Fire Door Standards in Melbourne: How to Avoid Fines in 2024

A propped-open fire door in a Carlton aged care home recently triggered a $26,000 fine – and that’s just the start of Melbourne’s crackdown. Under the 2024 Building Code amendments, fire doors now face tougher inspections across healthcare, commercial, and residential projects.

Here’s what construction firms and facility managers need to know about Fire Resistance Level (FRL) ratings, testing protocols, and suburb-specific enforcement trends.

1. The 3 Numbers Every Melbourne Builder Must Know: FRL Ratings

Fire doors are graded by Fire Resistance Level (FRL) in minutes (e.g., -/60/30):

• Structural adequacy (first number): Rarely applies to doors
• Integrity (second number): 30/60/120 mins – prevents fire spread
• Insulation (third number): 30/60 mins – limits heat transfer

Melbourne’s 2024 Minimums:

Building TypeRequired FRLCommon Suburb ExamplesHospitals (Parkville)-/120/120Royal Melbourne, EpworthHigh-rises (CBD)-/90/60Collins Street towersWarehouses (Dandenong)-/60/30Industrial estatesSchools (Glen Waverley)-/60/60Education precincts

*"We’re rejecting 1 in 4 doors in post-construction inspections,"* says a City of Melbourne building surveyor. "Most fail on frame gaps or incorrect seals."

2. The 5 Most Common Reasons Fire Doors Fail in Melbourne

1. Incorrect Gaps
   • Max 3mm around edges (4mm if smoke seals installed)
   • Recent CBD office failed with 7mm gaps at base
2. Non-Compliant Hardware
   • Must use AS 1905.1-certified:
     • Self-closing devices (fines if doors don’t latch automatically)
     • Intumescent strips (swell in heat)
3. Modified Doors
   • Adding unapproved vision panels voids ratings
   • Case study: A Footscray hospital altered doors for bed access – $18K remediation
4. Poor Maintenance
   • Sticking doors in humid areas (e.g., St Kilda beachfront apartments)
   • Worn seals in high-traffic zones (shopping centre service corridors)
5. Documentation Issues
   • Missing test certificates from manufacturers
   • No maintenance logs (required under AS 1851-2012)

3. Step-by-Step: Passing a Fire Door Inspection

Pre-Inspection Checklist

✔ Verify FRL rating matches occupancy permit
✔ Test self-closing mechanism (must latch from any position)
✔ Measure gaps with feeler gauges (under 3mm)
✔ Check certification tags on hinges and seals

The Inspection Process

1. Visual Audit (20-30 mins per door)
   • Fire Services Victoria looks for:
     • Illegible ratings labels
     • Field modifications (drilled holes, added paint)
2. Performance Test (select doors)
   • Smoke penetration test (if rated for smoke control)
   • Force measurement (max 110N to open from inside)

4. 2024 Enforcement Trends: Where Melbourne is Cracking Down

• Healthcare: Unannounced audits at Parkville medical precincts
• Construction Sites: Spot checks on door installations in Fishermans Bend developments
• Short-Stay Accommodation: Airbnb hosts in St Kilda/Melbourne reporting door violations

Recent Penalties:

• $14,300 fine to a Box Hill developer for installing residential-grade doors in a disability home
• $8,250 penalty to a Docklands building manager for 11 non-latching doors

5. Cost-Saving Tips Without Cutting Corners

1. Pre-Installation Testing
   • Test 10% of door batch before full installation (saves rework costs)
2. Preventative Maintenance
   • Quarterly checks of:
     • Hinge alignment
     • Seal adhesion
     • Closing speed
3. Bundled Services
   • Combine door inspections with Fire Safety Certificate renewals

"We Inherited Non-Compliant Doors – What Now?"

1. Priority Risk Assessment
   • Focus on fire-isolated exits first (stairwells, corridors)
2. Phased Upgrades
   • Replace highest-risk doors immediately (e.g., kitchen adjacent)
   • Schedule others within 12 months
3. Apply for VBA Variations
   • Some heritage buildings (e.g., Carlton terraces) qualify for alternative solutions

Next Steps for Melbourne Properties

Behind on compliance? Our Melbourne team offers:

• Pre-inspection door audits (48-hour turnaround)
• AS 1905.1-compliant retrofits for older buildings – Get a quote before June 30 price rises.