Under Irish fire safety law, the building owner or manager (often called the Person In Control ) must ensure that all fire doors within the premises are fit for purpose, properly maintained, and regularly inspected.

You’re responsible for:

• Making sure each door is a certified fire door (not a standard timber door).

• Ensuring inspections are carried out by a competent person.

• Acting promptly on any repairs or remedial work.

• Keeping records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs.

Even if maintenance is outsourced, the legal duty remains with you as the building owner or operator.

A compliant fire door must:

• Have a visible certification label or plug (usually at the top edge or hinge side).

• Close fully and reliably without sticking or slamming.

• Have correct gaps (3–4mm around the sides/top/bottom)

• Contain correct fire and smoke seals 

• Be fitted with fire-rated hinges, closers, and locks.

• Correct signage to be affixed 

If you’re unsure, a professional Fire Door Compliance Survey will confirm which doors meet the required standard and identify any issues needing attention.

During an inspection, each door is assessed against recognised Irish and European standards — including IS 9990, BS 8214, and Building Control Regulations Part B.

A qualified inspector will:

• Check certification, labels, and traceability.

• Measure gaps and inspect seals.

• Examine hinges, closers, glazing, and frames.

• Test door operation and self-closing function.

• Verify signage and accessibility.

You’ll receive a detailed compliance report outlining each door’s status — compliant, minor remedial works required, or major non-compliance — along with photos and clear recommendations.

If a door fails inspection it doesn’t necessarily mean a replacement is required.

In many cases, minor remedial works — replacing seals, adjusting closers, or replacing door hardware for certified fire rated components — can bring it back to compliance.

However, if the door or frame is badly damaged, uncertified, or structurally altered, a certified replacement may be needed.

You’ll receive a clear, prioritised action plan so you can budget and schedule repairs efficiently.

Irish best practice recommends:

• Every six months for standard buildings as per Guide for persons having control under Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 

• Every three months (or more frequently) for high-traffic areas such as hospitals, schools, and apartment blocks.

Additionally, routine in-house visual checks can be carried out weekly/monthly by on-site staff to identify obvious damage between professional inspections. In particular, it should be ensured that:

1. Heat-activated seals and smoke seals are undamaged.

2. Door leaves are not structurally damaged or excessively bowed or deformed.

3. Gaps between the door leaf and the frame are not so small as to be likely to bind, or so large as to prevent effective fire and smoke-sealing.

4. Hanging devices, securing devices, self-closing devices and automatic release mechanisms are operating correctly.

Keep a simple but complete paper trail — the Golden Thread of your fire door safety:

• Inspection reports and photographs.

• Maintenance and repair logs.

• Certificates for replacement components or new doors.

• Correspondence with your inspection company or maintenance team.

These records demonstrate due diligence to fire officers, insurers, and auditors, and help maintain your building’s ongoing compliance.

Fire door safety performance and installation in Ireland must align with:

• Irish Building Regulations – Technical Guidance Document Part B (Fire Safety) Vol 1 2024

• Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003

• The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 under section 19 requires employers to carry out a risk assessment for all Health and Safety issues including emergency egress and for these to be recorded. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 transpose both the EU Framework Directive (89/391/EC) and the Workplace Directive (89/654/EC). These directives resulted in the UK Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and much of the guidance written on this is relevant in Ireland

• Fire Safety Guide for Building Owners and Operators for persons having control under Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003

• IS 9990:2021 Fire Doors – Code of Practice

• IS 3218 – Fire detection and alarm systems (for hold-open devices)

• BS 8214:2016 Timber-based Fire Door Assemblies

• BS EN 1634 / BS 476 – Fire resistance testing standards

Our inspections reference these standards and current industry best practice, giving you full assurance that your building meet current requirements.

Because compliance is about proof as much as performance.

In the event of a fire, inspection records are often reviewed by loss adjusters and fire officers.

Maintaining up-to-date fire door maintenance records demonstrates that you have a proactive approach to passive fire strategy and have taken the necessary legislative steps to protect life and property, fulfilling your duty of care as the Person in Control of the premises.

Maintaining fire safety records is the law , failure to comply is an offence If your fire doors are non-compliant in Ireland, you could face legal and financial penalties, such as fines up to €5,000 and potential daily fines for continued Fire Safety non-compliance. Local authorities can also take legal action, including seeking court injunctions for corrective work or prosecuting you, which could result in fines or even a prison sentence of up to six months. 

Additionally, your insurance may be invalidated, and the fire safety authorities can issue a Fire Safety Notice requiring immediate rectification, potentially leading to the closure of a commercial premises if the issues are severe.  

Partner with a qualified inspection company that:

• Understands the Irish regulatory environment.

• Provides clear reports and follow-up guidance.

• Offers scheduled re-inspections to maintain compliance.

ON SIGHT Fire Door Inspections offers ongoing compliance support across the Leinster region — taking care of the technical detail so you can focus on managing your property with confidence.

The golden thread is a key concept introduced after the Grenfell Tower tragedy to ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous management of building safety information throughout a building’s life.

In simple terms, it means there should always be a clear, traceable record of how fire safety measures — including fire doors — were designed, installed, inspected, and maintained.

For fire doors, the Golden Thread includes:

• Proof of certification and installation details

• Regular inspection and maintenance records

• Documentation of any repairs, replacements, or modifications

• Ongoing access to accurate information for the building’s Responsible Person and fire safety professionals

Maintaining this Golden Thread ensures that everyone — from the installer to the building manager — understands the history and condition of each fire door, supporting legal compliance and occupant safety.