A new register which aims to help specifiers find certification schemes for fire safety products and services has been launched by the Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF).

The online register lists relevant certification bodies – organisations licensed to provide an independent assessment of products, services and installers – according to the category of passive fire protection or fire safety service covered.

“It’s essential that all fire safety or fire resistant products must be installed correctly and used according to their original specification,” said PFPF chairman, David Sugden. “If fire doors, for example, aren’t fitted correctly, are used with different hardware from that specified or are altered by, for example, shaving an edge or putting a cat-flap in (this does happen!) then it will not perform as it should. Fire evacuation plans based on a fire door giving 30 minutes resistance, say, will be useless.

“This register should be used as an invaluable tool for specifiers, contractors and building owners and operators – especially as the latter are responsible by law for a building’s fire safety.”