Fire doors in healthcare facilities are a critical component of passive fire protection. Fire safety in these settings is not an abstract concept or a theoretical exercise. It is a core operational requirement that directly affects patient safety, staff protection, and regulatory compliance.
Among passive fire protection measures, fire doors are among the most critical, and most commonly misunderstood, components of a building’s fire strategy. Fire doors in healthcare settings do far more than simply “resist fire.” They are integral to compartmentation, smoke control, and safe evacuation, particularly where occupants may have reduced mobility or rely on assisted evacuation.
In Ireland, their importance is clearly recognised in the Building Regulations, Technical Guidance Document B (Fire Safety), and HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) for designated centres.
The Scale of the Problem
Data from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), based on over 100,000 inspections carried out in 2021, reveals a concerning picture across the UK and Ireland.
Healthcare buildings had the highest number of fire door inspection failures, alongside local authorities, housing associations, and private housing.
The Role of Fire Doors in Healthcare Facilities
Defend-in-Place Strategy
Healthcare buildings are designed on the principle of defend-in-place, supported by compartmentation and Progressive Horizontal Evacuation (PHE). Fire doors in healthcare facilities define the boundaries of fire compartments and sub-compartments, giving staff time to move patients horizontally away from danger rather than relying on immediate, full evacuation.
For this strategy to work, fire doors must perform as intended. A single defective fire door, one that does not close properly, has excessive gaps, or has been incorrectly modified, can allow smoke and hot gases to spread rapidly, undermining the building’s overall fire safety design.
Critical Risk
In healthcare settings, smoke inhalation presents a greater risk than flame spread. Smoke can travel faster than fire and is especially dangerous to patients with respiratory conditions, reduced mobility, or cognitive impairment who cannot self-evacuate.
What Is a Fire Door Assembly?
A fire door is only as good as its installation. Under Irish guidance, a fire door should be viewed as a complete fire door assembly (or fire door set), comprising multiple components that must work together.
Door Leaf
The door itself must be certified to provide the required fire resistance rating (e.g. FD30 or FD60). Timber fire doors are typically 44mm thick for FD30 and 54mm for FD60.
Door Frame
Must be compatible with the door leaf and correctly fixed to the surrounding wall. Frames should be minimum 30mm thick for FD30S doors and 44mm for FD60S doors.
Intumescent Seals
Expand when exposed to heat (typically at 200°C) to seal gaps between door and frame, preventing fire and smoke passage. Essential for fire resistance.
Smoke Seals
Prevent cold smoke spread in early fire stages. Required where doors open onto escape routes or form part of a smoke control strategy. Denoted by ‘S’ suffix (e.g. FD30S).
Self-Closing Device
Must close the door fully from any angle. Overhead closers or concealed devices must be fire-tested and correctly adjusted for the door weight.
Ironmongery
Hinges (minimum three, melting point above 800°C), handles, locks, and latches must all be fire-rated and installed according to test evidence.
Fire Door Ratings for Healthcare Buildings
Fire doors are classified based on how long they can resist fire penetration. In Ireland and the UK, fire doors must be tested to BS 476 Part 22 or the European standard BS EN 1634-1.
| Rating | Fire Resistance | Typical Thickness | Common Uses in Healthcare |
|---|---|---|---|
| FD30 | 30 minutes | 44mm | Bedroom doors, corridor doors, general compartmentation |
| FD30S | 30 minutes + smoke control | 44mm | Escape routes, smoke lobbies, stairwell doors |
| FD60 | 60 minutes | 54mm | High-risk areas, plant rooms, major compartment walls |
| FD60S | 60 minutes + smoke control | 54mm | Protected stairways, high-risk escape routes |
Important Note
From September 2029, new or replacement fire doors in the UK must be classified using EN 1634-1 / EN 13501 rather than BS 476. Irish providers should monitor for similar regulatory alignment.
Fire Door Installation Requirements in Healthcare
Key Installation Requirements
- Correct fire rating (e.g. FD30S) appropriate to the location and use
- Properly installed intumescent and smoke seals around full perimeter
- Acceptable perimeter gaps (typically 2 to 4mm)
- Maximum 3mm gap at threshold for smoke control doors
- Suitable and correctly fitted self-closing devices
- Fire-rated ironmongery installed in accordance with the door’s test evidence
- Certification label visible on door edge or frame
Gap Tolerance Specifications
Common Fire Door Defects
Based on FDIS inspection data from over 100,000 fire doors, the most common reasons for failure are:
FDIS inspectors reported an average of 3.7 faults per door inspected, suggesting that in the majority of buildings, fire doors are not truly fit for purpose.
Maintaining Fire Doors in Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Fire doors are not “fit and forget” items. Daily use, impact damage, wear on hinges, out-of-adjustment closers, and unauthorised alterations all degrade performance over time.
HIQA Inspection Findings
HIQA inspectors routinely cite deficiencies such as damaged seals, doors wedged open, missing closers, or excessive gaps. These are not minor issues; they represent a loss of the door’s ability to resist the spread of smoke and fire.
Routine In-House Check Items
- Door closes fully into frame and latches securely
- Self-closing device operates smoothly from any angle
- No visible damage to door leaf, frame, or glazing
- Intumescent and smoke seals intact around full perimeter
- Gaps between door and frame within tolerance (2-4mm)
- All hinges secure with no missing screws
- Door not wedged, propped, or held open (unless by approved hold-open device)
- “Fire Door Keep Shut” signage present and legible
- Certification label visible on door edge
- No unauthorised modifications (letterboxes, cat flaps, unapproved glazing)
Fire Door Inspection in Healthcare Settings
Formal fire door inspections are a recognised expectation under Irish fire safety management principles. While Irish legislation does not prescribe inspection intervals in absolute terms, best practice, aligned with UK and European standards, supports periodic documented inspections, particularly in high-risk buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Irish Legal Framework
- Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended 2003): Places a duty on persons having control over premises to take reasonable measures to guard against fire outbreak and ensure safety of persons
- Building Regulations, Technical Guidance Document B: Provides detailed guidance on fire safety requirements including fire door specifications
- HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions): Requires designated centres to ensure adequate arrangements for detecting, containing, and extinguishing fires, and for evacuating residents
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005: Requires employers to identify fire hazards and implement appropriate management systems
The Importance of Independent Third-Party Inspection
Engaging an independent, third-party fire door inspector is a critical governance decision. Where the same contractor is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and selling fire doors, a clear conflict of interest can arise, whether perceived or actual.
Conflict of Interest Warning
If the organisation conducting your fire door inspection also sells or installs fire doors, they may have a financial incentive to recommend unnecessary replacements. This creates both a real and perceived conflict of interest that can undermine confidence in inspection findings.
No Commercial Interest
Independent inspectors have no financial stake in replacement or remedial works
Objective Findings
Evidence-based reports without bias toward particular products or suppliers
Transparent Decision-Making
Supports management in making informed, defensible decisions
HIQA Compliance
Strengthens compliance with Regulation 28 and audit expectations
Legal Protection
Protects organisation from allegations of inadequate oversight or due diligence
For healthcare providers, this independence supports defensible compliance by demonstrating that fire safety decisions are driven by risk, not sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
For healthcare buildings with vulnerable occupants, best practice recommends monthly in-house checks by trained staff, with formal inspections every six months by a competent person. BS 9999:2017 recommends six-monthly inspections as a minimum. High-traffic doors may require more frequent attention. Annual comprehensive audits should align with your fire risk assessment review.
Fire door inspections should be conducted by a competent person with appropriate training and certification. In the UK and Ireland, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) provides the industry-recognised qualification, resulting in a Diploma in Fire Doors (DipFD). Inspectors should demonstrate knowledge of current standards, testing requirements, and regulatory frameworks. Third-party accredited inspectors (FDIS, BM TRADA, FIRAS) offer the highest assurance.
Fire doors should never be wedged or propped open with doorstops, furniture, or other items. This completely defeats their purpose. However, approved electromagnetic hold-open devices linked to the fire alarm system are acceptable. These automatically release the door to close when the alarm activates. Any hold-open device must be fire-tested and correctly installed.
FD30 indicates 30 minutes of fire resistance. FD30S indicates 30 minutes of fire resistance plus smoke control through fitted smoke seals. The ‘S’ suffix is critical for doors on escape routes or forming part of smoke control strategies. In healthcare settings, smoke control is often more important than fire resistance, as smoke inhalation is the primary cause of fire deaths.
Key checks include: (1) Certification label visible on door edge or frame; (2) Gaps between door and frame no more than 2-4mm; (3) Intumescent and smoke seals intact around full perimeter; (4) At least three hinges with all screws present; (5) Self-closer fully closes door from any angle; (6) Door latches securely; (7) No unauthorised modifications. If in doubt, commission a professional inspection.
Under Irish legislation, the registered provider (often the Person in Charge or owner) is responsible for ensuring fire doors are properly maintained as part of overall fire safety management. This includes establishing routine inspection procedures, documenting findings, arranging remedial works, and ensuring staff are trained to identify and report defects. HIQA inspects compliance with Regulation 28.
Generally, no. A fire door’s rating comes from its tested construction, not from adding components. However, some specialist upgrade systems exist for certain door types, such as adding fire-resistant facings to solid timber doors. Any upgrade must be certified and installed according to test evidence. It is usually more reliable and cost-effective to replace non-compliant doors with certified fire door sets. Always seek professional advice.
Related Resources
Phoenix STS Training Courses
Ensure Your Fire Doors in Healthcare Facilities Are Fit for Purpose
Phoenix STS provides independent fire door inspection services and comprehensive training for healthcare facilities across Ireland. Our inspectors have no commercial interest in replacement works, ensuring objective, evidence-based assessments of fire doors in nursing homes and hospitals.
References
- Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS). Fire Door Inspection Data 2021. British Woodworking Federation, 2022.
- Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). Fire Safety Handbook: A Guide for Providers and Staff of Designated Centres. Dublin: HIQA, 2025.
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Technical Guidance Document B: Fire Safety, Volume 1. Dublin: Government of Ireland, 2024.
- Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended by Fire Services Act 2003). Dublin: Irish Statute Book.
- British Standards Institution. BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings. London: BSI.
- British Standards Institution. BS 8214:2016 Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies. London: BSI.
- British Standards Institution. BS EN 1634-1:2014 Fire Resistance Tests for Door and Shutter Assemblies. London: BSI.
- British Standards Institution. BS 476-22:1987 Fire Tests on Building Materials and Structures. London: BSI.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional fire safety advice. Fire door requirements vary based on building type, occupancy, construction date, and local regulations. Healthcare providers should consult competent fire safety professionals and refer to current legislation and guidance when making decisions about fire door installation, maintenance, and inspection. Phoenix STS accepts no liability for actions taken based on this information without appropriate professional consultation.
