Are Your Fire Safety Products Actually Certified?

When it comes to fire safety, the quality of your equipment isn’t just important, it’s critical. Whether it’s fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire doors or emergency lighting, only certified fire safety products can be trusted to perform when lives are at stake.

Yet in recent years, the UK fire safety industry has seen a rise in uncertified or counterfeit products entering the market, some of them bearing misleading or outright fake marks of compliance.

So how can you be sure the equipment in your building is up to standard? In this blog, we’ll explain how to spot genuine third-party certification, avoid counterfeit products, and understand the difference between CE and UKCA marks.

Why Certification Matters

Fire safety products must perform reliably under life-threatening conditions. Certification isn’t just about ticking a box, it’s about proving that a product:

• Meets minimum safety standards

• Has been independently tested by a qualified body

• Has undergone regular factory audits and quality control

• Will behave as expected in a real emergency

Installing non-certified or substandard products could lead to prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and more importantly, could result in loss of life if the product fails during a fire.

What Does “Third-Party Certified” Mean?

Third-party certification means a completely independent organisation has:

• Tested the product’s performance

• Audited the manufacturer’s production process

• Checked for consistency and compliance

• Issued a formal certificate confirming conformity

This is different from a manufacturer saying “we meet the standard.” Third-party certification proves it.

In the UK fire safety industry, respected third-party certifiers include:

• BSI Kitemark

• LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board)

• Warringtonfire / BM TRADA Q-Mark

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories)

• Intertek (ETL mark)

 

How to Spot Genuine Certification

1. Look for the Certification Mark

You should see a recognisable logo such as the BSI Kitemark, LPCB, or Q-Mark on:

• Product labels or casing

• Packaging

• Declaration of performance (for construction products)

• Product datasheets

Don’t confuse these with generic symbols like “CE” or “UKCA” alone, they are self-declared marks (more on that below).

2. Check the Certificate Number

Most certification marks will include a unique licence or approval number. You can:

• Look up the number on the certifier’s official database

• Ask your supplier for a copy of the certificate

• Verify the details match the product, manufacturer and model number

 

3. Be Wary of Too-Good-To-Be-True Pricing

Cheap, unbranded fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, or emergency lights sold online or from unknown suppliers may be:

• Poorly made

• Non-compliant

• Counterfeit or falsely marked

Always buy from reputable suppliers who can provide documentation and support.

CE vs UKCA: What’s the Difference?

Following Brexit, the UK introduced the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark as a replacement for CE marking in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales).

Here’s what you need to know:

Key Point:

CE and UKCA marks are self-declared; they show that a manufacturer believes their product meets legal requirements. But they are not third-party certifications.

You should still insist on additional third-party approval from BSI, LPCB, etc. when selecting life-safety equipment.

Products That Should Always Be Third-Party Certified

For fire safety, the following products should always carry independent third-party certification:

• Fire doors and door sets (e.g. FD30, FD60)

• Intumescent seals and strips

• Fire extinguishers

• Fire alarm panels and detectors

• Emergency lighting

• Fire-resistant glazing

• Passive fire protection materials (e.g. fire stopping, collars, compounds)

 

Warning Signs of Fake or Non-Compliant Products

• Vague or missing documentation

• No manufacturer name or contact details

• Misspelt labels or generic “complies with standard” statements

• Unusually low prices

• No mention of fire ratings (e.g. “FD30”) or test standards (e.g. BS EN 3 for extinguishers)

If in doubt, don’t install it. A faulty or untested fire safety product is not only dangerous, it can void your insurance and place your building outside of legal compliance.

Final Thoughts

Fire safety certification isn’t about branding, it’s about trust. In a real fire, there’s no margin for error. Only properly tested, certified equipment can give you the assurance that your system will perform as it should.

At Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy, we offer expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures. Get in touch today on 07585 896648