Course Overview

The Fire Door Inspection Course from Phoenix STS is a CPD-certified one-day programme designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to inspect fire doors confidently and ensure compliance with Irish regulations. Fire doors are critical components of passive fire protection, and proper inspection is essential to verify they will perform when needed most.

This intensive course covers Irish, UK, and EU fire door legislation, detailed inspection protocols, defect identification, and reporting procedures. Through hands-on training with actual fire door assemblies, you’ll develop the expertise to assess fire door condition, identify common faults, and recommend appropriate remedial actions.

Fire Door Inspection Course – Key Facts

1
Day Duration
6
CPD Hours
20
Max Learners
3yr
Certification

💡 Subsidised Training Available

Employees in the private healthcare sector may be eligible for subsidised training through Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) Skillnet. Contact us for details.


Why Choose This Course

Selecting the right fire door inspection training is essential for building your competence and professional credibility. Here’s what sets the Phoenix STS programme apart:

CPD-Certified Training

Approved by the CPD Standards Office (Provider Number: 22657), providing 6 hours of recognised Continuing Professional Development credit.

One-Day Intensive Format

Gain comprehensive fire door inspection expertise in a single day, minimising time away from work while maximising learning outcomes.

Hands-On Practical Training

Work with actual fire door assemblies to develop real-world inspection skills, not just theoretical knowledge.

Expert Instructors

Learn from tutors with 25+ years of fire safety experience and degrees in Fire Engineering who translate complex regulations into practical, actionable steps.

Small Class Sizes

Maximum 20 participants ensures personalised attention, effective learning, and meaningful interaction with instructors during practical sessions.

Current Curriculum

Covers the latest Irish, UK, and EU fire door standards, including CE Marking, Q-Mark, Certifire, and UKCA certification schemes.


Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals responsible for fire safety, building maintenance, or regulatory compliance. Ideal participants include:

Fire Safety & Compliance Professionals

  • Fire Safety Officers and Fire Marshals
  • Fire Wardens
  • Health and Safety Consultants
  • Third-Party Inspectors

Building Management & Maintenance

  • Facilities Managers and Building Managers
  • Maintenance Personnel and Engineering Teams
  • Building Owners and Landlords
  • Property Managers

Healthcare Sector

  • Health and Safety Officers (Hospitals, Nursing Homes)
  • Hospital Maintenance Teams
  • Care Home Managers
  • Disability Services Personnel

Construction & Installation

  • Fire Door Installers
  • Carpenters and Joiners
  • Construction Site Managers
  • Compliance Professionals

What You’ll Learn

The course combines essential theory with practical application, giving you a complete understanding of fire door inspection requirements and techniques.

Legislation and Standards

Fire Door Components

  • Door leaf and frame construction
  • Intumescent strips and smoke seals
  • Ironmongery: hinges, latches, closers
  • Fire-rated glazing and vision panels
  • Signage requirements
  • FD30/FD60 fire ratings explained

Inspection Techniques

  • Systematic inspection methodology
  • Gap measurement and tolerance checks (≤4mm)
  • Hardware functionality testing
  • Certification label verification
  • Identifying common defects and non-compliance

Certification and Marking

  • CE Marking under the EU Construction Products Regulation
  • UKCA Marking for UK compliance
  • Third-party certifications: Q-Mark and Certifire
  • FD30/EI30 Sa and FD60/EI60 Sa fire ratings explained

Reporting and Documentation

  • Writing effective inspection reports
  • Documenting findings and recommendations
  • Record-keeping requirements
  • Escalation procedures for critical defects

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Understand fire safety principles: Explain how passive fire protection measures contribute to building safety and differentiate between active and passive fire protection systems
  • Analyse fire door legislation: Apply Irish, UK, and EU fire door regulations to ensure legal compliance across various building types
  • Identify critical components: Explain the function of all essential fire door components and their role in passive fire protection systems
  • Perform systematic inspections: Conduct thorough fire door inspections, accurately identifying common defects and non-compliance issues
  • Recognise defects: Identify issues such as excessive gaps (>4mm), missing or damaged intumescent seals, non-compliant door hardware, and faulty self-closing devices
  • Generate professional reports: Produce comprehensive inspection reports following industry best practices with clear recommendations for remedial actions
  • Fulfil inspector responsibilities: Understand and apply the defined roles and responsibilities of a fire door inspector and duty holder under Irish fire safety regulations

Course Programme

Morning Session: Theory and Legislation

  • Welcome and Course Overview
  • Fundamentals of Fire Safety and Passive Fire Protection
  • Legislation and Standards Overview (Irish, EU, UK)
  • Fire Door Components and Functions
  • Certification Schemes: CE Marking, UKCA, Q-Mark, Certifire

Afternoon Session: Practical Inspection and Reporting

  • Systematic Inspection Methodology
  • Practical Session: Fire Door Inspection (hands-on with mock-up units)
  • Defect Identification and Gap Measurement
  • Hardware Functionality Testing
  • Writing Effective Inspection Reports
  • Documentation and Record-Keeping
  • Course Conclusion

Certification

Upon successful completion, you receive:

  • Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion
  • CPD Certificate of Attendance (6 hours, CPD Standards Office)
  • Internationally recognised qualification
  • Renewal reminder service six months before expiry
Certificate Validity 3 Years

Ensures up-to-date knowledge reflecting changes in legislation and standards


Our Instructors

Our instructors bring over 25 years of real-world fire safety experience to your training. They hold memberships with leading professional bodies:

With degrees in Fire Engineering and expertise in adult education, our instructors are passionate about turning complex fire door regulations into practical steps you can apply immediately.

Instructor Qualifications

Our training team holds qualifications including BEng Fire Engineering, BSc Environmental Health and Safety Management, H.Dip in Occupational Health and Safety, and FETAC Level 6 Train the Trainer. Combined, they bring over 100 years of practical fire safety experience across public and private sectors, including healthcare, defence, and construction industries.


Frequently Asked Questions

You receive 6 hours of CPD accreditation from the CPD Standards Office and a Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion. Both are internationally recognised qualifications that enhance your professional credibility.

Your certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. You will receive a reminder six months before expiry. Refresher training is recommended before certification expires.

Classes are limited to 20 participants maximum to ensure personalised attention and facilitate effective learning and interaction during practical sessions.

Yes. In-house training is available for groups up to 20 participants. This option allows training to be tailored to your specific fire safety environment and is ideal for hospitals, nursing home groups, factories, and other large facilities. Contact us for a quotation.

The course covers Irish legislation including the Fire Services Acts 1981-2003, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and Building Control Regulations 1990-2024. It also covers European (EN) standards, relevant British Standards, and third-party certification schemes.

A fire door is a specially constructed, fire-resistant door designed to withstand fire and smoke for a specified period (typically 30 or 60 minutes). It acts as a barrier to slow the spread of flames and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving occupants more time to evacuate safely. By compartmentalising a building, fire doors help contain fire to one area, significantly improving life safety and reducing property damage.

Fire doors are legally required in all non-domestic (commercial and public) buildings to protect escape corridors, stairwells, and high-risk rooms. In certain domestic settings (apartment buildings, houses with three or more storeys, loft conversions, or between an attached garage and house), building regulations also mandate fire-rated doors at specific locations.

Industry standards recommend inspecting fire doors at least every six months. Heavily used doors in busy corridors may need monthly or quarterly visual checks, while low-traffic doors may be checked biannually. Regular inspections catch issues early, ensuring fire doors will perform correctly in an emergency.

A proper inspection covers: certification labels (present and legible), door and frame integrity (no warping, cracks, or holes), glazing and vision panels (fire-rated and secure), hardware and hinges (at least three fire-rated hinges, firmly attached), door gaps (3-4mm at top and sides), self-closing device (fully closes the door), latching mechanism, intumescent and smoke seals (intact), and correct signage (“Fire Door – Keep Shut”).

Research shows 75% of fire doors have some form of defect. The most common issues include: missing or damaged seals (61%), incorrect or missing signage, excessive gaps around the door, damage to the door leaf or frame, and improper hardware (missing hinges, broken closers). Most faults can be fixed once identified through proper inspection.

FD30 and FD60 indicate fire-resistance ratings in minutes. An FD30 door resists fire and smoke for 30 minutes; an FD60 door is rated for 60 minutes. Building regulations specify which rating is required for different locations. The rating assumes the door is properly installed, maintained, and kept closed.

Yes. In Ireland and the EU, fire doors must carry CE marking to show compliance with European standards under the Construction Products Regulation. CE marking indicates the door has been tested and certified for fire resistance, smoke control, and durability. In the UK, UKCA marking serves the same purpose.

Q-Mark (BM Trada) and Certifire (Warringtonfire) are independent third-party certification schemes that go beyond basic legal requirements. They subject fire doors to additional testing, manufacturer audits, and quality control checks. A Q-Mark or Certifire label provides greater confidence that the door will perform as certified in a fire.

Yes. Keeping records of all fire door inspections, maintenance, and repairs is both best practice and often a regulatory requirement. Documentation should include the inspection date, the inspector’s name, findings, and corrective actions taken. Complete records demonstrate compliance and provide crucial evidence in the event of an audit or incident.

This 1-day course focuses specifically on fire door inspection fundamentals. The 5-day course provides comprehensive training in both fire door inspection AND passive fire protection systems, includes the IIESMS professional qualification (T.IIESMS), covers minor repair techniques, digital documentation tools, historic building considerations, and emerging technologies.

Prior experience in building maintenance, construction, or fire safety is beneficial but not mandatory. A basic understanding of fire safety principles is recommended.


Page last updated: January 2026