Competence
Who is legally allowed to install a fire door?
UK law doesn't list a single qualification — it requires a 'competent person'. Here's what that means in practice, and the third-party schemes that prove it.
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What the law says
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that any work on fire safety equipment — including fire doors — is carried out by a "competent person". The law deliberately doesn't list a single qualification, because competence depends on the work. For fire doors, the recognised proof of competence is third-party certification.
The three main UK installer schemes
BM TRADA Q-Mark
The most widely recognised scheme. Installers are audited annually, every door fitted is logged with a unique Q-Mark label, and the assembly is certified to BS 476-22 / BS EN 1634-1 when fitted to the manufacturer's instructions.
BWF FIRAS
Run by the British Woodworking Federation. Installers are individually accredited (not just the company), and each installation receives a numbered certificate showing the installer's name, the door reference and the date.
IFC Certified Installer Scheme
Run by IFC Certification (part of Warringtonfire). Similar audit and certification process. Common with larger contractors working on social housing and HMO portfolios.
Why third-party certification matters
Without a recognised installer certification, two problems arise:
- The manufacturer's test certificate is voided. A door set is only certified when installed per the manufacturer's instructions. An uncertified installer can't sign that off.
- Insurance and enforcement. Insurers and Fire and Rescue Services will routinely ask for installer certification. "We use experienced joiners" is not a defence.
Can a general builder install a fire door?
Legally, yes — if they can prove competence. In practice, almost no general builder can. The installation tolerances are tight (3mm ± 1mm gaps), intumescent positioning is unforgiving, and the paperwork trail expected by a fire risk assessor isn't something a non-specialist will produce. Use a scheme-certified installer.
What you should receive after installation
- A certificate per door (Q-Mark, FIRAS or IFC)
- The manufacturer's data sheet for the door set
- Photographs of the intumescent seals, hinges and gap measurements
- The location, FD rating and reference number recorded against each door
This is the paperwork your next fire risk assessment will ask for.
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