When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and fire doors teams carrying out fire door inspection — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Inspect fire doors for compliance in occupied buildings, including access and the public.
Sequence of works
- 1Obtain pre-inspection briefing from the responsible person: review the building's fire strategy, asbestos register, emergency evacuation procedures, and list of doors to be inspected. Confirm authorisation and identification.
- 2Conduct a pre-inspection walkthrough of the full inspection route to identify trip hazards, lighting deficiencies, and areas of public congestion. Remove or report obstructions before starting.
- 3Place 'Inspection in Progress' signage at both approaches to each door prior to beginning any functional test. Notify adjacent occupants verbally where appropriate.
- 4Conduct visual inspection of each door leaf: check for damage, gaps, frame integrity, certification label, signage, and condition of intumescent seals and cold-smoke seals without disturbing degraded materials.
- 5Use a calibrated gap gauge (on an extension handle where necessary) to check clearances at the head, hinge side, leading edge, and threshold against the required tolerances.
- 6Conduct functional testing of the self-closing device: control the door throughout the full close cycle, ensuring the latch engages correctly. Check that the door closes from any open position without manual assistance.
- 7Inspect ironmongery: hinges, hold-open devices, emergency hardware, and any access-control interfaces. Check that no inappropriate hold-open devices are in use.
- 8Record all findings against each door reference using inspection documentation. Photograph defects and note whether deficiencies are minor, major, or immediate risks requiring same-day remediation.
- 9At completion, remove all signage, confirm no doors have been left propped open, and verbally hand over findings to the responsible person, highlighting any immediate fire safety concerns requiring urgent action.
- 10Complete and submit the formal inspection report to the responsible person in accordance with the requirements of the fire safety management system, noting any items requiring follow-up by a competent person.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Trip over door threshold or obstructions
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Conduct a brief walkthrough of the inspection route before commencing to identify and remove loose obstructions such as boxes, cables, or equipment.
- › Verify that all corridor and doorway lighting is functioning before inspection begins. Report deficiencies to the responsible person prior to proceeding.
- › Wear footwear with slip-resistant soles rated to SRC standard to reduce slip and trip risk on varied flooring types.
Collision with or entrapment by fire door
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Notify the responsible person and, where possible, temporarily route occupants away from doors under active functional testing.
- › Ensure the inspector controls the door throughout the closing cycle by hand; never release a fire door without first checking the clear zone on both sides.
- › Place temporary 'Inspection in Progress' signage at both approaches to the door under test to warn passing occupants and the public.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use an approved door-hold wedge or strap device to hold the door open during gap and seal inspection, avoiding sustained manual force.
- › Where multiple doors are being inspected in a single visit, rotate between inspectors or schedule rest breaks to avoid repetitive strain.
- › Brief all inspectors on correct body mechanics when operating heavy doors: maintain neutral spine, use leg drive, avoid twisting.
Working at height — use of steps or stepladder
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a calibrated gap gauge on an extension handle to check top-of-door gaps from ground level, eliminating the need to work at height where possible.
- › Where climbing is unavoidable, use a suitable low-level platform or kick-step with a non-slip base in preference to a step ladder.
- › Inspect access equipment before use for damage, missing feet, or defective locking mechanisms. Do not use if defective.
- › Maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending. A second person should foot the ladder or step where practicable.
Impact with open or swinging door leaf
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Attach a temporary hold sign to the opposite side of the door face being inspected to prevent occupants opening the door into the inspector.
- › Notify adjacent room occupants or floor manager that the door is temporarily under inspection and must not be opened until advised.
Stress and aggression from building occupants
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Ensure the responsible person communicates the inspection programme to occupants in advance. Inspectors should carry identification and an authorisation letter.
- › Establish a regular check-in schedule with a supervisor or colleague; use a lone-worker app where appropriate. Define escalation steps if contact is not made.
Inhalation of dust or debris during inspection of damaged doors
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Review the building's asbestos register and hazardous materials records before inspecting doors in older buildings (pre-2000). Do not disturb suspect materials.
- › Limit inspection activity to visual and tactile assessment only; do not scrape, cut, or drill any door components unless a specific intrusive survey has been separately planned and risk-assessed.
- › Wear an FFP2-rated disposable mask if damaged seals or dust is encountered during the inspection.
Fire or smoke exposure during emergency while inspection is in progress
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Hold fire doors open for the minimum time necessary for inspection; never prop a fire door open and leave it unattended.
- › Before commencing inspection, obtain and read the building's fire evacuation plan, identify assembly point, escape routes, and the responsible person's contact details.
- › Carry a charged mobile phone at all times. Ensure there is signal in all areas being inspected, or arrange an alternative communication method.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a fire door inspection RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for fire door inspection, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to fire door inspection?
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Work at Height Regulations 2005, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.