Significant changes to fire door legislation came into effect on 2 March 2025 through updates to Approved Document B of The Building Regulations 2010. These updates strengthen fire safety rules, focusing on fire doors and properly handling fire safety information. Following tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire, the new regulations aim to improve fire door standards and management in residential and commercial premises.
The changes affect building owners, responsible persons, contractors, and managers. To help them prepare and comply, we’ve outlined the key amendments.
Quick Overview: What Are the Key Changes in the 2025 Fire Door Legislation?
The amendments taking effect in March 2025 include several important updates:
- Fire safety information – Regulation 38 now requires more detailed fire safety information to be given to the responsible person and confirmed.
- Notification requirements – Contractors must inform authorities when fire safety information is provided and confirmed.
- Technical updates – National fire reaction classes are removed in favour of European standards like BS EN 13501.
- Care home rules – Sprinkler systems and fire door compartmentation are now required in all care homes.
- Assessment guidelines – Clearer instructions on assessing products when direct testing is not possible.
These changes reflect a more rigorous approach to fire safety. It emphasises clearer accountability and more structured information sharing between all parties. Let’s look at each amendment in more detail.
How Will Regulation 38 Changes Affect Fire Safety Information?
One of the most substantial changes relates to Regulation 38, which governs the provision of fire safety information. The amendments call for a more comprehensive framework:
Mandatory Information Provision
The person carrying out building work must provide complete fire safety information to the responsible person by the completion date or first occupation, whichever comes first.
Acknowledgement Requirement
The responsible person must confirm in writing that they’ve received the information and that it’s sufficient to maintain the building’s fire safety systems.
Notification to Authorities
The contractor must notify the relevant authority that the information has been provided and acknowledged (or efforts to obtain acknowledgement).
Documentation of Fire Door Information
Fire safety information must include details of all fire doors, including those with self-closing devices.
This enhanced information flow ensures crucial knowledge about fire doors is not lost during handover – historically a weak point in building safety management.
What Are the Responsibilities of the ‘Responsible Person’ Under the New Legislation?
The ‘responsible person’ as defined by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 now has expanded duties. As already mentioned, this includes confirming they’ve received and reviewed the fire door information.
Other tasks include:
- Ensuring fire doors are regularly inspected and maintained as required by law.
- Conducting thorough fire risk assessments that cover fire door conditions and provisions.
- Keeping detailed records of fire door inspections and repairs.
Failing to meet these responsibilities could result in serious legal consequences, especially if poor fire door management leads to injury or death in a fire.
What Does an Effective Fire Door Inspection Involve?
Regular inspections are essential to keep fire doors compliant and functional. A thorough inspection should include:
- Certification and labelling – Verify the door has the correct fire rating certification.
- Gaps and seals – Ensure gaps around the door meet standards. This means 2-4mm at the sides and top, up to 10mm at the bottom. Check that intumescent seals are intact.
- Closing mechanism – Confirm the door closes fully and latches securely.
- Hinges – Check that all hinges are secure. There must be no missing screws or signs of damage.
- Glass panels – Ensure the panels have fire-resistant glazing. Inspect glazed sections for cracks.
- Door leaf and frame – Look for any damage that could weaken fire resistance.
Fire doors should be inspected at least every six months, with more frequent checks in high-traffic areas or buildings at greater fire risk.
What Technical Standards Will Apply to Fire Doors from 2025?
The 2025 amendments focus more on European standards and remove references to some national classification systems. The BS EN 13501 series will be fully adopted to classify the fire performance of doors and building materials. Fire doors must be tested or assessed to confirm their performance. Their effectiveness depends on the surfaces they’re attached to, with testing reflecting how they’ll be used.
Fire door classifications will still be based on resistance duration, with ratings such as FD30, FD60, FD90, FD120, and FD240, indicating the number of minutes of protection they provide. These classifications will help in choosing the right fire doors based on risks and regulations for different areas in a building.
How Will the New Legislation Affect Different Types of Buildings?
The updated fire safety regulations will affect buildings differently depending on their purpose.
Residential Buildings
The changes mainly impact fire safety information and technical standards. The improved information flow will help manage fire doors more effectively in the long term.
Care Homes
Care homes will see vital changes, including a new requirement for sprinkler systems throughout the building. This works alongside existing fire door rules, which include:
- Limiting bedrooms to one single or double bed
- Proper compartmentation with fire-rated doors
- Maximum travel distances for evacuation
Commercial Buildings
For non-residential buildings, the legislation stresses the importance of clear fire safety information and proper handover procedures. Commercial building owners must ensure their fire doors are classified correctly based on risk assessments and building use.
How Can Building Owners Ensure Compliance?
Compliance needs a proactive approach, beginning with a thorough understanding of the current regulations. Key next steps include:
- Conducting regular fire door audits
- Updating fire risk assessments
- Establishing robust information management systems
- Inspecting regimes consistently
- Training staff properly
For effective fire safety measures, building owners should partner with certified suppliers like Bradbury Group for reliable fire safety equipment. Keeping clear, up-to-date records of all inspections and maintenance is equally important. By taking these steps, owners can significantly improve fire safety and better protect the lives of those within their buildings.
How Will the Transitional Arrangements Work?
The amendments came into play on 2 March 2025, with transitional arrangements for projects already in progress:
The 2019 edition will continue to apply where:
- A building notice or application was submitted before 2 March 2025, AND
- Work has started and is sufficiently progressed before that day, OR starts and progresses within six months.
Work is considered “sufficiently progressed” when:
- For new construction – When foundation concrete pouring or piling has started
- For existing building work – When that work has started
- For change of use – When work to effect that change has started
How Can Bradbury Group Help?
Bradbury Group helps customers comply with fire safety regulations by offering certified fire doors rated from FD30 to FD240, ensuring the right solution for any building. Our experts stay up to date with the latest legal requirements and provide guidance on choosing the right fire doors. We also supply clear fire safety documentation with every door to make compliance easier.
Quality and reliability are our top priorities. All our fire doors undergo strict testing to ensure they perform in real fire situations. We also offer customisation options, allowing doors to be tailored to specific needs while still meeting all safety standards.
Navigating the 2025 Fire Safety Changes with Confidence
The 2025 amendments represent a significant advancement in fire safety through enhanced information requirements, clearer technical standards, and strengthened accountability. Understanding these changes will help ensure compliance while maintaining the highest fire safety standards.
Bradbury Group remains committed to supporting customers through these changes with high-quality fire doors, expert guidance, and comprehensive documentation to create safer buildings and better protect occupants.
For more information about preparing for the 2025 fire door legislation, contact our expert team today.
Additional sources: