On-site fire door tests
Our fire door testing in London proves each door still works the way it should. We test closing, latching, gaps and seals on site, and record a result for every door.
Fire door testing explained
Fire door testing on site means putting each door through a set of simple, hands-on tests. We check that it closes, latches and seals as it should.
It is different from lab fire testing. Labs burn sample doors to prove a design. We prove that your fitted doors still work today.
Many faults are invisible at a glance. A door can look shut but stop 5 mm short of the latch.
Testing turns opinions into measurements. You get a clear pass or fail you can rely on.
After new doors are fitted, after repairs, or as part of a regular check. Insurers and fire risk assessors also ask for it.
It is also useful before a building changes hands. The buyer gets proof of how the doors perform, tested by a London fire door specialist.
What we test
Each fire door test follows the same order. That makes results easy to compare, door to door and year to year.
The door must close and latch on its own from its widest point.
It must also shut and latch when released from half open.
Top and side gaps checked at several points.
Smoke seals must touch the leaf all the way round.
No movement, missing screws or worn knuckles.
Magnetic hold-opens must release when the alarm sounds.
How it works
Testing is quick and calm. Most residents and staff barely notice we are there.
We agree access to every door, including flats and risers.
Every door goes through the same set of tests.
Each result is logged on the door’s test sheet.
Once faults are fixed, we test again to confirm.
Building types
We test doors in buildings that cannot afford a door that fails to close. Care home fire door testing, for example, includes every hold-open device.
Escape route doors in offices and shops tested out of hours.
See how we testBedroom and corridor doors tested between check-out and check-in.
See how we testHold-open devices tested with the fire alarm, with staff present.
See how we testBlocks of flats, schools, HMOs and more. Tell us what you need.
Ask for a quoteYour results
Results are set out door by door. You can see at a glance which doors passed and why others did not.
Common failures
These are the test failures we record most often. Most are quick to put right with simple fire door repairs.
The closer runs out of power in the last few centimetres.
Swollen or dropped doors rub and stop before closing.
Often caused by hinges that have worn or sagged.
Smoke seals that miss the leaf cannot stop smoke.
A fault in the device or its link to the alarm.
Movement in the hinge lets the door drop over time.
Pricing
Fire door testing is priced per door, with extra for doors linked to the fire alarm. Small sites have a minimum visit fee.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| On-site fire door testing | £20–£45per door |
| Hold-open device test with alarm | £15–£35per device |
| Minimum testing visit | £300–£550per visit |
| Overhead closer replaced | £120–£250per door |
Guide prices updated October 2026. Your fixed quote follows a visit or survey.
Closing, latching, gap and seal tests on each door.
£480–£1,080
Every door tested, plus hold-opens tested with the alarm.
£980–£2,220
More doors means a lower rate per door.
Tests linked to the fire alarm need extra time.
Night or weekend testing is priced on request.
Re-testing after repairs can be added to the same visit.
Areas covered
Our testers visit buildings in every borough, plus the City of London.
Testing visits can be booked at short notice when an insurer, assessor or buyer needs results quickly.
For larger estates, we can test one building at a time on a rolling plan.
Central London
North London
East London
South London
West London
Related services
If doors fail, these services get them passing again.
Fix the closer, hinges or seals behind a failed test.
View serviceRegular servicing so doors keep passing.
View serviceA full inspection, not just functional tests.
View servicePaperwork that proves each door is fit for use.
View serviceOn-site testing usually costs £20–£45 per door before VAT, with £15–£35 per device for hold-open devices tested with the alarm. Small sites have a minimum visit of £300–£550. The price per door drops on larger buildings. Re-testing after repairs can be added to the same visit, so you get proof each fix worked.
We open the door fully and check that it closes and latches on its own. We repeat this from part open, measure the gaps, check the seals touch the leaf and look for hinge wear.
Fire resistance is proved in a lab, where sample doors are burnt to BS 476-22 or BS EN 1634-1. Doors in your building are not burnt. On site, we test that they still work as the tested design intended.
There is no single time in law. What matters is that the door closes fully and latches on its own from any open position, without slamming. We record any door that fails to do this.
Many buildings test doors every 3 to 6 months as part of regular checks or a fire door maintenance plan. Doors with hold-open devices should also be tested whenever the fire alarm is tested. Your fire risk assessment may set the interval for your building. Busy doors in hotels, schools and care homes often need more frequent tests.
Testing focuses on how the door works. A full fire door inspection also checks labels, glazing, damage and paperwork. Many clients book both together. Testing gives measured results for how each door works today. An inspection adds a full check of the door’s condition and proof of rating.
No. On-site tests are hands-on checks of closing, latching, gaps and seals. Nothing is burnt or broken. We simply open and release each door, measure the gaps and check the seals. Residents and staff can carry on as normal while we work.
We record why and suggest a fix. Once it is fixed, the door is tested again and the test sheet is updated. The most common failure is a door that does not latch, which is often fixed by adjusting the closer. Many faults can be fixed on the same day.
Next step
Tell us how many doors need testing. We will call back the same working day with a date.
