Fire Door Certification
The Importance of Fire Door Certification: Protecting Lives, Property and Peace of Mind
At Fire Guard Services, we believe that when it comes to fire protection, there is no room for compromise. Fire door certification is not just a legal requirement—it’s a vital component of a comprehensive passive fire protection strategy. Properly assessed or certified fire doors save lives, protect property, and ensure buildings are safe and compliant with UK regulations.
In this article, we explain why fire door accreditations matter, the different certification schemes available in the UK, and how Fire Guard Services can support you in ensuring your fire doors meet the highest standards.
Why Fire Door Certification Matters
Fire door certifications provide verified, third-party assurance that a fire door has been rigorously tested and is fit for purpose. These certifications are not optional—they are essential for safety, legal compliance, and peace of mind.
- Safety First
Fire doors play a crucial role in a building’s passive fire protection by helping to contain fire and smoke within designated compartments. This containment can be the difference between life and death during an emergency. Certification ensures your fire doors have been properly installed and maintained to perform as intended.
- Legal Responsibility
Building owners, facilities managers and duty holders have a clear legal duty under UK fire safety legislation to ensure all fire doors are installed and maintained in line with the required standards. If an incident occurs and fire doors are found to be non-compliant, those responsible may be held legally liable. Certification provides essential documentation to demonstrate due diligence and ongoing compliance.
- Audit Trail and Compliance
Modern regulations, including those aligned with the ‘golden thread’ of building safety information, require a transparent audit trail for all fire safety measures. Fire door certification forms a key part of this, evidencing compliance throughout the lifecycle of a building.
The Regulatory Landscape for Fire Door Certification in the UK
Several organisations provide accreditation for fire doors and their installation, each operating to high industry standards. Certification bodies must ensure that fire doors are tested, installed, and maintained according to strict performance criteria. Key accrediting bodies include:
Let’s explore what some of what these certifications entail.
FIRAS Certification
FIRAS is one of the UK’s leading third-party certification schemes for fire protection. Managed by Warrington Certification Ltd and accredited by UKAS, FIRAS verifies that fire doors (and their associated components such as closers, hinges, and locks) have been installed to the highest standards.
With FIRAS, all fire door installers must hold individual licences, which are only granted following assessment and ongoing audit inspections. This ensures consistent quality and compliance across every installation.
BM TRADA – Q-Mark Fire Door Scheme
BM TRADA offers the Q-Mark Fire Door Scheme, which certifies both fire and smoke control doors. Recognised by Building Control Bodies and the Fire and Rescue Service, this certification covers both installation and manufacturing standards.
Unlike FIRAS, BM TRADA allows a supervisor to hold a licence under which a team of technicians may operate. However, the responsibility for compliance ultimately rests with that supervisor. When you work with Fire Guard Services, we ensure this supervisory process is robust, accountable, and transparent.
BWF Fire Door Alliance
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) launched its Fire Door Alliance Scheme in 1997 to promote third-party certification across the manufacturing and supply chain. The scheme covers the fire door itself as well as essential components like intumescent seals, locks, and hinges.
With initial type testing, factory audits, and regular surveillance of certified manufacturers, this certification gives comprehensive assurance. Look for the BWF’s certification marks on your fire doors—they signal integrity, quality, and peace of mind.
British Standards Institution (BSI)
BSI is the UK’s national standards body, developing internationally recognised benchmarks such as BS 476 and BS EN 1634, which define fire resistance performance for doors and building elements. Fire doors tested and certified by BSI undergo rigorous examination, and the organisation conducts ongoing manufacturer surveillance to ensure continued compliance.
Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)
LPCB focuses on safety and security products, offering certification under schemes such as LPS 1056 for fire doors and windows. Their process includes laboratory testing of fire door assemblies and thorough factory production control checks.
At Fire Guard Services, we recognise LPCB certification as a hallmark of quality and routinely work with doors that meet this robust standard.
What Are Fire Door Plugs?
Fire door plugs—small, coloured labels—are physical indicators that a fire door has passed accredited testing. These can typically be found on the top or hanging edge of the door and help identify its fire resistance rating:
- Yellow: 30 minutes
- Blue: 60 minutes
- Brown or Black: 90 minutes
While helpful for visual identification, plugs alone are not sufficient for compliance. A full certification trail is required to prove that a door is a primary tested product—tested as a complete unit and installed in accordance with British or European standards.
Do Your Fire Doors Comply?
If you’re unsure whether your fire doors are fully certified, properly maintained, or compliant with current regulations, we’re here to help. Fire Guard Services offers thorough fire door inspections, certification services, maintenance, and remedial work, all carried out by accredited professionals.
Installation of fire doors is just the start — we make sure they’re fit for purpose, day in and day out.
Let’s Safeguard Your Building—Together
With decades of experience in fire protection and a team of qualified experts, Fire Guard Services is trusted by businesses, facilities managers and landlords across
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- London
- Northamptonshire
Our work is driven by a commitment to safety, integrity, and the highest possible standards.
Contact us today to schedule a fire door inspection or to learn more about our Fire Door Certification services.