TL;DR: Picking the Best Fire Door Inspection App
Choose an app that offers customizable checklists, offline mode, easy photo capture, fast reporting, and task tracking. Bonus: QR code/NFT tag scanning, cloud backup, analytics. Always test in the field before committing.
Fire doors are critical life safety components. But without regular inspections and proper documentation, even certified doors can become liabilities. The right fire door inspection app helps ensure you don’t miss a single detail—streamlining compliance, simplifying recordkeeping, and reducing risk. In this guide, we show you what to look for when selecting a fire door inspection app—whether you’re a facility manager, safety officer, or fire protection specialist.
What to Look For in a Fire Door Inspection App
Fire safety professionals need tools that support both code compliance and operational efficiency. The table below outlines key features aligned with NFPA 80 requirements and modern inspection workflows.
| Feature | Must-Have | Nice-to-Have |
| Customizable Checklists | ✔️ | |
| Offline Mode | ✔️ | |
| Easy Photo / Video Capture | ✔️ | |
| Fast Reporting | ✔️ | |
| Easy Task Tracking | ✔️ | |
| QR Code / NFT Tag Scanning | ➕ | |
| Analytics | ➕ | |
| Cloud Backup | ➕ | |
| Templates | ➕ | |
| IT-Integration | ➕ | |
| Multi-User Support | ➕ |
Next, let’s look at individual features in detail.
1. Customizable Checklists
Your app should allow you to tailor inspection templates to match NFPA 80, local fire codes, and your organization’s internal procedures. Avoid rigid, one-size-fits-all tools—especially when managing diverse building types. Flexibility is critical: a hospital, for example, may have different inspection needs than a high-rise or school.
Why it matters: This feature ensures you can adapt inspections to the specific requirements of each facility, saving time and reducing risk—especially for teams working across multiple sites or complex environments.
2. Offline Capability
Many fire doors are located in basements, stairwells, or mechanical rooms—areas with unreliable or no internet access. That’s why offline functionality is essential.
Why it matters: This feature allows inspectors to work uninterrupted in low-signal areas and ensures data is automatically synced once reconnected—supporting efficient workflows in real-world field conditions.
3. Photo & Video Documentation
A picture isn’t just worth a thousand words—it could be worth thousands in legal protection. The best fire door inspection apps support timestamped photos, markup tools, and even 360-degree visual documentation.
Why it matters: This feature enhances your documentation trail for audits, warranty claims, or fault detection. It simplifies issue communication and provides vital visual evidence for compliance and liability protection.
4. Automated Reports
Generating inspection reports manually is time-consuming and error-prone. High-quality apps generate professional, code-aligned reports instantly, including PDF exports suitable for submission to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) or internal stakeholders.
Why it matters: This feature can save several hours per user each week, according to surveys conducted with thousands of our customers. It reduces administrative overhead while ensuring standardized, audit-ready documentation.
5. Task & Issue Tracking
Inspections often uncover problems that need follow-up: faulty hinges, damaged labels, or failed self-closing mechanisms. Choose an app that allows you to create tasks, assign them to the right team, and monitor their completion.
Why it matters: This feature supports a closed-loop process from inspection to resolution—essential for managing repairs, ensuring corrective actions are completed, and maintaining long-term fire door compliance.
Nice-to-Have Features That Add Value
These features aren’t essential for every inspection team, but they can make a big difference in speed, traceability, and collaboration—especially at scale.
🔍 QR Code / NFC Tag Scanning
Speeds up recurring inspections by allowing teams to scan tags and instantly pull up historical data for each fire door.
📊 Analytics & Dashboards
Helps safety managers track inspection trends, identify recurring issues, and benchmark team performance over time.
💿 Cloud Backup & Centralized Access
Ensures no report or photo is ever lost, and allows distributed teams to collaborate in real time from anywhere.
📒 Template Library
Access pre-built checklists aligned with NFPA 80 or regional codes to save setup time and ensure consistency.
💻 IT System Integration (e.g. CMMS, BIM)
Useful for large organizations that want inspection data to flow into broader facility management systems.
🧑🤝🧑 Multi-User Support
Enables large teams or contractors to work simultaneously across multiple locations with role-based access.
Checklist: How to Evaluate a Fire Door Inspection App in Practice
Before committing to any fire door inspection app, it’s essential to test how well it performs under real-world conditions. A feature list alone won’t tell you how intuitive, fast, or reliable the app is when used on-site. Use the checklist below to simulate a complete inspection workflow and evaluate whether the app meets your operational and compliance needs.
✅ Pro tip: Run this evaluation with one or two real users from your inspection team to gather feedback on usability and performance.
Customize Checklists for Your NFPA 80 Process
Check if you can easily adapt templates to match door labels, frame types, signage, or egress requirements.
▶︎ Should take no more than 10 minutes for a basic checklist.
Perform an Offline Inspection and Verify Sync
Simulate low-signal conditions and check if the app stores data locally and syncs correctly once reconnected.
▶︎ Data should sync within 1 minute after reconnecting.
Capture and Export Timestamped Photos / Videos
Take 3–5 photos or a video during a mock inspection and verify whether timestamps and markup tools are easy to use.
▶︎ Photo capture and transmit to other users should happen almost instantly.
Generate a PDF Report in Under 2 Minutes
After completing an inspection, try exporting a full, code-aligned report with all entries and photos.
▶︎ Report generation should take < 2 minutes and be formatted clearly.
Assign and Close a Test Task
Log a defect, assign it to a user or team, and simulate task completion with comments and resolution evidence.
▶︎ The full task cycle should be trackable and closeable in < 5 steps.
Invite a Second User and Test Collaboration
Add a colleague to your test project and try editing the same inspection together.
▶︎ User roles and permissions should be clearly manageable and changes synced in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best fire door inspection app?
There is no universal “best” app—it depends on your building type, inspection workflow, and compliance requirements. Look for core features like customizable NFPA 80 checklists, offline capability, timestamped photo capture, and automated reporting. The best way to choose is to test the app under real inspection conditions.
Are fire door inspection apps compliant with NFPA 80?
Most professional apps are designed to align with NFPA 80 standards, but compliance depends on proper configuration. Always verify that you can customize inspection templates and reports to match both national codes and local AHJ requirements.
How often should fire door inspections be documented?
NFPA 80 requires documented annual inspections for all fire-rated doors. However, some facility managers conduct more frequent checks—quarterly or monthly—based on risk assessments, occupancy type, or insurance guidelines.
Can fire door inspection apps replace paper-based reports?
Yes. Most fire door inspection apps generate code-compliant, professional reports that meet NFPA 80 and AHJ requirements. Digital reports reduce paperwork, minimize errors, and provide instant access to documentation for audits or corrective actions.
Are digital fire door inspections accepted by authorities?
Yes. Most Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) accept digital fire door inspections—provided the reports are accurate, code-compliant, and include proper documentation such as timestamps, photos, and signatures. Always check with your local AHJ to confirm specific formatting or submission requirements.
PlanRadar: A Flexible Fire Door Inspection App That Works for You
If you’re looking for a proven solution to manage fire door inspections more efficiently, PlanRadar offers a platform built for real-world compliance and collaboration.
🎯 Flexible – Customize checklists, reports, and workflows to match NFPA 80 and your internal requirements.
🤝 Collaborative – Share data, assign tasks, and track issues across teams, contractors, or building owners—all in one place.
🕒 Available Anytime – Work offline on-site and sync your data whenever you’re back online. All project information is securely stored and accessible 24/7.
👍 Easy to Use – Intuitive design means your team can get started fast—no steep learning curve, no time lost.
PlanRadar offers FCS efficiencies, transparency and the Golden Thread of Information which provides a greater quality of service provided to clients
Learn more about how PlanRadar can help you streamline your fire door inspections and book a free product demo or compare prices for your business.
