Fire Door Certificate for UK Landlords & Property Managers

Yes. Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “Responsible Person” must ensure fire doors are fit for purpose. In 2026, informal checks are no longer sufficient; you must have documented evidence (a certificate) that each door assembly meets the required standards.

The 2026 standards require a tiered approach to inspections:
​High-Rise Residential (Over 11m): * Communal doors: Every 3 months.
​Flat entrance doors: Every 12 months.
​Commercial Buildings/Offices: Usually every 6 to 12 months, depending on the building’s risk assessment and footfall.
​HMOs and Smaller Blocks: At least annually for all fire doors.

Since late 2025, landlords are legally required to provide residents with information about the importance of fire doors, including instructions that they should not be tampered with and must be kept shut.

Our engineers use a detailed 5-point safety check for every door:
​Certification: We look for the fire-rated label or “plug” (usually on the top edge) to confirm its rating (e.g., FD30 or FD60).
​Gaps & Seals: We measure the gaps around the top and sides (must be under 4mm) and check that intumescent seals are intact and unpainted.
​Hinges & Hardware: We ensure at least three fire-rated hinges are present and all screws are secure.
​Closing Mechanism: The most common fail point. The door must self-close firmly from any angle and engage with the latch.
​Damage & Alterations: We check for holes, cracks, or non-fire-rated glass that would compromise the door’s integrity.

Yes. For multi-occupied buildings, the front door of each flat is a critical fire barrier. We perform “best endeavor” checks to access and certify these entrance doors annually.

A failed door doesn’t always need replacing. Common “remedial works” that Certivest can assist with include:
​Replacing damaged intumescent or smoke seals.
​Adjusting the overhead door closer so it latches properly.
​Filling minor gaps or replacing non-compliant hinges.

You can paint the door leaf, but you must not paint over the intumescent seals or the fire-rating labels. Doing so can prevent the seals from expanding in a fire, which would invalidate your certificate.

Rating Resistance Time Typical Use Case
FD30 30 Minutes Standard flat entrance and internal office doors.
FD30S 30 Minutes + Smoke Same as FD30, but with smoke seals (required for escape routes).
FD60 60 Minutes Plant rooms, boiler rooms, and high-risk commercial areas.