Your flat’s front door is a fire door, and in many blocks the law now requires us to check it once a year. We have made a short film that explains why. It runs for under three minutes.
Why your front door matters
Most fires in a block of flats start inside a flat. A fire door that is closed and in good condition is built to hold back fire and smoke for at least 30 minutes. That keeps the corridor and stairs clear, so your neighbours can get out and firefighters can get in.
It only works if the door shuts by itself and has not been altered.
What the law says
Three pieces of law in England cover flat front doors:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires whoever is responsible for a building to keep its fire safety measures working.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 made it clear that this includes flat entrance doors.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced regular fire door checks. In buildings over 11 metres tall, flat entrance doors must be checked at least every 12 months and communal fire doors every 3 months.
These changes followed the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. In lower buildings the general duty to keep fire doors effective still applies.
What we check
The check takes a few minutes. We look at the door from the landing and from just inside your hallway. We do not need to go any further into your home.
We look at five things:
The door and frame, for damage, holes or alterations
The self-closer, which must shut the door fully without help
The strips and seals around the edge
The hinges and the gaps around the door
Any glass and the letter plate
We will write to you before we visit. If you are out, we will try again.
What we ask of you
Keep the door shut when it is not in use, and never wedge it open.
Leave the self-closer on. If the door feels heavy or slams, tell us. It can usually be adjusted.
Ask us before you change anything, including a new door, lock, letter plate, cat flap or spy hole.
Report damage straight away at butlins.fixflo.com or on 0116 270 3705.
If your door needs work
We will write to you with what we found and what needs doing. Your lease sets out who is responsible for the front door, so please check it or ask us. Repairs should be carried out by someone competent in fire doors, because ordinary trimming or patching can remove the fire rating.
If you let your flat
Please tell your tenant that the front door is a fire door, and help us arrange access for the yearly check.
Questions?
Call us on 0116 270 3705 or email enquiries@butlinps.co.uk.
This post is general guidance on the law in England and is not legal advice. Responsibility for a flat’s front door depends on the wording of your lease.
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