Frequently asked questions - Fire Door Compliance

Fire Doors are an integral component of the fire protection in buildings and are known as “passive fire protection systems”. They are installed in walls constructed as fire barriers and each fire door has a fire rating known as a fire resistant level (FRL) as does the wall itself. The term “fire door” is the common short form used for a “fire-resistant-doorset”. A fire resistant doorset consists of a door leaf, doorframe and associated hardware such as closers, handles, locks, vision panels, air grills and matching fire door tags on the door and door frame. Fire doors are required to be self-closing and latching. Fire doors allow a passageway through fire resistant walls for building occupants. When closed fire doors restrict the spread of smoke, flames, toxic gases and other effects of fire. 

If you are unsure of whether your building has fire doors installed you should look at the building’s plans and specifications which were accepted as part of the building’s approval. The building owner should have a copy of these plans and the building’s Certificate of Classification. Alternatively, the local government should have a copy of the building’s approval records in their files. You can also contact a building certifier to confirm the requirements for the building and they will be able to identify your building’s classification and by using the date of approval and the applicable legislation and codes, the prescribed Fire Safety Installations can be ascertained.  

Queensland is governed under the Queensland Development Code (QDC) Mandatory Part 6.1- Maintenance of fire safety installations.

Prescribed fire safety installations are services and equipment that are required by the Act to safeguard occupants from illness or injury while evacuating during a fire and to provide facilities for occupants and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) to undertake fire-fighting operations. These installations can also prevent the spread of fire between floors or compartments of a building.

If you have a prescribed fire safety installation in your building you must comply with the code. 

Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP 6.1 requires the building occupier to provide a copy of the yearly 'occupier's statement' to the Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirming that the building's fire safety installations have been maintained in accordance with the QDC. The occupier's statement must be submitted when the annual maintenance program for all of the fire safety installations has been finished.For more information on your obligations please refer to Queensland Development Code MP 6.1 Guidelines or the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website.

 The frequency of your building's required inspections is based on the classification of your building listed against the NCC (National Construction Code). In most cases your building Certificate of Classification will be on display near your front entry.  Your building classification is then reference against QDC MP6.1 for your required frequencies. For example: Class 2 Residential Unit Complex require inspections every 12 months, whereas Class 5 commercial and office based building require every 6 months.  

 It is not essential for a building manager to be present at time of a fire door inspection. However, our staff will need to have access to appropriate keys and swipe cards while conducting the inspection. A building manager may be required on site for some construction work involving fire door installations.