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Fire doors

Fire doors help stop fire and smoke from spreading for at least 30 minutes.  

Always keep fire doors shut. If they’re open, blocked or damaged, they will not protect you in a fire. 

Where to find fire doors 

You’ll find fire doors in shared areas like corridors and stairwells, or your front door may also be a fire door.  

Most fire doors: 

  • are made of wood or metal 
  • close automatically using a device at the top of the frame 

If the fire safety team inspects your home and decides your flat front door needs to be replaced or upgraded to a fire-resistant door, we’ll do this free of charge. This applies to leaseholders too. Leaseholders are still responsible for maintaining their door after it's replaced. 

Report a problem 

If a fire door is damaged or does not close properly, you should report a repair to the repairs team. You should also contact them if you want to change a lock on a fire door.  

If you have any other fire safety concerns or questions, contact our Fire Safety Advisers. You can reach them by

How you can help 

Every part of a fire door is designed to keep you safe.  

Do: 

  • ensure the door closes securely into the frame 
  • check for damage to hinges, latches or closing devices 
  • look for gaps around the edges 
  • let staff or contractors into your property to check your fire door 

Do not: 

  • wedge fire doors open 
  • install extra doors or grilles 
  • remove the self-closer 
  • change or replace your front door 
  • install locks without advice, particularly one that needs a key to open from the inside 
  • cut or drill into the door or doorframe 
  • paint either side of the door or doorframe 
  • remove the door from the frame or rehang it 
  • install cat flaps, door handles, door knockers or hard-wired doorbells - you can use a wireless, stick-on doorbell 

Translated guidance

Find translated information on fire doors in the following languages:

Fire doors in high-rise buildings 

We’re installing fire-compliant doors in all our residential buildings over 11 metres (or 5 storeys). These doors are tested to block fire and smoke for at least 30 minutes. 

Fire door inspections 

We carry out annual checks on flat entrance fire doors and quarterly checks on communal fire doors. 

Find out more about fire door inspections. 

Watch our video: how fire doors keep you safe

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