Fire Door Regulations for Devon Landlords: What You Must Know in 2026
If you own or manage a residential building in Devon, fire door compliance is no longer optional. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — which came into force in January 2023 — introduced specific, legally enforceable obligations for fire door inspection and maintenance. Ignoring them puts lives at risk and exposes you to serious legal consequences.
What the regulations require
For residential buildings over 11 metres in height, the responsible person must:
- Check all common area fire doors quarterly — that includes doors to stairwells, corridors, plant rooms and any other common areas
- Check all flat entrance doors annually — this applies to every flat in the building, which means gaining access to individual units
For buildings under 11 metres, fire door checks are still required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — the frequency is determined by your fire risk assessment, but quarterly or six-monthly checks are standard practice.
Who is the "responsible person"?
Under the legislation, the responsible person is typically:
- The building owner or freeholder
- The managing agent acting on their behalf
- The employer, in the case of commercial premises
If you're a landlord with a managing agent, responsibility doesn't automatically transfer — you need to confirm in writing who is responsible for fire door compliance.
What counts as a compliant fire door check?
A proper fire door inspection covers far more than a visual glance. Each door must be assessed for:
- Condition of the door leaf and frame
- Intumescent strips and smoke seals — present, undamaged, correctly fitted
- Hinges — correct number, correctly fixed, no signs of damage
- Door closer — functioning correctly, closing the door fully from any position
- Signage — correct fire door signage in place
- Gaps — no excessive gaps between door and frame when closed
Any deficiencies must be recorded and remedied promptly. A door that fails inspection must be repaired or replaced — leaving a non-compliant door in place is a breach of the regulations.
What happens if you don't comply?
The consequences of non-compliance are serious. The responsible person can face:
- Enforcement notices from the local fire and rescue service
- Prohibition notices preventing occupation of the building
- Unlimited fines
- Prosecution and, in serious cases, imprisonment
Beyond the legal risk, a non-compliant fire door that fails during a fire can have devastating consequences for occupants.
Getting compliant in Devon
FireShut provides fire door inspection programmes for landlords and property managers across Devon — Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Teignbridge, South Hams and beyond. We carry out thorough inspections to BS 8214, provide written reports after every visit, and carry out any remedial works required.
Get a free quote for your Devon property and we'll put together an inspection programme that keeps you compliant year-round.