Fire doors are a critical part of a building's passive fire protection system. They are engineered to slow the spread of fire and smoke, providing vital escape time for occupants and access for emergency services. However, a fire door is only effective if it's correctly specified, installed, and certified.
Two of the leading third-party certification schemes in the industry are Certifire and the BM TRADA Q-Mark. JELD-WEN UK manufactures fire doorsets that are certified by both schemes – so knowing how to identify both types is essential. This guide will walk you through the practical steps to identify and verify Certifire and Q-Mark certified fire doorsets.
Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying a Certified Fire Door
Identifying a certified fire door involves looking for specific labels and plugs that confirm it has been manufactured to the required standards. Here’s what to look for and where.
Step 1: Locate the Identification Label or Plug
Third-party certification schemes require manufacturers to place a permanent label or plug on the door. This marking is the primary indicator that the door is certified.
- Where to look: The label or plug is typically found on the top edge or hinge side length of the door leaf. You may need to open the door fully to see it.
- Where to look: The label or plug is typically found on the top edge or hinge side length of the door leaf. You may need to open the door fully to see it.
- BWF Certifire/Certisecure doors are identified by a label along the top edge of JELD-WEN fire deaf leaf, door kit and doorsets. JELD-WEN Certifire doorsets also include a fire door data pin label on the hinge side of the door leaf.
- What you'll see: The marking will be a small, colorful plastic plug or a durable label. It is designed to be tamper-proof and should not be remove, transferred or painted over.
Example of BWF label visible on the top edge of a JELD-WEN fire doorset. Examples of a plug on the hinge side of a JELD-WEN doorset.
Step 2: Read the Information on the Marking
Once you find the label or plug, examine it closely. The information it contains is key to verifying its certification.
- For Certifire: Look for a label that clearly displays the Certifire logo and a unique certificate number (e.g., CF XXX). The label will also specify the manufacturer and the door’s fire performance rating and a unique code which is used for manufacturing traceability.
Step 3: Check All Components
A certified door or doorset works as a complete system. In addition to the label on the door leaf, you should check for compatibility and certification of other components i.e CE/UKCA marked hinges and locks, or Certifire approved components. You should use the manufacturer’s fitting instructions and certification document for all information on componentry. All documentation for JELD-WEN fire doorsets is available to download on our website.
Step 4: Verify the Certification Online
The label or plug provides a unique identification number for a reason. You can use it to verify the door's certification status directly with the certification body. This step confirms the authenticity of the marking and provides detailed information about the product's scope of certification.
- To verify a Certifire product: Visit the Warringtonfire website and search their online directory of certified products using the certificate number found on the label.
- To verify a BM TRADA Q-Mark product: Go to the BM TRADA website and use their database to look up the manufacturer or certificate number.
This online check is the most reliable way to confirm that the door is genuine and that its certification is current.
Step 5: Fire door data pins for instant access
Traditionally, ensuring the ongoing safety and compliance of fire doors has been a cumbersome and often error-prone process. Paper-based documentation, manual inspections, and high risk of human errors. The digital data pins are embedded with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, allowing each fire door to be uniquely identified and tracked throughout its lifecycle. These data pins provide a unique identification to a stored cloud database detailing specific doorset manufacturing information such as door type, ironmongery list, installation details, maintenance records, inspection dates, and any relevant compliance certificates that support the golden thread of information.
- For a Certifire products: All our certifier fire doorsets are manufactured with a data pin which is embedded into the door. When using the door data systems app, you can scan near the pin and have instant access to all the unique fire door information. This pin is found on the hinge side of the door leaf.
- For BM TRADA Q-Mark products: Our doors which are certified though this certification will inlcude a either a door data systems label or data pin. The NFC technology will work the same whether it is a label or a pin. Both options will be found on the hinge side of the door leaf.
Compliance and Safety are non-negotiable
Identifying certified fire doorsets is a fundamental responsibility for anyone managing a building, from facility managers to landlords and building owners. A simple visual check, followed by online verification, can provide peace of mind that your building's fire protection measures are up to standard.
By ensuring your fire doors carry the proper Certifire or Q-Mark certification, you are not only meeting legal and regulatory requirements but also taking a proactive step toward protecting property and, most importantly, saving lives. Always rely on certified products and qualified installers to ensure your fire safety systems perform as intended when you need them most.