Fire door inspection for blocks of flats
Fire door inspection for blocks of flats in Birmingham and the West Midlands, covering flat entrance doors and the communal doors on stairs and corridors. I record every door I reach and every flat I can't get into. Ring 07770 643480 or book online to plan a visit.
What the 2022 regulations ask
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force on 23 January 2023. For residential buildings over 11 metres, communal fire doors must be checked at least every 3 months and flat entrance doors at least every 12 months, on a best-endeavours basis. Failed attempts to get access have to be recorded.
Below 11m
Below 11 metres the 3-month and 12-month frequencies don't automatically apply, though the responsible person still has duties under the Fire Safety Order. In any building with 2 or more flats, residents must be given information about fire doors. Fire door regulations explained covers which rule applies where.
Flat entrance doors vs communal doors
Flat entrance doors open from each flat onto the common parts, and the Fire Safety Act 2021 confirms they are in scope. Communal doors are the ones on the shared stairs, landings and corridors. In blocks over 11 metres the communal doors are checked more often, every 3 months against every 12 for flat doors.
Recording no-access flats
When a resident doesn't answer or refuses entry, the flat door is logged as "Not inspected, no access" and never counts as a pass. I tell the managing agent and return once access is arranged, and that return visit may cost an extra attendance fee under the agreed terms.
FAQ
Questions from managing agents and freeholders about checking doors in a block.
How often are communal doors checked above 11m?
Every 3 months at least, for residential buildings over 11 metres, under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The flat entrance doors in the same building need a check at least once every 12 months, which the regulations treat as best endeavours.
What happens when a resident refuses access?
I record that flat entrance door as "Not inspected, no access" and never mark it as passed. Above 11 metres the regulations ask for failed access attempts to be recorded, and the report gives you that record. I come back once access is arranged.
Do blocks below 11m need fire door checks?
The set frequencies in the 2022 regulations don't automatically apply below 11 metres, but the Fire Safety Order duties still do. The Fire Safety Act 2021 also confirms that flat entrance doors onto common parts are in scope, whatever the building's height.
Plan the fire door checks for your block
Send the address, the number of flats and the number of communal doors to fire@optimussolutionsltd.co.uk or call 07770 643480.