How often should fire doors be inspected?

AS 1851:2012 requires monthly visual checks for high-traffic fire doors and those with hold-open devices, and six-monthly comprehensive inspections for all fire doors. Annual inspections should include detailed assessment of seals, hardware and self-closing operation. Some state regulations require quarterly inspections. Fire doors should also be inspected after any building works that may have affected them. All records are required for the Annual Fire Safety Statement.

What makes a fire door non-compliant?

Common non-compliance issues include: the door is propped open (unless fitted with an approved electromagnetic hold-open device connected to the fire alarm), the self-closer is disconnected or too weak to fully close and latch the door, intumescent seals are missing or damaged, clearance gaps exceed the specified maximum, the door leaf has holes or damage, fire-rated glazing is cracked or replaced with non-rated glass, or unauthorised modifications have been made to the door or frame.

Can fire doors be propped open?

Fire doors must not be propped open with wedges, hooks or other devices that prevent them from closing during a fire. The only acceptable method for holding a fire door open is an electromagnetic hold-open device connected to the building fire alarm system. When the fire alarm activates, the hold-open device releases and the door self-closes. Propping a fire door open with any other method compromises the fire compartmentation and is a breach of the Building Code and WHS Regulations.

Who can inspect fire doors?

Monthly visual inspections can be performed by trained building maintenance staff or fire wardens. Comprehensive six-monthly and annual inspections should be performed by a competent person with knowledge of AS 1905.1 and AS 1851 requirements, such as a fire protection practitioner or a building maintenance professional with fire door training. Some states require fire door inspections to be conducted by an accredited fire safety practitioner.

Free fire door inspection checklist

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Free fire door inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers door leaf, frame, hardware, seals, self-closing and AS 1905.1 compliance. Digitise with MapTrack.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 2 May 2026

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What is a fire door inspection checklist?

A fire door inspection checklist is a structured document used to verify that fire-rated doors and frames in a building are maintained in a condition that will contain fire and smoke for their rated period. The checklist covers the door leaf condition, frame integrity, intumescent seals, smoke seals, self-closing mechanism, latching hardware, signage, clearance gaps and any penetrations or modifications that could compromise the fire rating. Each fire door is identified by its location and fire resistance level (FRL).

Fire doors are passive fire protection elements that compartmentalise a building to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between zones, protecting escape routes and giving occupants time to evacuate. AS 1905.1:2015 (Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls, Part 1: Fire-resistant doorsets) specifies design and performance requirements. AS 1851:2012 requires routine service of fire doors, including visual inspection of door condition, seals, hardware and self-closing operation. The BCA National Construction Code mandates fire doors in specific locations based on building class and fire compartmentation design. The WHS Act 2011, Section 19 imposes a duty of care to maintain life-safety systems. A fire door that is propped open, has damaged seals, fails to self-close or has been modified without certification provides no fire protection and can allow fire and smoke to spread rapidly through a building.

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Benefits of using this fire door inspection checklist

Fire compartmentation: confirms fire doors will contain fire and smoke for their rated period, protecting escape routes and adjacent areas.
AS 1851 compliance: satisfies the routine service inspection requirements for fire-rated doorsets.
Life safety: functioning fire doors slow fire and smoke spread, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely.
Building compliance: documented inspections support the Annual Fire Safety Statement required by state fire safety legislation.
Defect identification: catches propped-open doors, damaged seals, failed self-closers and unauthorised modifications before a fire event.
Insurance requirements: property insurers expect fire doors to be maintained, and inspection records support claims in the event of fire.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise fire door checklists in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Schedule fire extinguisher, hydrant and alarm inspections with automatic reminders.
Track emergency evacuation drill records and corrective actions per site.
Maintain a digital fire safety register that satisfies insurer and regulator audits.

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What to include in a fire door inspection checklist

This fire door inspection checklist covers 12 key areas:

Building details: building name, floor or zone, number of fire doors in zone, inspection date.
Door identification: door number or tag, location, fire resistance level (FRL), door type (single, double, sliding).
Door leaf: condition (no holes, damage, warping), fire-rated glazing intact, signage (fire door keep shut / fire door keep clear).
Frame: frame integrity, frame-to-wall junction sealed, no gaps or damage that could compromise fire rating.
Intumescent seals: present and intact on door leaf or frame, not painted over, correct type for the FRL.
Smoke seals: present and in good condition, providing a seal when the door is closed.
Self-closing device: door self-closes fully from any open angle, closer mechanism operates smoothly, not blocked or bypassed.
Latching hardware: latch engages when door closes, lock operates correctly, panic hardware functional (where fitted).
Clearance gaps: gap between door and frame within specified limits (typically 3 mm maximum), threshold gap within limits.
Penetrations and modifications: no unauthorised holes, cables, or modifications to the door, frame or surrounding wall.
Defect register: door number, defect description, corrective action, responsible person, target date.
Sign-off: inspector name and qualifications, date, next inspection due.

How to use this fire door inspection checklist

Obtain the fire door schedule and plan the inspection route: Use the building fire door schedule or asset register to identify every fire door in the zone. Plan a systematic walk-through to ensure no door is missed. Bring the previous inspection record to compare findings.
Inspect each door leaf, frame and glazing: Check the door leaf for holes, damage, warping or delamination. Verify fire-rated glazing (if fitted) is intact and correctly identified. Inspect the frame for integrity, gaps between the frame and wall, and any damage. Look for unauthorised modifications such as drilled holes for cables or signage screws that penetrate the fire-rated core.
Check intumescent seals, smoke seals and clearance gaps: Verify intumescent seals are present on the door leaf or frame edge, are intact and have not been painted over or damaged. Check smoke seals for condition and compression. Measure the gap between the door leaf and frame on all sides and compare to the maximum clearance specified for the FRL (typically 3 mm).
Test the self-closing mechanism and latching hardware: Open the door to its full extent and release it. The door must self-close fully and the latch must engage without manual assistance. Check that the self-closer is not obstructed, disconnected or set too weak. For doors with electromagnetic hold-open devices, confirm the device releases on fire alarm activation.
Record defects and assign corrective actions: Log every defect against the specific door number with a description, corrective action and target date. Fire doors that are propped open, have failed self-closers or have compromised seals must be reported as urgent. Sign the checklist and schedule the next inspection cycle.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

AS 1851:2012 requires monthly visual inspection of fire doors that are in high-traffic areas or have hold-open devices, and six-monthly comprehensive inspection of all fire doors. Annual inspections should include a detailed assessment of seals, hardware and self-closing performance. Some state fire safety regulations require quarterly inspections. Fire doors should also be inspected after any building works that may have affected them, such as construction, painting or cable installation. All inspection records must be retained for the Annual Fire Safety Statement.

Frequently asked questions

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 1905.1:2015 - Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls, Fire-resistant doorsets
AS 1851:2012 - Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment

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