If you’re a landlord, facilities manager, school leader or business owner, it’s your legal duty to ensure fire doors are compliant and functioning properly.

This article outlines the key things to check, common mistakes, and how IGB Ltd can help you stay compliant.

Why Fire Door Compliance Matters

• They buy time — slowing the spread of fire and smoke.
• They protect lives — giving people time to escape.
• They’re a legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order and the Building Regulations.
• They reduce liability — failure to maintain can lead to fines or prosecution.

Fire Door Compliance Checklist

Here’s what you (or your fire safety provider) should check:

1. Certification

• Is the door clearly marked with a certification label (usually on the top edge)?
• Does the door match the specification of the building’s fire strategy?

2. Door Gaps

• Are gaps around the top and sides no more than 3-4mm?
• Is the gap at the bottom no more than 8mm (or as specified for the door type)?

3. Door Closers

• Does the door close firmly on its own?
• Is the closer adjusted to prevent slamming or incomplete closure?

4. Intumescent Seals

• Are the seals around the door and frame intact?
• Are they continuous, undamaged, and not painted over?

5. Hinges and Fixings

• Are there at least three secure hinges?
• Are screws tight and not missing?

6. Signage and Glazing

• Is the correct fire door signage present (e.g. “Fire Door Keep Shut”)?
• If glazed, is the glass fire-rated and properly sealed?

7. No Obstructions

• Is the door free from door stops or wedges?
• Is the doorway clear at all times?

8. Condition and Maintenance

• Is the door in good condition with no damage, warping, or splits?
• Has it been inspected recently? (Ideally every 6 months for non-domestic buildings)

Common Compliance Failures

• Missing or fake certification labels
• Doors that don’t fully close
• Gaps that are too wide
• Damaged or painted-over seals
• Poorly fitted hardware or after-market changes

These faults can invalidate your fire protection and expose you to legal risk.

How IGB Ltd Can Help

At IGB Ltd, we supply and install fully certified fire doors for a wide range of commercial and public sector clients. We also carry out:

• Fire door surveys and reports
• Remedial work and hardware upgrades
• Ongoing maintenance and inspections

Our team is trained to FDIS standards and works in full compliance with UK fire safety regulations.

Whether you’re responsible for a school, office, housing block or healthcare setting, we can help you meet your obligations with confidence.

Book a Fire Door Survey

Not sure if your fire doors are compliant? Speak to our team at IGB Ltd and arrange a professional inspection today.

PFP isn’t always visible, but it saves lives. Done properly, it gives occupants time to escape, helps firefighters do their job, and limits costly damage. Done poorly, it can be catastrophic.

In this article, we break down what passive fire protection actually is, why it’s required by law, and how to make sure it’s done right.

What Is Passive Fire Protection?

Passive fire protection refers to the built-in fire safety measures that help prevent or slow the spread of fire and smoke within a building. Unlike active systems (alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers), PFP doesn’t require activation. It’s always working in the background.

Common PFP elements include:

• Fire-rated walls, floors and ceilings that compartmentalise space
• Fire doors that resist fire and smoke for a specified time
• Fire-stopping materials that seal gaps around pipes, cables and ducts
• Cavity barriers and intumescent coatings that expand in heat to block flames

The goal is to contain fire to its origin room or area for as long as possible.

Why Passive Fire Protection Matters

1. It Saves Lives
By containing fire and smoke, PFP gives people more time to evacuate safely.

2. It’s a Legal Requirement
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons (landlords, building owners, facilities managers) to ensure premises are safe and compliant.

3. It Minimises Damage
PFP limits how far a fire can spread, protecting other areas of the building and reducing repair costs.

4. It Helps Firefighters
Slowing the spread of fire makes it safer for emergency services to respond.

Common Mistakes and Compliance Risks

Unfortunately, many buildings fail basic fire protection standards. Common issues include:

• Poorly installed fire doors or missing certification labels
• Unsealed service penetrations where cables, pipes or ducts pass through walls
• Compromised compartmentation due to later building works
• Inadequate documentation or unclear inspection history

These issues can result in prosecution, invalidate insurance, and put lives at risk.

How to Get It Right

If you’re responsible for a building, you need to:

• Use qualified contractors with PFP experience
• Ensure fire doors are installed and maintained properly (by FDIS-accredited fitters)
• Have regular inspections and documentation of all passive fire systems
• Understand your legal responsibilities as the duty holder

Passive fire protection is not a tick-box exercise. It requires planning, quality workmanship, and ongoing care.

How IGB Ltd Can Help

IGB Ltd specialises in passive fire protection across commercial and residential buildings. Our services include:

• Fire door supply and certified installation
• Fire-stopping and compartmentation
• Remedial works following fire risk assessments
• Full compliance reporting and aftercare

Our team is fully trained, accredited, and works across the UK with clients in education, healthcare, hospitality, and commercial sectors.

We don’t just install. We help you stay compliant, protect lives, and reduce risk.

Book a Fire Safety Survey

Concerned about your building’s fire protection? IGB Ltd offers professional surveys and practical guidance to bring your premises up to standard.

Contact us today to book an assessment or learn more about our passive fire services.