Fire Doors: The Most Boring, Most Important Thing in Your Building

Nobody wanders into somewhere impressive like The Grosvenor Hotel or the HQ Building on Nicholas Street and says, “you know what really stands out here… the fire doors.” They’re not meant to be glamorous. But in an emergency, they’re the quiet bit of engineering that keeps people safe.

Across the region we see the same thing: buildings of all ages rely on fire doors doing their job quietly in the background. From modern spaces to older properties that have been adapted over the years, most problems come from simple day to day habits rather than dramatic failings.

Why Fire Doors Matter More Than You Think

1. They buy time when nothing else can

A proper fire door holds back smoke and heat long enough for people to escape. One closed door can slow a fire travelling through an entire section of a building.

2. They protect escape routes

Stairwells, corridors and lobbies stay usable because the doors keep smoke out. Without them, escape routes can fill far quicker than people realise.

3. They help contain small fires

More than once, a single closed fire door has stopped a minor incident becoming a building-wide problem.

Example Video

Common Problems We See

Propped open with whatever’s nearby

Chairs. Boxes. Cleaning trolleys. Even plant pots. It is almost always done for convenience, and it removes the fire door’s entire purpose.

Damaged or missing intumescent seals

These slim strips expand in heat to stop smoke and fire getting through. Cracked, missing or peeling seals mean the door no longer performs properly.

Doors that do not close fully

If a door does not latch into the frame on its own, it is no longer a functioning fire door.

Layout changes that ignore the original fire plan

This is especially common in older Chester buildings that have been adapted over time. A reshuffled room or new storage area can unintentionally block part of a protected route.

What Good Fire Door Management Actually Looks Like

Regular visual checks

Nothing technical. Just ensuring the door closes, seals are intact, the frame is sound and nothing is obstructing it.

Keeping them closed unless there is an approved hold-open device

If the door is meant to stay shut, it needs to stay shut.

Helping staff or visitors spot the basics

A quick briefing or simple signage is often enough to stop everyday bad habits.

Fixing small issues promptly

Loose hinges, sticking closers or worn seals are straightforward to put right if caught early.

Why This Matters

In our home city of Chester, the building stock is diverse. You have heritage hotels like The Grosvenor, modern mixed-use spaces like the HQ Building, listed terraces along Lower Bridge Street, and the big financial HQs at Chester Business Park. All of them rely heavily on compartmentation — the principle that fire and smoke must be kept in designated sections of a building.

Fire doors are what make that system work. They are simple and unglamorous, but they are one of the most important safety features any building has.

Not sure where to start

If you have never taken a proper look at your fire doors or you are not sure what condition they’re in, Fletcher Risk can help. A quick inspection often reveals small fixes that make a huge difference to overall safety.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional fire safety advice or a formal fire risk assessment. Every building and business is different, so if you are unsure, seek competent guidance.

Fletcher Risk Team - 9 December 2025