Fire door assessments across Wales

Clear, practical fire door inspection and reporting for landlords, agents and property managers

If you manage properties with communal areas or entrances, an assessment may be required for compliance, mortgages or insurance

Who you are dealing with

Fire Door Assessments Wales is operated by BC Fire door compliance, led by Tom Bishop, a qualified carpenter and fire door assessor with practical, on-site experience across residential and managed properties in Carmarthenshire and wider Wales.

Assessments are carried out with a practical, site based approach, focusing on how doors perform in real buildings rather than purely theoretical standards. The aim is to provide clear, evidence-based findings that help duty holders understand the condition of their fire doors, demonstrate reasonable steps toward compliance, and make informed decisions without unnecessary disruption or pressure.

What a Fire Door Assessment actually is

A fire door assessment is a systematic inspection of each fire door to check whether it is likely to perform as intended in the event of a fire. The purpose is to identify visible defects, wear or non-compliance that could affect the doors ability to resist fire and smoke.

Each door is assessed individually against relevant guidance, including:

Requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Applicable British standards and fire door manufacturere specifications

Building Regulation requirements relevant to the age and use of the building

Best practise guidance for fire resisting doorsets in occupied buildings

The assessment considers the combined perfromance of the door leaf, frame, ironmongery, seals and closing action as a complete doorset, rather than isolated components. Findings are based on professional judgment, supported by photographic evidence and documented observations.

Fire door assessments are non-destructive and do not involve installation or remedial works., They provide clear, proportionate information to help duty holders understand risk, demonstrate reasonable steps towards compliance, and prioritise any necessary action.

What You Get From a Fire Door Assessment

Following an assessment, you will receive a structured written report for each door inspected, providing clear, evidence-based outcomes that can be retained as part of your fire safety records.

The report will typically include:

A recorded assessment outcome for each fire door

Photographic evidence supporting key findings

Identification of defects or non-compliant features relevant to performance

Clear, proportionate recommendations where action may be required

Information suitable for demonstrating reasonable steps toward compliance

Assessments are presented in a practical, easy-to-understand format, allowing duty holders to prioritise actions sensibly and make informed decisions based on risk, rather than assumption or pressure.

The aim is to provide documentation that is useful for internal records, ongoing maintenance planning, and discussion with managing agents, contractors, or enforcing authorities if required.

Who This Service Is For

Fire door assessments are intended for duty holders responsible for the safety and ongoing management of occupied buildings. This service is suitable for those who need a clear, professional assessment of fire door condition as part of their wider fire safety responsibilities.

The service is commonly used by:

Letting agents managing residential properties

Property management companies overseeing blocks of flats

Landlords with HMOs or multi-occupancy buildings

Freeholders and managing agents with communal fire doors

Commercial property managers where fire doors form part of the fire strategy

Assessments are particularly appropriate where buildings contain existing or legacy fire doors and where there is a need to understand current condition, risk, and prioritisation without unnecessary disruption.

Legal Context and Responsibilities

Fire doors play a critical role in a building’s fire safety strategy and are covered by fire safety legislation in England and Wales. Duty holders are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that fire doors are suitable, maintained, and capable of performing their intended life safety function.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsibility sits with the Responsible Person to identify fire safety risks and put appropriate control measures in place. Fire doors form part of those measures where they are provided to protect escape routes, compartmentation, or occupants.

A fire door assessment helps support this responsibility by providing documented evidence of condition at a specific point in time. It allows duty holders to:

Identify defects or deterioration that may affect performance

Demonstrate that fire doors have been reviewed as part of ongoing fire safety management

Prioritise remedial action in a proportionate and risk-based way

Assessments do not replace a full fire risk assessment and do not remove legal responsibility. They are, however, a practical tool for demonstrating reasonable steps toward compliance and maintaining clear records should they be required.

How the assessment process works

The assessment process is designed to be clear, proportionate, and minimally disruptive to occupied buildings.

Initial Enquiry
You make contact to discuss the property, number of doors, and any specific requirements. This allows the assessment to be scoped appropriately before a site visit is arranged.
Site Visit
Fire door assessments are carried out on site at an agreed time. Each applicable door is inspected individually in line with current legislation and recognised guidance.
Assessment & Recording
Findings are documented as the assessment is carried out, with photographic evidence taken where relevant to support observations and outcomes.
Report Issued
A written assessment report is provided following the visit, setting out clear outcomes and proportionate recommendations for each door assessed.

The process is intended to support ongoing fire safety management and provide clear, usable information without unnecessary disruption or pressure.

Areas covered

Fire Door Assessments Wales provides fire door assessment services across Wales, with a primary focus on Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas.

Assessments are commonly carried out in:

Carmarthenshire

Pembrokeshire

Ceredigion

Swansea and Neath Port Talbot

Llanelli and the wider South West Wales region

Assessments in other parts of Wales can be accommodated by arrangement, depending on location, scale, and access requirements.

Being locally based allows for flexible scheduling, practical site visits, and a clear understanding of the types of buildings commonly found across the region.

Enquiries and Assessments

If you would like to discuss a fire door assessment or obtain further information, you are welcome to get in touch.

Enquiries can be made to discuss property details, scope of assessment, and availability, allowing the service to be tailored appropriately before any site visit is arranged.

Contact details:

Email: bcfiredoorcompliance@gmail.com

Phone: 07595 868863

There is no obligation to proceed following an initial conversation.

Disclaimer

Fire door assessments are visual, non-destructive inspections based on observable condition at the time of assessment and are informed by current legislation and recognised guidance. Assessments do not constitute a fire risk assessment, certification, or guarantee of performance, and do not remove the legal responsibilities of the Responsible Person.