This year has been one of the most significant for changes in fire door regulations. There were changes to standards, what is expected from responsible people, and enforcement. So, we feel it is a great time to have a look at the biggest challenges for compliance in 2026. Then, if you need to arrange fire door inspections in Middlesbrough or other areas, you can rely on us.
Out of date standards
The most significant change was the withdrawal of the BS 476-22 fire door testing standard. A new standard took its place, EN 1634-1. It is one of the biggest technical updates we’ve ever seen. As a result, the major compliance challenge at the moment is meeting the new standards. It’s important to make the change, ensuring fire doors are certified to EN 1634-1.
Not inspecting frequently enough
Another big change is the rules for how often you need to inspect fire doors; they now vary depending on the type of property. This acknowledges the fact that the level of risk varies. Crucially, if buildings are more than 11m tall, they require quarterly checks for doors on communal areas and annual checks for flat entrance doors. Inspections should be done every six months in commercial properties. Plus, it’s recommended to check doors visually in high traffic areas every month.
As you can probably guess, the big challenge here is ensuring you have an appropriate inspection schedule. It’s likely you’ll have doors in the property that you need to check more often than others. Ensure compliance by creating a structured schedule. Speak to us about fire door inspections in Middlesbrough and other areas.
Failing to keep the correct records
One thing we recognise today, especially in the wake of Grenfell, is the importance of record keeping. When information pertaining to topics like fire safety is missing, it can lead to massive problems. Critically, it means potential life-threatening defects are not acknowledged or acted upon.
To improve safety and standards, digital record keeping is now mandatory. The “Golden Thread” regulations mean you must keep records of all safety critical information, including details of fire doors. This creates a compliance challenge. The best thing to do here is use a suitable platform to keep records and ensure they are up to date.
Issues with door assemblies
Another significant change is commercial fire doors now need certification as full units. Previously, it was only the leaf that had to comply with standards to ensure its integrity. Now, all parts must, including the frames, seals, glazing, and key hardware such as closers and hinges. This is much better for ensuring doors perform effectively and deliver the right level of fire resistance. So, if you want to ensure compliance, choose complete door sets with full certification.
Ensure compliance with fire door inspections in Middlesbrough and other areas
With the changes to regulations, it’s easy to see why there are some new challenges when it comes to compliance. It is also important to keep in mind that there have been changes to enforcement and penalties. The Building Safety Regulator is now independent, separating from the HSE. It gives them more power to enforce the law and the ability to conduct more inspections.
If you need some help, you can rely on ABC Fire Safety & Security. We provide first rate services, including inspecting different types of fire doors in various properties. We’ll give you a clear idea if you have issues with compliance.
So, get in touch and arrange fire door inspections in Middlesbrough or neighbouring areas with us. We’re flexible, working around your schedule and minimising disruption.
