Where fire doors are required
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out where fire doors must be installed — typically apartment entry doors, doors to fire-isolated stairs and passages, plant rooms, risers and other openings in fire-separating walls. Their job is to hold back fire and smoke long enough for people to escape and for the building to be compartmentalised.
Installation — AS 1905.1
Fire door sets must be installed in accordance with AS 1905.1. This covers the complete assembly — leaf, frame, seals, gaps and hardware — not just the door itself. An otherwise-good fire door installed with the wrong clearances or hardware is non-compliant.
Inspection & maintenance — AS 1851
Once installed, fire doors must be inspected and maintained under AS 1851. Inspectors check the door's condition, clearances and gaps, seals, self-closing and latching, hardware and tagging on a routine cycle. Faults are rectified to keep the door performing.
The Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)
Each year the building owner (or owners corporation) must lodge an Annual Fire Safety Statement confirming the building's essential fire safety measures — including fire doors — have been assessed by a competent person. The fire door inspection and maintenance records feed into this. The statutory assessment and sign-off is carried out by an Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety).
Common reasons a fire door is non-compliant
- Gaps between the leaf and frame outside tolerance
- Perished, painted-over or missing seals and intumescent strips
- A door closer that no longer closes and latches the door
- Unapproved modifications — extra locks, peepholes, kick plates
- Damage to the leaf or frame
- Missing or incorrect fire door tags and signage
This guide is general information, not statutory advice. For sign-off and compliance decisions, speak with your strata manager and your nominated fire safety practitioner.