What Fire Door Remedial Works Mean After a Failed Inspection

A failed fire door inspection is not the end of the process. It is the point at which responsibility becomes action.

When inspection reports highlight defects, the next step is almost always fire door remedial works. For many duty holders, this is where confusion starts. What needs fixing? How urgently? Can the building stay in use? And what evidence is required to prove compliance?

This article explains what fire door remedial works mean after a failed inspection, how findings should be interpreted, and how facilities teams should respond to restore compliance properly.

What Does a Failed Fire Door Inspection Actually Mean?

A fire door inspection is designed to assess whether each door can perform its life-safety function in a fire.

A failed inspection confirms that:

• One or more doors cannot currently be relied upon

• Fire or smoke containment may be compromised

• Escape routes may be at risk

• Compliance cannot be demonstrated

At this point, the inspection has done its job. The risk has been identified. The responsibility now sits with the duty holder to act.

Inspection Findings vs Required Action

One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming that inspection findings are advisory.

They are not.

When an inspection identifies defects that affect performance, remedial works are required to:

• Restore fire resistance

• Reinstate smoke control

• Ensure self-closing operation

• Maintain compartmentation

Inspection highlights the problem. Remedial works resolve it.

This is why inspections and remedials must be treated as a single compliance process.

How Inspection Reports Drive Fire Door Remedial Works

A competent inspection report should clearly identify:

• The specific defect

• Why it affects performance

• The level of risk

• Whether remedial works or replacement are required

These findings form the basis of the remedial scope.

Defects such as excessive gaps, damaged seals, faulty closers, or compromised frames almost always lead directly to remedial works.

Prioritising Fire Door Remedial Works After Inspection

Not all failed doors present the same level of risk.

Facilities managers should prioritise remedial works based on:

• Whether the door protects an escape route

• Occupancy type and vulnerability

• The role of the door in the fire strategy

• The severity of the defect

This allows urgent issues to be addressed first while lower-risk items are planned and phased.

Can Buildings Remain in Use After a Failed Inspection?

In many cases, yes, but only if risk is managed correctly.

Temporary controls may include:

• Increased monitoring

• Adjusted evacuation procedures

• Restricted use of certain areas

However, these controls are not a substitute for remedial works. They are short-term measures only.

Where fire door performance is severely compromised, continued use may not be appropriate.

Fire Door Remedial Works vs Replacement Decisions

Inspection findings sometimes raise the question of whether remediation is sufficient. We will go into this in more detail in a seperate article soon.

Remedial works are appropriate where:

• The door set remains structurally sound

• Certification can be verified

• Performance can be restored

Replacement may be required where:

• Certification is missing or invalid

• Damage is extensive

• Historic alterations compromise integrity

In these cases, fire door installation may be the correct route.

The Role of Documentation After Remedial Works

Once remedial works are completed, evidence is critical.

Facilities managers should retain:

• Updated inspection records

• Clear descriptions of remedial actions

• Photographic evidence

• Confirmation that defects have been resolved

This documentation supports compliance during audits, enforcement visits, or following incidents.

Why Delaying Remedial Works Increases Liability

Once inspection findings are issued, the duty holder is formally aware of risk.

Delaying action:

• Increases exposure to enforcement

• Weakens legal defence after incidents

• Undermines insurance positions

• Increases the likelihood of repeat failure

Prompt remedial action demonstrates proactive compliance.

Fire Door Remedial Works as Part of a Wider Strategy

Fire doors do not operate in isolation.

Inspection findings often highlight wider issues relating to:

• Passive fire protection

• Fire stopping around frames

• Compartmentation integrity

Remedial works should be aligned with the building’s fire risk assessment and overall fire strategy.

How Protest ES Ltd Supports Clients After Failed Inspections

Protest ES Ltd supports facilities managers from inspection through to resolution.

Our approach includes:

• Fire door inspections

• Clear, defect-led remedial scopes

• Risk-based prioritisation

• Competent fire door remedial works

• Full documentation and compliance evidence

We focus on restoring performance and protecting duty holders, not just closing actions.

Key Takeaways for Facilities Managers

• A failed inspection requires action, not observation

• Inspection findings drive remedial works directly

• Prioritisation should be risk-based

• Temporary controls are not permanent solutions

• Documentation is essential for compliance

• Delays increase liability

Fire door remedial works are the practical response to inspection findings. Managing them correctly restores safety, compliance, and confidence.