If you manage a commercial, industrial, or multi-residential property, a fire door compliance checklist should sit at the top of your building maintenance priorities. Fire doors are one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of a building’s passive fire protection system. In Western Australia, building owners and facility managers have a legal obligation under the Building Regulations 2012 (WA) and AS 1851 to ensure fire doors are maintained and inspected regularly. A non-compliant fire door doesn’t just risk a failed audit; it can mean the difference between containing a fire and losing a building — or a life. Here’s what your fire door compliance checklist should cover, and how our passive fire protection inspection services can help keep your building on top of it.
What to check first: the basics. Every side-hung fire door needs to close fully and latch into the frame without obstruction. Check that the door isn’t propped open, that self-closing devices are functioning, and that there’s no visible damage, warping, or gaps around the frame exceeding the manufacturer’s tolerances (generally a mean clearance, no more than 3mm around the head and jambs, and up to 10mm at the floor for a standard clearance). Smoke seals where installed, should be intact and continuous, with no cracking, peeling, or missing sections. Door hardware — hinges, closers, handles, and any electromagnetic hold-open devices — must operate smoothly and be compatible with the door’s fire rating.
Signage, labelling, and documentation. Every fire door must carry the appropriate compliance label or plate confirming its Fire Resistance Level (FRL), typically fixed to the top edge or hinge side of the door. This label must remain legible — repainting over it or removing it during maintenance is a common (and costly) compliance failure. Beyond the door itself, WA building owners must keep an up-to-date fire door register and maintenance log, recording inspection dates, defects identified, and rectification works. Under AS 1851-2012, routine inspections are typically required every six months, with Sole Occupancy Unit doors (SOU), inspected every 12 months.
Getting it right, consistently. Fire door compliance in WA isn’t a set-and-forget exercise — doors are subject to daily wear, unauthorised alterations (like added locks or vision panels), and simple neglect, all of which can silently void a door’s fire rating. Engaging a qualified passive fire protection contractor for scheduled inspections is the most reliable way to stay ahead of compliance issues, avoid enforcement action from local government, and — most importantly — ensure your building’s fire doors do their job if they’re ever needed. If it’s been more than six months since your last inspection, book a fire door inspection with our team today.
Fire Prevention specialist