Competence and Third-Party Certification for Buyers
Competence and Third-Party Certification for Buyers
Selecting competent professionals is one of the most important steps in meeting your fire safety obligations. Third-party certification helps you confirm that the companies or individuals you work with are qualified, audited, and capable of delivering compliant fire safety services.
This guide explains what third-party certification means, how to verify it, and how it supports your compliance with fire safety legislation.
What Is Third-Party Certification?
Third-party certification (TPC) is independent verification that a company or individual meets recognised standards for competence, quality, and performance.
In fire safety, it demonstrates that the service provider has been assessed by an accredited certification body and operates in accordance with relevant British Standards and best practice.
Certification schemes apply to both products and services. This means you can have confidence that equipment performs as intended and that installers, maintainers, or assessors are properly trained and audited.
Why Certification matters
Working with certified providers offers several key benefits:
- Assurance that work meets national standards
- Reduced risk of system failure or non-compliance
- Evidence of due diligence under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Greater consistency in quality and documentation
- Confidence that your investment in fire safety delivers lasting protection
Using uncertified providers can expose you to avoidable risk, potential prosecution, and unnecessary costs if work needs to be redone.
Recognised Certification schemes
In the UK, third-party certification for fire safety is delivered through accredited schemes such as:
- BAFE – British Approvals for Fire Equipment
- LPCB – Loss Prevention Certification Board
- IFC Certification – International Fire Consultants
- NSI – National Security Inspectorate
Each scheme has specific modules that relate to different services such as design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
When checking a provider, make sure their certification covers the work you are commissioning.
How to verify Certification
Before contracting any fire safety work, take a few minutes to confirm credentials:
- Ask to see a valid certificate of conformity or registration number
- Check the provider’s status on the scheme’s public register (e.g. BAFE or LPCB)
- Confirm the certificate is current and covers the service type you need
- Keep copies of verification records in your compliance file
The FIA strongly recommends using only companies and individuals who hold recognised third-party certification for their area of work.
Transparency and record keeping
Maintaining clear records of competence checks demonstrates due diligence. Keep a file that includes:
- Details of all certified providers you engage
- Copies or references of their certification
- Dates of verification and any expiry information
- Notes on any performance reviews or follow-up actions
This documentation will help you evidence compliance during audits or inspections.
When to seek further advice
If you are unsure whether a provider or product is properly certified, contact the FIA's technical team for guidance. Our team can direct you to appropriate registers or clarify what certification applies to your needs.