Where Are Fire Doors Needed in Commercial Premises

April 11th, 2025

Last updated: April 11th, 2025

Fire safety is never just a background concern. It’s a legal responsibility, and fire doors are a key part of meeting it. So where are fire doors needed in commercial premises?

Though they might blend into the surroundings, these specially designed doors are essential in slowing the spread of fire and smoke, giving people more time to escape and helping fire crews respond before things get worse.

For businesses across the country, fire doors are more than a safety feature. They’re a legal requirement in many situations and are tightly regulated under national fire safety legislation and building standards.

What the Law Says

At the heart of fire safety for businesses is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This law applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales and places responsibility on what’s known as the “responsible person.” In a business setting, this is usually the employer, business owner, or landlord. Their duty is to take general fire precautions, which include ensuring that fire doors are installed where necessary and are properly maintained. Northern Ireland and Scotland follow similar rules through their respective fire safety laws.

Alongside this is Building Regulations Approved Document B, which sets out where fire doors should be placed in new commercial buildings or during major refurbishments. These rules aim to make sure buildings are divided into compartments to control the spread of fire and keep escape routes clear for as long as possible.

Where Are Fire Doors Needed?

So, where exactly are fire doors needed in a business setting? The answer often depends on the layout and use of the building. One of the most common requirements is along escape routes. If a corridor leads to a fire exit, any doors that open onto that corridor may need to be fire doors. This is to ensure that, in the event of a fire, people can safely exit the building without being exposed to flames or smoke.

Fire doors are also crucial in areas where there’s a higher risk of fire breaking out. That includes rooms with electrical equipment, kitchens, or areas used for storing flammable materials. If there’s a noticeable difference in fire risk between two parts of a building, a fire door will often be required to separate them. It must be considered in the fire risk assessment that is put in place, which is a legal requirement.

In multi-storey buildings, stairwells and lift shafts are critical zones. Fire can spread quickly through these vertical channels, so fire doors are used to protect them and contain flames to one floor. This compartmentalisation is essential in preventing a fire from engulfing an entire building in a short time.

Any premises that see regular public footfall all have to think carefully about how fire doors are used. Larger sites may have dozens of fire doors, and each one plays a specific role in the wider fire safety strategy. In open-plan spaces, fire doors can be used to create protected zones or allow for safe passage to exits.

Fire Door Maintenance

But having fire doors in place isn’t enough on its own. If they’re not correctly installed or maintained, they can’t do their job properly. A fire door that doesn’t close automatically, has gaps in the frame, or has missing seals won’t provide the level of protection it’s supposed to. That’s why UK businesses are expected to inspect and maintain their fire doors regularly.

The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) has become a useful resource for businesses, providing guidance and certification for those responsible for fire safety. In many cases, building insurers also expect businesses to show that their fire doors are in good working order and meet the required standards.

It’s worth remembering that fire doors are tested to very specific standards, most commonly rated FD30 or FD60, meaning they can hold back fire for 30 or 60 minutes, respectively. Every second counts in a fire situation, and those extra minutes can be critical for evacuation or fire suppression.

Ultimately, fire doors are a core part of any commercial fire safety setup. They’re not just about compliance, they’re about keeping people and property safe. From a high-tech office to a rural pub, if it’s a business premises in the UK, fire doors likely play a role somewhere behind the scenes. And for good reason. When the alarm sounds, those doors can buy the time needed to save lives.

Robinsons Facilities Services offers a full range of fire suppression and fire protection services for your commercial property, as well as a variety of maintenance services. Trust our expert team to keep your business safe and compliant with UK legislation.