A fire door that binds, swings open, stops short or fails to latch may have more than one possible cause. The issue can involve hinges, closer adjustment, frame geometry, floor clearance, seals, latching hardware or pressure differences. Repeatedly adjusting one component without checking the full door can hide the cause and create another problem.

Observe the door’s movement from different positions and note where resistance begins, whether the leaf moves freely when the closer is isolated in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedure, and whether the latch engages consistently. Check for rubbing marks, loose fixings, uneven gaps and recent building or maintenance work. Make adjustments only when the cause and permitted method are clear.

Explore our fire door closer guidance, hinge information and fault-finding system for a more evidence-led diagnosis.