In the UK, there are a number of important fire door accreditations and certifications which attest to the quality of the fire doors installed and maintained within any one building. Each fire door accreditation is provided and upheld by a range of third-party organisations. They exist with the purpose of improving the quality of fire doors and holding fire door installers to account for the quality of the installation and ongoing maintenance work they provide.

If you are responsible for ensuring that the fire doors in your building are compliant with key fire door regulations, fire door accreditations therefore offer peace of mind that your passive fire protection is as sound as it can be. We have created this short guide to ensure that you understand the different types of certifications and why they matter, enabling you to seek out an accredited fire door installer with confidence. 

Why Is Fire Door Accreditation Important?

Fire doors are one of the most critical components of fire safety in any kind of building. They act as a potentially life-saving barrier, slowing down the spread of fire and smoke and allowing for a timely and safe evacuation of a building in the event of an emergency. However, not all fire doors are manufactured in the same way and even the highest quality door can fail to perform if it is inadequately installed or maintained. 

Fire door accreditation ensures that appropriate care and attention have been applied through all aspects of the fire door installation and maintenance process, giving you the reassurance and peace and mind that each and every door can perform its intended function in the event of a fire. The assurance of a fire door accreditation can also be valuable in terms of compliance and proving that you have taken appropriate steps to guarantee the safety of building occupants.

Key Accreditations And Certifications To Look Out For

When choosing your fire doors or arranging to work with a fire door installer or maintenance company, there are a number of key accreditations and certifications that you can look out for. Those holding the relevant fire door accreditations should always be your first port of call for both inspection and remedial work and you can identify trusted professionals as those who hold one or all of the following accreditations.

FIRAS

The Fire Accreditation Scheme (FIRAS) is a third-party fire door certification which accredits companies based on the quality of their fire door installation, inspection and maintenance. It is a voluntary scheme and requires companies to undergo a thorough audit, testifying for the quality of their work as well as their methods of documentation and quality control. The presence of a FIRAS certification therefore offers assurance that a fire door installer adheres to industry regulations at every level.

BM Trada

Globally recognised certification body BM Trada also offers a comprehensive fire door accreditation: the BM Trada Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and Maintenance Scheme. Firms holding the BM Trada Q-Mark are typically viewed as the gold standard when it comes to fire door installation and maintenance, as the certification process is rigorous and thorough and covers every aspect of fire door safety. Each BM Trada accredited firm will have a certified representative who holds the responsibility of upholding consistent processes, ensuring that high standards are company-wide. 

British Standards Institution (BSI)

The well-known British Standards Institution also certifies fire doors against set standards. Unlike FIRAS and BM Trada which offer fire door accreditations covering the work of the installers/maintenance companies, BSI’s fire door certifications are related to the quality of the physical doors themselves. For example, BS 476 and BS EN 1634 assess how well a door can resist fire and control the spread of smoke and flames throughout the building and therefore offer assurance that it will perform in an emergency.

Work With An Accredited Fire Door Installer

Given that fire door accreditation provides crucial reassurance of fire safety within a building, working with an accredited fire door installer is essential. Accredited installers and maintenance companies have undergone specific training and assessment to ensure they understand fire door systems and play a critical role in helping you to prove that you have met your obligations when it comes to fire safety. 

As an accredited fire door installer, WGP Maintenance can help you further understand your fire door requirements and assist you in the implementation of an effective passive fire protection strategy. We have held the BM Trada Q-Mark certification for over a decade, attesting to the standard of work we deliver, our experience in the sector and the reassurance we can offer you and your company. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our expertise can help you.