Fire Door Safety Week 2026: what it is, and how Cornwall & Devon can take part

Every September the fire safety world turns its attention to the humble fire door. Fire Door Safety Week, run by the British Woodwork Federation since 2013, is a national awareness campaign about the role fire doors play — and how often they are overlooked. In 2025 it ran from 22 to 26 September; the 2026 dates fall in late September (the exact week is confirmed on the official campaign website).

The week exists because a fire door only works if it is specified, installed and maintained correctly. Year after year, inspections highlighted by the campaign have found a large share of fire doors failing to meet basic standards. The recurring culprits are familiar: gaps that are too wide, damaged or missing seals, unsuitable hinges, and — most avoidable of all — doors propped or wedged open so they cannot close in a fire.

For a building owner, landlord or facilities manager, the week is a useful prompt rather than an event you need to attend. It is a fixed point in the calendar to walk your building, refresh your records, and book any work that is overdue — and to do so before autumn, when fire safety scrutiny and enforcement activity tend to rise.

Taking part in Cornwall or Devon can be as simple as a few practical steps. Walk every floor and note any door that does not close fully on its own or shows visible damage. Download a simple self-check and work through it door by door. Brief staff and residents on why a wedged-open fire door defeats the whole system. And arrange a professional inspection for anything you are unsure about, so guesswork is replaced by a clear record.

We will be marking the week on this blog with practical guidance and a free self-check you can use straight away. It is the easiest moment of the year to get on top of fire doors — the campaign does the awareness-raising, and you reap the benefit of a safer, better-documented building.

A fire door is only ever as good as its worst component. Fire Door Safety Week is the annual reminder that checking them is not a one-off task but an ongoing duty — one that protects lives and keeps you on the right side of the law.

Download our free fire door self-check, or book a survey ahead of September.