unsure whether they need a fire door inspection or a fire door survey — and whether there is any difference between the two.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, they can describe slightly different levels of assessment depending on context.

This guide explains the difference between a fire door inspection and a fire door survey, when each may be appropriate, and how both support legal compliance under UK fire safety legislation.

We provide structured fire door inspections and surveys to help Responsible Persons maintain compliance.

What Is a Fire Door Inspection?

A fire door inspection typically refers to the technical assessment of an individual fire door.

During an inspection, a competent person will examine:

• Door leaf condition and fire rating
• Door-to-frame gaps and tolerances
• Intumescent and smoke seals
• Hinges, closers, locks, and latching
• Glazing and vision panels
• Self-closing function
• Evidence of damage or unauthorised alteration

The purpose of a fire door inspection is to confirm that the door assembly remains fit for purpose and capable of performing during a fire.

Fire door inspections may be carried out:

• As part of routine maintenance
• Following damage or alteration
• During compliance checks
• In response to enforcement concerns

What Is a Fire Door Survey?

A fire door survey usually refers to a structured, documented review of multiple fire doors across a building or portfolio.

A survey will normally include:

• Inspection of each fire door
• Door numbering or asset tagging
• Photographic evidence
• Condition grading or risk categorisation
• A prioritised remedial action schedule
• A formal written report suitable for compliance records

In simple terms:

A fire door survey is typically a coordinated programme of inspections with structured reporting.

Surveys are commonly required in:

• Multi-occupied residential buildings
• Large commercial premises
• Schools, hospitals, and care environments
• Property portfolios
• Buildings subject to enforcement notices

Are Fire Door Inspections and Surveys Legally Required?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire doors must be maintained in:

• An efficient state
• Efficient working order
• Good repair

In England, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced explicit duties for Responsible Persons in certain residential buildings, including:

• Quarterly checks of communal fire doors (over 11 metres)
• Annual checks of flat entrance doors opening onto common parts
• Record keeping of inspections and remedial actions

The law does not specifically use the term “survey” — but structured fire door surveys are widely used to demonstrate compliance with these duties.

What Is the Difference Between a Fire Door Inspection and a Fire Door Survey?

When Do You Need a Fire Door Inspection?

You may require a fire door inspection when:

• A specific door has been damaged
• You are reviewing installation quality
• You need a technical opinion on compliance
• You are responding to a fire risk assessment recommendation

When Do You Need a Fire Door Survey?

A fire door survey is usually appropriate when:

• There are multiple fire doors within a building
• You need documented evidence of compliance
• You are preparing for an audit or enforcement inspection
• There has been a change in legislation or management responsibility
• You manage a residential building subject to the 2022 Regulations

Which Is Right for Your Building?

In smaller premises, periodic fire door inspections may be sufficient.

In larger or higher-risk buildings — particularly multi-occupied residential premises — a structured fire door survey provides stronger compliance evidence and clearer remedial planning.

Ultimately, both inspections and surveys support the same objective: Ensuring fire doors will perform as intended during a fire.

How Inspections and Surveys Support Fire Risk Assessments

A fire door inspection is not the same as a fire risk assessment.

A fire risk assessment considers the overall fire safety strategy of a building, while fire door inspections and surveys provide detailed analysis of one specific life-safety system.

However, inspections and surveys support the Responsible Person in demonstrating that compartmentation and escape route protection are being actively managed.

Conclusion

The difference between a fire door inspection and a fire door survey is largely about scale and structure.

An inspection focuses on an individual door.

A survey typically covers multiple doors with structured reporting and compliance documentation.

Both are essential tools in managing fire door compliance under UK fire safety legislation.

If you are unsure whether you require a single inspection or a structured fire door survey, professional advice from an experienced UK fire door inspection and survey specialist can help ensure your compliance strategy is proportionate, defensible, and fully aligned with current fire safety legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fire door survey a legal requirement?

The law requires fire doors to be maintained in efficient working order under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In England, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require regular checks of certain fire doors in residential buildings over 11 metres in height.

While legislation does not specifically use the term “fire door survey”, a structured fire door survey is commonly used to demonstrate compliance and provide documented evidence that inspections have been carried out by a competent person.

Is a fire door inspection the same as a fire door survey?

Not exactly. A fire door inspection usually refers to the technical assessment of an individual door. A fire door survey typically describes a structured review of multiple fire doors across a building or portfolio, including formal reporting, defect grading, and remedial scheduling.

A survey incorporates individual inspections but adds documentation and compliance management.

Do I need a fire door survey for my building?

A fire door survey is recommended where:

• There are multiple fire doors within a building
• You manage a multi-occupied residential property
• You require formal compliance records
• You are preparing for audit or enforcement review
• There are concerns about installation quality or ongoing maintenance

In residential buildings over 11 metres in England, structured surveys can help demonstrate compliance with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

How often should fire door inspections or surveys be carried out?

Inspection frequency depends on building type and risk level. As a general guide:

• High-risk or high-use buildings: every 3–6 months
• Standard commercial premises: at least every 6–12 months
• Residential buildings in England over 11 metres:
  • Communal doors: every 3 months
  • Flat entrance doors: at least every 12 months

Inspections should also be carried out after damage, alteration, or changes in building use.

Who can carry out a fire door inspection or survey?

Fire door inspections and surveys must be carried out by a competent person. This means someone with relevant knowledge, training, and experience in fire door construction, certification, standards, and defect identification.

Using a qualified or third-party accredited inspector provides stronger evidence of due diligence.

What does a fire door survey report include?

A professional fire door survey report typically includes:

• Door-by-door findings
• Photographic evidence
• Gap measurements
• Seal and hardware assessment
• Certification checks
• Risk-based defect grading
• A prioritised remedial action schedule

This documentation supports compliance records and enforcement defensibility.