Fire door checks in blocks of flats.

In short

In England, a block with two or more flats must give residents fire safety instructions and information about fire doors. If the block has a storey more than 11 metres above ground, the responsible person must also check the fire doors in the common parts at least every three months, and use best endeavours to check every flat entrance door at least once a year. These duties came into force on 23 January 2023.

Which buildings do the 2022 Regulations apply to?

Multi-occupied residential buildings in England: buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises and common parts. Some duties apply to all of them, some only from 11 metres, and the rest only to high-rise buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys.

How often must communal fire doors be checked?

At least every three months in a building with a storey more than 11 metres above ground. That includes the self-closing devices, which are what make a fire door work.

Do flat entrance doors have to be checked?

Yes, in buildings over 11 metres, at least once a year, on a best endeavours basis. The responsible person cannot force entry, so the duty is to try and to keep a record of each attempt and its result. Owner self-checks with photographs are a reasonable part of that record, though they are not a competent person's inspection.

What must residents be told?

In every block with two or more flats, residents must be given fire safety instructions and information about the importance of fire doors to the building's fire safety: when they move in, and again at least every year.

What more applies to high-rise blocks?

Buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys carry further duties: a secure information box, floor plans and information about the external wall construction for the fire and rescue service, monthly checks of firefighting and evacuation lifts and essential firefighting equipment with faults reported if not fixed within 24 hours, and wayfinding signage.

Where Servanda comes in

Servanda runs fire door returns by link: each owner checks their own entrance door against a set checklist, with a photo and a signed declaration, and the office sees a register of who has returned, who has not, and which doors need attention. The quarterly communal checks sit on the register like any other.

Everything Servanda does

The law

The legislation is the authority; this page is a plain summary for England, checked on 2026-10-23. Wales and Scotland have their own rules. Take advice on any particular building.