75% of inspected fire doors failed to meet required standards

Data from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, based on more than 100,000 fire door inspections carried out by approved inspectors in 2021, found that 75% failed to meet the required standards.

The most common problems included excessive gaps, defective or missing smoke seals, and inadequate care and maintenance.

283 fire-related fatalities and 6,838 non-fatal casualties

Official government statistics recorded 283 fire-related fatalities and 6,838 non-fatal casualties in England in the year ending December 2025.

Of the non-fatal casualties, 3,027 required hospital treatment.

Propped-open fire doors remain a common safety concern

Research published during Fire Door Safety Week found that 10% of respondents had seen a fire door propped open in their place of residence, while 20% had seen one propped open in the workplace.

A fire door that is wedged or held open without an approved automatic closing device cannot provide its intended protection against the spread of smoke and fire.

Fires impose a significant economic and social cost

Government research estimated that the total economic and social cost of fire in England was £12 billion in the year ending March 2020.

This included expenditure on fire prevention and protection, together with the consequences of fires such as property damage, interruption to businesses, injuries and fatalities.

Fire safety enforcement remains active

Fire and Rescue Services in England issued 2,972 formal fire safety notices in the year ending March 2025, an increase of 5.3% from the previous year.

These figures highlight the importance of maintaining fire doors and other fire safety measures, carrying out regular inspections and resolving defects promptly.