Fire Door Failures in UK Schools: What You Need to Know
- Mark Ardron
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Real Cases, Real Consequences
Across the UK, schools — including some of the most respected independent institutions — have faced enforcement action, fines, and reputational damage following fire safety breaches. Many of these incidents have one thing in common: fire door failures.
A few recent examples include:
Wakefield Grammar School Foundation was prosecuted for failing to maintain general fire precautions and complete a suitable Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School received fines following multiple fire safety breaches, including issues with fire doors and escape routes.
2025 enforcement cases have also targeted academy trusts and their contractors, highlighting that outsourcing maintenance does not remove the school’s legal responsibility.
These cases show a growing regulatory focus on passive fire protection — and especially, on fire doors.
Common Fire Door Failings in Schools
Our inspection data and enforcement case reviews reveal several recurring — and entirely preventable — issues:
❌ Fire doors altered or cut down on site, invalidating certification
❌ Doors that don’t self-close or latch correctly
❌ Doors wedged open or blocked by furniture
❌ No inspection or maintenance records
❌ Missing or outdated Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)
Any of these failings can compromise your ability to protect pupils and staff during an evacuation — and create legal liability under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
What the Law Now Requires
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, school leaders and responsible persons must:
Inspect fire doors regularly (recommended at least annually)
Keep clear records of installation, certification, and maintenance
Ensure all fire doors are unmodified, third-party certified, and compliant with BS 476-22 or BS EN 1634-1
Record and complete remedial works promptly
Compliance is not just about paperwork — it’s about maintaining life-saving barriers that contain smoke and fire.
Your Fire Door Action Plan
The School Safety People recommends every school take the following practical steps:
✅ Review your Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) – Check that all fire doors are included within your fire strategy.
✅ Book a Fire Door Inspection – Especially if one hasn’t been completed within the last 12 months.
✅ Introduce a Fire Door Passport System – Maintain a live, digital record of inspections, repairs, and certifications.
✅ Keep escape routes clear – Remove obstructions and never prop open fire doors.
✅ Maintain contractor competency records – Only use qualified and approved fire-door installers or inspectors.
✅ Train your staff – Make sure all staff know how to spot and report a failed or damaged fire door.
Introducing the Fire Door Passport System for Schools
Our new Fire Door Passport System gives schools a complete, door-by-door digital log to help manage compliance and demonstrate due diligence.
With this system, you can:
Track inspection history
Record faults and repairs
Provide evidence for inspectors, insurers, and governors
Prove ongoing compliance
We’ll create your Fire Door Passport during our first inspection visit. Each door is uniquely identified and entered into your secure digital register for future management.
Fire Safety in Historic or Listed School Buildings
If your school operates within a heritage or listed property, special care is essential. Modifying or trimming original doors — even for vision panels — can invalidate fire certification.
Our team works closely with approved suppliers to source bespoke, compliant fire doors that meet both fire regulations and heritage requirements, ensuring safety without compromising your school’s character.
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