Fire door survey, how reliable are they?

Hello, I am looking for advice on how to proceed regarding my flat’s main fire door. Our managing agent recently arranged for fire door surveys to be completed by an agency for all flats in our building.

​The report requested that I complete the following repairs: replace the hinges and letterbox, ensure the gaps around the door are between 2–4mm (some of my current gaps are only 1mm), and install a door closer. The managing agent has instructed me to ensure an FD30 compliance certificate is issued for the door once the work is completed.

However, they have not provided a timeline for this work, nor have they explained the consequences if it is not done.

​I invited two local carpenters to quote for the job. Both were happy to carry out the repairs specified in the report for £400–£500 (including parts), but both stated they are unable to issue an FD30 certificate. They mentioned they perform this type of remedial work almost daily due to recent legislative changes.

​A third professional inspected the door and quoted £800. He pointed out additional issues not mentioned in the report, claiming that both the locks and the spyhole also need to be replaced.

​A fourth professional stated he could complete the work and secure an FD30 certificate via BM TRADA. However, he noted that the spyhole and locks require a fire-resistant intumescent wrap to be compliant. Furthermore, he pointed out that the bottom of the door has a 15mm L-shaped cut to fit the raised threshold, which is non-compliant.

He proposed grinding down the raised threshold with an angle grinder, shaving the bottom of the door flat, and installing intumescent strips on all sides for £400. He warned that leaving the L-shaped cut as-is would result in an automatic inspection failure.

I was close to hiring him, but he insisted on cash payment, which made me uncomfortable, so I declined.

​I then sought two more quotes from highly-rated, established carpentry businesses. The first provided an online quote for a brand-new door, stating they cannot repair the existing one because the L-shaped cut makes it an automatic failure. The second carpenter offered to complete the agency-specified repairs for £400, claiming the L-shaped cut is standard (noting that all flats in the building have it) and that intumescent strips are never applied to the bottom of a door anyway. Neither of these companies can issue an FD30 certificate.

​I contacted the agency for clarification, but they refused to comment on items not in the original report (such as the locks or the L-shaped cut) without a reinspection and an additional fee.

​I am in a difficult position. The agency will likely return next January on the managing agent’s instructions.

How likely is it that they will flag these additional issues (the locks and the L-shaped cut) during their next inspection?

Thank you,

Rita