NEWS STORIES
Fire protection: The critical importance of certification in public buildings
When it comes to protecting lives and property, there are few areas more critical than fire safety, especially in public buildings. Schools, hospitals, libraries, council offices, and community facilities must ensure that fire protection measures are installed correctly, maintained, and meet the stringent standards set out in legislation.
Why fire protection matters in public buildings
Fire safety regulations in the UK have changed significantly, especially after incidents that exposed shortcomings in building safety. The Building Safety Act 2022 and the revised Approved Document B emphasise the importance of ensuring that individuals responsible for installing fire protection systems are properly qualified.
These regulations also place a duty on those in control of public buildings, known as the “Responsible Person,” to ensure comprehensive fire risk assessment, proper installation and maintenance of passive fire measures and thorough recordkeeping.
Unlike private homes, public buildings house large numbers of people, often including vulnerable residents or users. If a fire breaks out, there must be clear escape routes and systems to contain the spread of smoke and flames. That’s where passive fire protection comes in.
Passive fire protection includes fire doors, fire-resistant walls and ceilings, and firestopping around service penetrations. These components compartmentalise the building and slow the spread of fire, giving occupants more time to evacuate and the emergency services more time to respond.
But these systems only work if installed and maintained to the correct standard.
The role of certification
Recent regulatory changes have placed increased emphasis on competency. Third-party certification schemes ensure contractors have the technical knowledge and practical skills for critical fire protection work in public buildings. They include rigorous assessment, ongoing monitoring, and regular re-certification, giving owners and facilities managers confidence that the contractor understands the latest standards and uses approved products.
Certification provides independent proof that fire protection products and systems perform as intended and have been installed correctly by a competent contractor. In the UK, several recognised schemes, including BM TRADA, certify both the product and the installer.
Without certification, there’s no guarantee a fire door will provide its rated resistance, or that firestopping seals will contain a blaze. Uncertified work can also create legal liability for duty holders and serious risks for building users.
Fire doors: Stopping the spread of fire and smoke
Fire doors are the first line of defence in fire protection. Found in corridors, stairwells and high-risk areas, they are central to a building’s compartmentation strategy. But a certified fire door is only effective when correctly installed, inspected and maintained.
Fire doors must comply with BS 476, or BS EN 1634-1 from September 2029, with testing by accredited laboratories. Each assembly, including door leaf, frame, hardware, and seals, must be certified as a complete system.
Installation is equally crucial, as a door can fail if not fitted correctly. Certified installers understand tolerances, gap requirements and hardware specifications to ensure performance.
Firestopping: Sealing the gaps
Firestopping isn’t always visible, but it’s vital. It seals gaps around pipes, cables or ductwork to prevent fire and smoke from spreading between compartments.
Firestopping systems must be tested and certified to standards, typically achieving 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes of resistance.
Proper installation and maintenance require specialist knowledge. Firestopping isn’t just filling gaps, it’s understanding fire behaviour, material compatibility and performance under extreme conditions.
Why certification matters for public buildings
Public buildings have diverse users and mixed layouts. If fire safety is compromised, consequences can be devastating.
Third-party certification schemes like BM TRADA create a robust document trail for authorities and insurers, giving peace of mind for building occupiers that the fire protection has been installed and tested by a competent contractor.
Our accredited, dedicated fire division team understands the complex requirements of public sector projects. We stay up to date with the latest standards and best practices, and we’re committed to providing a compliant, documented, high-quality service every time.
If you’re responsible for fire safety in a public building and need a trusted partner to inspect, install, or upgrade your fire protection measures, get in touch with our team today. Call us on 01425 561061 or email info@carman-ltd.co.uk