If you manage a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), a block of flats, or commercial premises in Wales, the landscape of fire safety legislation has shifted significantly over the last few years.
Following the implementation of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and subsequent updates, the responsibilities placed on landlords and ‘Responsible Persons’ are stricter than ever. Failure to comply doesn’t just mean heavy fines; it can lead to criminal prosecution.
Here is what you need to know about your fire door obligations in 2024.
The Role of the ‘Responsible Person’
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), every block of flats or commercial building must have a designated ‘Responsible Person’. If you own or manage the property, this is likely you.
Your primary duty is to ensure that a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is carried out and regularly reviewed. Fire doors are a critical component of this assessment.
Mandatory Inspection Frequencies
One of the biggest recent changes revolves around how often fire doors must be checked.
For multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height, the Responsible Person must:
- Quarterly Checks: Undertake best-endeavour checks of all fire doors in the common parts of the building every 3 months.
- Annual Checks: Undertake checks of all flat entrance doors every 12 months.
Even if your building is under 11 metres, regular maintenance is a legal requirement. We strongly advise professional inspections every 6 months for any high-traffic building.
Flat Entrance Doors ARE Fire Doors
A common area of confusion is the front door of individual flats. If a flat opens into an internal corridor or common area, that entrance door is a fire door.
It must provide a minimum of 30 minutes of fire resistance (FD30S) and be fitted with a self-closing device. If a tenant replaces their front door with a standard UPVC door, the fire compartmentalization of the entire building is compromised, and you (the landlord) can be held liable.
The Information Obligation
Landlords must now proactively provide residents with fire safety instructions. This includes giving residents clear information regarding the importance of fire doors. Residents must be instructed:
- Not to prop fire doors open.
- Not to tamper with self-closing devices.
- To report any faults or damages to the doors immediately.
Why Visual Checks Aren’t Enough
While landlords can perform basic visual checks (looking for damage, checking if the door closes), this does not replace a professional compliance inspection.
An inspector will check the condition of the intumescent seals, the exact millimeter gaps around the frame, the certification tags, and the structural integrity of the hinges.
At VYR Doors, we help landlords across South Wales stay on the right side of the law. We provide comprehensive, fully documented fire door inspections and maintenance services. We give you the digital audit trail you need to prove your compliance.
Get in touch with us to secure your property today.