If you own or manage a commercial building in Ireland, fire door inspection is not something you can skip. Irish law is clear on this. Furthermore, the consequences of non-compliance are serious. With updated fire safety regulations taking effect in May 2025, now is a good time to make sure your building is fully up to date.

Here is everything you need to know.

Is fire door inspection in Ireland a legal requirement?

Yes, Irish law requires fire door inspections for commercial properties. The legal framework spans several pieces of legislation. These include the Fire Services Acts of 1981 and 2003, the Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2019, and Technical Guidance Document B. Together they place a clear duty on building owners, employers, landlords and facilities managers to keep fire doors in safe working condition.

In addition, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025 came into effect on 1 May 2025 and strengthened these requirements further. As a result, owners now need Fire Safety Certificates for a wider range of building alterations. Inspectors also scrutinise ongoing maintenance records more closely than before.

How often does fire door inspection in Ireland need to happen?

Every commercial fire door needs an inspection at least every six months. However, high-traffic doors on busy corridors or main entrances need more frequent checks because the extra footfall causes faster wear. Similarly, newly occupied buildings need more frequent inspections in the first year, as issues with fit, alignment or hardware tend to appear early.

In addition, the fire rating of the door also determines frequency. Doors carry either an FD30 or FD60 rating. As a result, the inspector checks whether the door still meets that rating based on its current condition.

Who is responsible for fire door inspections?

The building owner, employer, landlord or facilities manager carries the legal responsibility, depending on the nature of the property. In commercial buildings, for example, the Building Control Amendment Regulations require a competent person to carry out regular inspections and certification. In apartments and houses in multiple occupancy, on the other hand, the Fire Services Acts place the duty on landlords.

Importantly, documenting every inspection is not optional. Your insurer can request these records at any time. So can the local authority fire services. In fact, many insurers now require valid fire door inspection certification before they issue or renew building insurance.

What do inspectors actually check?

A proper fire door inspection covers the entire door set, not just the door leaf itself. Every component matters because a single damaged or uncertified part can compromise the entire fire rating.

At Procheck our inspectors check the following on every visit:

First, the self-closing device gets tested to confirm the door closes fully into the frame without help. Next, our inspector checks the intumescent strips and smoke seals to confirm they make full contact with the door edge or frame and show no damage. We then measure the gap between the door and frame and check it against the required tolerance. In addition, hinges get checked for missing or loose screws and signs of wear. Our inspector also checks any glazing in the door panels to confirm it carries fire-resistant certification. Finally, certification labels or plugs on the door confirm the correct fire rating for its location.

What are the consequences of non-compliance?

The local authority fire services can issue improvement or prohibition notices. They can also pursue prosecution for serious breaches. As a result, building owners face financial penalties. In more serious cases, gross negligence can lead to criminal liability.

Furthermore, if a fire breaks out and your inspections were not up to date, your insurer can refuse the claim entirely. The scale of the problem in Irish buildings makes this a very real risk. Around 75% of inspected fire doors fail to meet safety standards. On top of that, nearly a third have incorrect installation from the outset. For this reason, regular professional inspections are the only reliable way to catch these issues early.

What happens after an inspection?

After every inspection, Procheck provides a detailed written report. It covers the condition of each door set, any defects we found, and the work needed to bring non-compliant doors up to standard. Where a door set needs replacement, we advise on the right option and issue certification on completion.

We also set up a maintenance schedule so your next inspection is already planned. As a result, you will not need to keep track of it yourself.

Who can carry out fire door inspection in Ireland?

A competent and certified person must carry out the inspection. In other words, you cannot hand this to a general maintenance operative or an uncertified contractor. The inspector needs the training and knowledge to assess fire ratings, check tolerances correctly and spot defects that would affect the door's performance in a fire.

At Procheck, our team holds the training and certification to inspect, report on and certify fire doors to current Irish standards. We work with businesses, schools, nursing homes, hotels, creches and property managers across Connacht.

Covering Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Galway and Leitrim

Procheck is based in Ballina, Co. Mayo and provides fire door inspection services across Connacht. We carry out six-monthly and annual inspections, provide full written reports, and certify fire doors to current Irish standards.

To book an inspection or get a quote, contact us at info@procheck.ie or call 086 8570303.