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The rules on fire doors come from several places at once, which makes them sound more daunting than they are. Here's a plain-English overview of what applies in 2026, and where to read the detail.
| Regulation / standard | What it covers | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 | The overarching duty to manage fire safety | The "responsible person" for most non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings |
| Fire Safety Act 2021 | Confirms the Fire Safety Order covers the structure, external walls and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings | Responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings |
| Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 | Routine checks of fire doors in taller residential blocks | Responsible persons of multi-occupied blocks over 11 m |
| Approved Document B | Statutory guidance for fire safety in building design | New building work & material changes of use — changes from 30 Sep 2026 |
| BS 8214 / BS 9999 | Best-practice installation and management | Anyone fitting or maintaining fire doors |
The Approved Document B changes apply to new building work and material changes of use — they are not retrospective on existing buildings. The headline items are a second staircase in new residential buildings above 18 m, and sprinklers in all new care homes regardless of height. Our Approved Document B guide has the deep-dive.
A separate change — the removal of the old BS 476 "national class" references — is phased to 2 September 2029, not 30 September 2026, so the two dates shouldn't be bundled together.
In most premises the duty sits with the "responsible person" — usually the employer, owner, landlord or managing agent with control of the building. Our responsible person duties guide sets out exactly who that is and what they must do.
It comes down to three things — inspect, maintain and keep records. Inspect your fire doors at the right interval for your building, maintain them so they stay compliant between checks, and keep records via a fire door asset register so you can prove it.
Ask a qualified specialist — we'll tell you plainly which rules apply to your building, across Cornwall and Devon. Get in touch and we'll talk it through.
The 30 September 2026 deadline, and why the timing matters.
Who the law makes responsible, and what they must do.
Inspection intervals by building type, with the regulations explained.
You will speak directly to a qualified specialist, not a call centre. We explain everything in plain language, give you an honest assessment and a fair price. Whether you need one door checked or an ongoing maintenance contract, the conversation starts the same way.