CFP Carpentry & Fire Prevention were called to the Port of Dover to carry out a large-scale fire door inspection across multiple zones of the port.
The site has around 2,000 fire doors in total. As part of this phase of work, our team inspected 350 fire doors to assess whether the door sets were compliant with current fire safety requirements and to identify any remedial works required.
This project followed previous fire door remedial works at the Port of Dover, highlighting the importance of ongoing inspections, maintenance and compliance checks across large commercial and public-access sites.
Fire Door Inspections Across Multiple Zones
Large sites such as ports, commercial buildings, residential blocks and public-access facilities rely on fire doors to help protect escape routes and slow the spread of fire and smoke.
During this project, CFP carried out detailed fire door inspections across multiple areas of the Port of Dover. Each door set was checked carefully to identify defects that could affect fire performance or cause the door to fail a fire risk assessment.
The inspection included checking:
- Fire door gaps around the frame and door leaf
- Threshold gaps at the bottom of the doors
- Condition of intumescent and smoke seals
- Hinges, fixings and ironmongery
- Door closers and closing action
- Signage and general condition
- Any damage, movement or wear affecting the door set
Checking Fire Door Gaps
One of the main parts of the inspection was checking the gaps around each fire door. Correct and consistent gaps are essential because excessive gaps can allow smoke and fire to pass through more easily.
For many fire door sets, the required gaps are typically around 2–4mm around the top and sides, depending on the door specification and manufacturer’s instructions. The threshold gap at the bottom of the door also needs to be checked carefully, especially where smoke control is required.
Our team used a fire door gap gauge to measure the door gaps and record where doors were outside the required tolerances. Where issues were identified, these could then be listed for suitable fire door remedial works.
Inspecting Hinges, Closers and Seals
Fire doors are only effective when the full door set works as intended. As well as measuring gaps, CFP inspected key fire door components including hinges, door closers, smoke seals, intumescent strips and threshold seals.
Several of the doors showed signs of wear, damage or adjustment being required. This included checking areas where hinges may need attention, where closers were not performing correctly, and where seals needed to be assessed for damage or deterioration.
Where fire doors are found to have excessive gaps, worn seals, faulty closers or damaged components, the issue should be addressed using suitable fire-rated products and in line with the door manufacturer’s instructions.
Why Regular Fire Door Inspections Matter
With approximately 2,000 fire doors across the Port of Dover, regular inspection and maintenance is essential. Fire doors can become non-compliant over time due to daily use, impact damage, building movement, worn seals, faulty closers or previous unsuitable repairs.
A detailed inspection helps the responsible person understand which doors are compliant, which doors need adjustment and which doors may require more extensive remedial works or replacement.
For more information about fire door requirements, you can also read our guide on FD30 and FD60 fire door specifications and our article explaining how fire doors work.
Supporting Fire Safety Compliance at the Port of Dover
This project demonstrates CFP’s ability to support large-scale fire safety programmes across complex sites. Inspecting 350 fire doors across multiple zones required a structured approach, careful recording and a detailed understanding of fire door compliance.
Following the inspection, any doors requiring further works could be prioritised so the correct remedial action could be planned. This may include adjusting door gaps, replacing damaged seals, improving closing action, repairing frames, fitting suitable threshold seals or carrying out further specialist fire door works.
CFP Carpentry & Fire Prevention provide fire prevention services, fire door installation, surveys, inspections and remedial works for commercial buildings, residential blocks, HMOs, public sector sites and large multi-door estates.
Need Fire Door Inspections for Your Site?
If your building requires a fire door inspection, fire door survey or remedial works following a failed fire risk assessment, CFP Carpentry & Fire Prevention can help.
We work across the South, South West, London, South East and wider UK, supporting property managers, landlords, contractors, facilities teams and responsible persons with fire door compliance.
View our areas we cover or contact CFP Carpentry & Fire Prevention to discuss your fire door inspection requirements.
