As we look to improve the standards of safety across the built environment, it is imperative that we do not forget that fire stopping products are only as good as their methods of installation and maintenance. Here, Nick Froggatt, FIRAS Manager at Warringtonfire, discusses why the third-party certification of passive fire protection (PFP) product installation is intrinsic to enhancing fire safety.
Over the past five years, we have seen updates to existing building regulation guidance, such as Approved Document B (1) as well as the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 (2) which is focussed on making reforms to existing legislation to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers, and protections. Many of the detailed provisions in the Act will be implemented over the next few years through a programme of secondary legislation however some of these have already been introduced. This includes establishing the role of the Building Safety Regulator in England, as part of the Health and Safety Executive, who have been tasked with regulating higher risk buildings, raising safety standards of all buildings and helping professionals in design, construction and building control to improve their competence. In addition to the Building Safety Act 2022 other regulations such as the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (3), have come into force, which clarified the scope of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order for buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises and introduced new duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (4) for building owners or managers (responsible persons).
Much of the new regulation is focussed on improving the fire safety of buildings, and the transfer of information from building design through to completion and occupation, which has often been described as the ‘golden thread’(5). This term was used by Dame Judith Hackett in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (6). It is perhaps therefore no surprise that there has been increased adoption of third-party certification for the manufacture, installation and maintenance of PFP products.
In the UK, any PFP product including fire doors, fire collars, sealants, or door hardware must be tested to the relevant British Standards for fire resistance, and test data needs to be evidenced. While test reports are important and provide a level of assurance and benefit which should not be overlooked, they only provide information on the performance of the product in fire test conditions and do not represent and report on a manufacturer’s factory process or quality control procedure.
Independent UKAS accredited third-party certification schemes provide additional assurance on the product’s performance via additional conformity assessment activities such as sampling the product before testing, periodic inspection of the manufacturer’s factory production control and ongoing audit testing of the products supplied to market. Additionally, third-party certification schemes introduce mandatory labelling and marking that a manufacturer can use to identify the product as being manufactured under the auspices of a third-party certification scheme, which is particularly useful for ongoing risk assessment and maintenance requirements.
However, the performance of PFP products will only be as good as the installation method used by the companies who install them.
Currently there is no mandatory requirement for the manufacturers or installers of PFP products to be third-party certified. This means the assurance of product performance and traceability of PFP products, in many cases, is based on the test evidence that is provided for the product without the added assurance of the additional independent conformity assessment at the manufacturing stage and third-party inspections of the product’s installation against the manufacturer’s supplied instructions.
Unlocking multiple benefits
For fire safety product installers, independent UKAS accredited third-party certification provides tangible assurance on the performance of the product and increases trust that the product has been correctly installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s supplied instructions.
A reputable third-party certification scheme for the installation of PFP products will include annual or sporadic reviews to verify that those who are certified are meeting the requirements of the certification scheme, following the manufacturer’s installation instructions and that the work being conducted is providing the necessary level of added assurance to the end user and therefore the people that live and work in the building. This highlights third-party certified installers as reputable and reliable, making them stand out against competitors and encouraging more (and repeat) custom.
Similarly, for facilities managers, specifiers, and building owners / managers, using third-party certified installers brings many benefits. Instead of viewing third-party certified installers and products as a cost, it should be seen as a saving.
From a business perspective, possibly the biggest benefit is risk mitigation. By using a company that has achieved third-party certification for installation, such as Warringtonfire’s FIRAS scheme, it can be viewed as an effective means of providing assurances to stakeholders that the PFP products installed in their building are capable of providing the necessary level of fire protection, in the event of a fire within their building, protecting the means of escape and limiting damage to the building and contents.
The advantages of using third-party certified installation companies are understandably attractive for businesses, and this best practice ensures better building safety as standard. Going the extra mile and using reputable and third-party certified installation companies will help improve safety standards across the country and provide better traceability.
Golden opportunity
Achieving third-party certification is a rigorous process, which is why the schemes are held to such high regard in the fire safety industry. Under the requirements of the Warringtonfire FIRAS scheme, there are eight forms of acceptable evidence for demonstrating the performance of the products that are being installed. These include:
- Fire test evidence
- Classification report written in accordance with EN 13501 series of standards
- Technical assessment of fire performance (test laboratories and independent assessment/consultancy bodies)
- Technical assessment of fire performance (manufacturers) applicable for penetration, linear joint seals, and cavity barriers products only
- Fire performance certification scope of application
- The associated technical documents and relevant installation instructions that are issued with a CE/UKCA marked product covered by a scope of application given within a European Technical Assessment (ETA) that is linked to a valid Declaration of Performance (DoP)
- The associated technical documents and relevant installation instructions that are issued with a CE/UKCA marked product, which has been placed on the market in conformity with a harmonised/designated product standard. The product must be linked to a valid Declaration of Performance (DoP)
- Following the agreed specific design details for a project at which the installation work is to take place
The list of acceptable forms of evidence ensures the products have suitable supporting data and can be used as part of the evidence trail that follows the principle of the ‘golden thread’. Guidance issued by the UK government stipulates you must keep a digital record of information about a building if you are:
- A client, principal designer, or principal contractor working on a project that involves a higher-risk building
- An accountable person or principal accountable person responsible for a high-rise residential building
This helps relevant parties comply with their legal duties and manage building safety. Having a traceable record of how PFP products have been installed and the certification used to evidence this makes sure the ‘golden thread’ is being observed.
A better standard for all
Widespread adoption of independent UKAS accredited third-party certified PFP product installations depends on stakeholders and installation companies working together. Through a mutual understanding of the importance of accurate and reliable installation when it comes to PFP products, certification can become an accepted practice in the industry – bettering outcomes for all involved in ensuring building safety.
Reputable certification schemes, such as FIRAS have a track record of successful accreditation. The Warringtonfire scheme is now celebrating its 30-year anniversary and has awarded over 1,300 companies with FIRAS certification, resulting in over a quarter of a million projects completed under certification, to date.
If you want to join the over 1,300 companies who have achieved FIRAS certification, click here.
For more information about Warringtonfire’s FIRAS certification, click here.
Sources:
(1) Fire safety: Approved Document B - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
(2) Building Safety Act 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)
(3) Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
(4) The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (legislation.gov.uk)
(5) Keeping information about a higher-risk building: the golden thread - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
(6) Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Andy Williams / Ricco Leung / Alex Murray
element@wpragency.co.uk
0121 456 3004