DIY guideBuilding fire safety
Fire doors close and latch, and are never wedged
Open each fire door, let it go, and watch it swing shut and latch by itself. Never wedge or prop one open.
- 10 to 30 min
- 7 steps
- Every step animated
7 steps
Tap a step to watch it again.
Stairway doors, corridor doors and doors to rooms like the boiler or trash room usually are. A label on the door's edge marks one.
Open it all the way and let go. It should swing shut by itself, smoothly, without slamming.
It should click shut and stay shut when you push on it. A door resting against its frame won't hold back smoke.
Take out any wedge, hook or prop. A door that must stay open needs a hold-open that lets go with the alarm, fitted by a pro.
No boxes, mats or bins where it swings or where it closes.
Check the closer on top isn't leaking or loose, the glass isn't cracked, and the seals around its edge are all there.
A door that won't close or latch, a broken closer or cracked glass: ask Handyman for a door pro. A fire door is fixed only with fire-rated parts.
What you need
- Nothing but a few minutes a door
Call a pro if
- It won't close or won't latch
- The closer leaks, is loose or broken
- The glass is cracked or the seals are missing
- It's been cut, drilled or painted over its label
Handyman says: Won't latch? I'll find a door pro.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
More power and safety guides
See all 43
Rather have
a pro do it?