To any fire door inspectors our there, BS8214:2026 Section 15 Maintenance states:

Doors without fire resistance documentary test evidence that do not meet the definition of notional as given above are sometimes termed “nominal fire doors” by the industry. Doors without fire resistance documentary test evidence can only be considered to provide a level of fire resistance after an appropriate risk assessment that takes into account, for example, the means of escape, occupancy profile and the full safety measures in the building.

Every single door we inspect has no documentation, ever.

How does this affect a fire door inspection? do you carry out a separate risk assessment for every fire door inspected?

Just looking at a door can tell you a lot.

You can often establish whether a door is likely to provide fire resistance by considering:

• Whether it carries a BWF-CERTIFIRE or other recognised certification mark.

• The weight of the door. Is it light or substantial when operated?

• The age of the door.

• Whether it is a solid panel door or lightweight construction.

• Whether the door remains appropriate for the:

  • escape strategy,

  • occupancy,

  • compartmentation,

  • building height,

  • vulnerability of occupants, and

  • other fire safety measures within the building.

Even where documentary evidence is unavailable, an inspector can still assess:

• The overall condition of the door.

• Door-to-frame gaps.

• The quality of installation.

• Ironmongery and associated hardware.

• The effectiveness of self-closing devices.

• Glazing and glazing systems.

• Smoke and intumescent seals.

The absence of certification or test evidence does not automatically mean that a separate fire risk assessment is required for every door. The assessment should normally be based on groups of similar doors and the building as a whole, taking account of the level of risk presented, rather than undertaking an individual risk assessment for every single door.

The building FRA, if to a suitable professional standard, will, taking into account all relevant factors including the building layout, fire risks, persons at risk and other fire safety measures, determine the minimum acceptable standard - notional fire door (such as pre 1980's doors using a 25mm rebate and no seals), upgraded notional door (notional but retrofitted with intumescent strips & smoke seals) or current standard (FD30/30S usually with certification sticker) if using Government fire safety guidance definitions or nominal. notional & compliant if using the British Standard.
It should also determine, if not already detailed in a still valid fire strategy, which doors do & don't need to be fire doors.

Only then should you have the detailed door inspection as otherwise you could be paying for doors to be inspected that don't need to be and paying for replacement door sets that aren't needed as if sent in blind many fire door inspectors will check every single door in a building and hold it to the 'installed new yesterday' standards