, please spend more than £50The knowledge qualification for fire door inspectors
The NFAQ Award in Fire Door Inspection provides the structured knowledge foundation required to inspect fire-resisting door assemblies competently and in accordance with current UK legislation, British Standards, and industry best practice.
The course is built specifically around the post-Grenfell legislative landscape — the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and the Building Safety Act 2022 SKEB competence framework. Every module is written to reflect the real demands placed on inspectors working in residential blocks, commercial properties, and public buildings today.
Fully online and self-paced, the course can be completed in your own time over six months. Assessment is in two parts: a 30-question multiple choice paper and a written inspection scenario. Pass both, and your NFAQ digital certificate is issued within three working days.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:
Explain how fire develops and the role of passive fire protection in containing it
Identify the legal duties of the Responsible Person under current fire safety legislation
Understand the requirements of Approved Document B and the FS(E) Regulations 2022
Interpret fire door certification, BS EN 1634-1, CE/UKCA marking and scope of test
Inspect every component of a fire door assembly systematically and consistently
Measure and assess gap tolerances using the correct tools and method
Classify defects by severity and determine appropriate remediation actions
Produce clear, legally compliant inspection reports for the Responsible Person
Nine modules — 8 to 10 hours of learning
Each module ends with a knowledge check. Progress through the modules in any order and return to content at any time during your six-month access window.
1 Fire Science and Passive Fire Protection Understand how fire develops and spreads, and why passive fire protection — particularly compartmentation — is the primary strategy for protecting life in a building fire.
- The fire triangle and stages of fire development
- Flashover — the critical threshold
- Smoke and toxic gases as the primary cause of fatalities
- Passive vs active fire protection
- Compartmentation and fire door ratings (FD30, FD60, FDS)
- How fire doors protect means of escape
2 Legislative and Regulatory Framework A thorough grounding in the legislation that creates the demand for qualified fire door inspectors — and the duties your clients are legally required to fulfil.
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — Article 17 maintenance duty
- Who is the Responsible Person?
- Fire Safety Act 2021 — flat entrance doors and external walls
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — quarterly and annual checks
- Record-keeping obligations
- Building Safety Act 2022 and the SKEB competence framework
3 Building Regulations and Approved Document B How fire door requirements are set at design and construction stage, and what documentation should exist in any building you inspect.
- Building Regulations 2010 — structure and purpose
- Approved Document B (ADB) Volumes 1 and 2
- Fire door requirements by location and building type
- New builds vs existing buildings — different standards apply
- Regulation 38 — fire safety information handover
- What documentation should exist and what to do when it doesn't
4 Standards, Testing and Certification Understand the difference between the legacy British standard and the current European standard, and how to find and interpret certification evidence on site.
- BS 476-22:1987 — the legacy standard for existing stock
- BS EN 1634-1:2014+A1:2018 — the current standard
- How fire door assemblies are tested
- Third-party certification schemes (BWF-Certifire, BM TRADA Q-Mark)
- CE marking vs UKCA marking — what each means for inspectors
- Declaration of Performance and where to find it
5 Fire Door Components and Their Function A component-by-component breakdown of the fire door assembly — what every element does and what happens to fire performance when it fails or is substituted.
- Door leaf construction and core specification
- Frame, rebate and threshold requirements
- Intumescent strips — how they work and what can go wrong
- Smoke seals — types, function and placement
- Hinges — minimum quantity, specification and rating
- Self-closing devices, hold-open devices and EM releases
- Fire-rated glazing, ironmongery and signage
6 Manufacturer Data, CE and UKCA Marking Learn to read and apply manufacturer data sheets, understand the scope of test, and handle missing or illegible certification labels correctly.
- The scope of test — what it covers and why deviations matter
- Extended Field of Application (EFoA) rules
- Reading and applying manufacturer data sheets
- Door leaf label locations and what a compliant label contains
- How to handle absent or illegible labels professionally
7 Systematic Inspection Methodology The structured six-step inspection process that ensures every inspection is thorough, consistent and defensible — from pre-inspection preparation to the closer test.
- Pre-inspection preparation and documentation review
- A systematic 6-step inspection approach
- Inspecting the door leaf — both faces and all four edges
- Gap measurement — tools, technique and tolerances (3mm standard)
- Hardware inspection and the self-closing device test
- Seals, glazing and why you must always inspect both sides
8 Defect Identification and Remediation Apply a four-tier defect classification system, understand what can be repaired vs what requires replacement, and know your professional duty when risk is immediate.
- Four-tier classification: Critical, Major, Minor, Observation
- Critical defects — examples and immediate notification duty
- Major and minor defects by component category
- What repairs are acceptable without voiding certification
- When a door must be replaced rather than repaired
- Knowing and staying within your professional limits
9 Recording, Reporting and Client Documentation Produce inspection records and reports that satisfy legal requirements, protect your professional reputation, and communicate clearly to a non-specialist audience.
- What must be recorded for every door inspected
- Legal record-keeping requirements under the FSO and FS(E) Regs 2022
- Photographic evidence best practice
- Inspection report structure — six sections
- Writing effectively for the Responsible Person
- Prioritising recommendations: Immediate / 30 days / Routine
Who should take this course?
This qualification is designed for professionals who inspect fire doors in the course of their work, or who want to add fire door inspection to their professional offering.
Maintenance contractors
Building maintenance companies adding formal inspection to their fire door service offering.
Fire safety consultants
Consultants and surveyors expanding their competence portfolio to include fire door inspection.
Housing association staff
Facilities and compliance teams responsible for fire door checks in residential blocks above 11m.
Building surveyors
Surveyors who need to assess fire door condition as part of wider building inspections.
Property managers
Managing agents and building managers who need to demonstrate competent person status to regulators.
Local authority teams
Council housing and estates teams responsible for fire door compliance across residential portfolios.
Assessment — two components
The qualification assessment is completed entirely online. Both components must be passed to achieve the award. Results are displayed immediately for Part A; Part B is marked by a qualified NFAQ assessor within five working days.
Part A — Multiple choice
Part B — Written scenario
Learners may resit failed components after a 24-hour cooling off period. A maximum of three attempts per component is permitted within the six-month enrolment period.
NFAQ digital certificate
NFAQ Award in Fire Door Inspection (NFAQ-FDI-L3)
On passing both assessment components, your NFAQ digital certificate is issued within three working days. Each certificate carries a unique reference number that can be verified instantly through the NFAQ register at nfaq.co.uk/verify — giving employers, clients and regulators confidence in your qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Does this course make me a competent fire door inspector?
Is there any prior experience needed?
How long do I have to complete the course?
What if I fail the assessment?
Can I buy the course for multiple members of my team?
Ready to get qualified?
Enrol today and start your NFAQ Award in Fire Door Inspection. Six months' access, fully online, digital certificate on completion.