Fire Door Legislation 2026

The legislative landscape surrounding fire doors in the UK has undergone significant change in recent years. Following the Grenfell Tower inquiry, the government overhauled its fire safety framework to introduce stricter requirements around inspection, maintenance, and accountability. For building owners, facilities managers, architects, and responsible persons, understanding these obligations is essential for both legal compliance and the protection of building occupants.

We provide a clear overview of the key legislation affecting fire doors in 2026, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022, updates to Approved Document B, the revised BS 8214:2026, and what these mean in practice for different building types.

What Legislation Governs Fire Doors in 2026?

The current legal framework for fire doors in the UK is shaped by several interconnected pieces of legislation and standards. Together, they have shifted fire door compliance from a broadly advisory position to one of mandatory enforcement with clear accountability.

The Fire Safety Act 2021

The Fire Safety Act 2021 expanded the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) to explicitly include flat entrance doors of multi-occupancy residential buildings. 

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

These regulations remain the cornerstone of fire door compliance in 2026. They introduced specific, mandatory inspection requirements for multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height. The responsible person must now carry out:

• Quarterly checks of all fire doors in common parts — this includes inspection of the door leaf, frame, self-closing devices, and all associated hardware to confirm everything is in good working order.
• Annual checks of flat entrance doors — the responsible person must inspect flat entrance doors that lead onto the building’s common parts, including self-closing devices. Access to individual flats is required. 

The Building Safety Act 2022

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced the concept of the ‘Golden Thread’ — a requirement for a digital record of all fire safety information throughout a building’s lifecycle. The Act ensures that critical safety data remains accessible, accurate, and up to date, providing a transparent audit trail for regulators and duty holders alike.

Regulation 38

Under Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations 2010, anyone carrying out building work must provide fire safety information to the responsible person upon completion. Updated guidance has reinforced the importance of this handover, and it is typically one of the first documents an inspector will request.

What Has Changed with Approved Document B?

Approved Document B provides the statutory guidance for fire safety in building design in England. A notable update taking effect on 30 September 2026 requires new residential buildings over 18 metres in height to include a second staircase. This change has direct implications for fire door specification, as additional protected escape routes require additional fire-rated doorsets to maintain compartmentation and protect evacuation paths.

What Does BS 8214:2026 Mean for Fire Doors?

Published on 20 March 2026, BS 8214:2026 represents a substantial revision of the long-standing code of practice for fire doors. The new standard replaces BS 8214:2016 and marks an important step forward in several areas.

Unlike its predecessor, which focused predominantly on timber-based assemblies, BS 8214:2026 now covers fire doors of many materials, including steel, glazed metal, and composite designs. This broadening of scope reflects the diversity of fire door solutions used across the UK’s construction and refurbishment sectors.

Other key developments in the revised standard include:

• A shift from prescriptive to evidence-based guidance — rather than detailing specific construction methods, BS 8214:2026 focuses on informing users about the supporting evidence needed for any fire door construction within scope.
• Improved installation guidance — Section 9.4 has been strengthened to prevent misinterpretation and non-compliant installations, alongside improved guidance on sealing the interface between fire door frames and surrounding structures.
• Regulatory alignment — the standard aligns with current UK regulatory requirements, including UKCA and CE marking, and reflects duties introduced through the Building Safety Act, the Fire Safety Act, and associated legislation.

The standard also incorporates updated guidance on smoke control, with clearer information on the use of seals and alignment with changes to BS 9991.

Where Does the Law Require Fire Doors?

The requirement for fire doors depends on the building’s type, height, and use.

• Commercial and non-domestic buildings — every non-domestic building must have a fire risk assessment under the RRFSO, which defines where fire doors are required to protect escape routes.
• Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) — fire doors are generally required for any room opening onto an escape route, including kitchens and communal lounges.
• Private houses — under Approved Document B, fire doors are required where a house has an integral garage or is three or more storeys high, including loft conversions.
• High-rise residential buildings — the new second staircase requirement for buildings over 18 metres significantly increases the number of fire-rated doorsets needed to protect secondary escape routes.

Do I Need FD30 or FD60 Fire Doors?

Selecting the correct fire rating is fundamental to both compliance and effective fire protection. FD30 doors provide 30 minutes of fire resistance and are standard in most domestic applications. However, FD60 or higher ratings are typically required in several scenarios:

• Buildings over 18 metres — longer evacuation times often necessitate 60-minute fire resistance or above.
• Underground areas — basement levels and underground car parks almost always require a minimum of 60 minutes fire resistance.
• Compartmentation walls — doors within walls separating different fire compartments, such as commercial premises from residential areas above, usually require FD60 as a minimum.
• Plant rooms — areas containing high-voltage equipment, boilers, or other high-risk services.

For the highest-risk industrial or commercial environments, fire doors rated to FD90, FD120, or FD240 may be specified to provide extended protection.

What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

Failing to comply with fire door legislation places building occupants at serious risk. Fire doors that are not properly maintained, inspected, or specified may fail to contain fire and smoke during an emergency, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Non-compliance can also result in failed fire risk assessments, enforcement notices, significant fines, and potential prosecution of the responsible person. 

What Information Must Be Provided to Residents?

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons must provide residents with information on the importance of fire doors to the building’s fire safety. This should cover keeping fire doors closed at all times, not tampering with fire doors or self-closing devices, and reporting any faults or damage promptly. 

Bradbury Group’s Certified Steel Fire Doors

Bradbury Group manufactures a comprehensive range of steel fire doors rated from FD30 to FD240, providing up to four hours of certified fire resistance. Every doorset is developed, designed, and produced in-house at our 135,000 sq. ft. UK manufacturing facility, with independently verified certification from globally recognised testing bodies. 

With steel fire doors available in as little as three days and over 30 years of manufacturing expertise, we support architects, contractors, and building managers in meeting the demands of today’s fire safety legislation with confidence.

To discuss fire door specifications for your project, contact our team today.