Third party certification is one of the most-effective ways, of independently verifying the safety and quality of your passive fire protection products. Achieving certification involves independent regular audits to ensure that the management, manufacturing processes and supporting systems are in place to ensure consistency with the fire doorset that was initially tested.
Why is third-party certification important?
Third-party certification provides independent verification to support the stated performance of the fire doorset. Certification gives the purchasing party and end-users confidence in the performance of the product and its components.
How does third-party certification work?
Certification is awarded to a business, or product, that meets the requirements of the individual scheme. The requirements will be clearly set out and will be used to ensure compliance with standards and best practice.
There are many third-party schemes that will set their own specific requirements and certification timeline. UKTC have created their own third-party certification scheme with a clear, streamlined process to suit manufacturers of all sizes.
What makes UKTC ensure different to other third-party certification schemes?
UKTC ensure is the first third-party certification scheme designed around the principles of the golden thread as established by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee. Our streamlined approach helps you get ahead of the competition and respond quickly to market demands.
Following the Grenfell Inquiry, UKTC made the decision to create a third-party certification scheme that not only meets the recommendations of the report, but exceeds requirements to offer a robust, future-proof certification scheme. By committing to, and achieving, UKTC ensure certification, you showcase your dedication to a safer future.
What is the process for certification?
Evaluation
The first step in the certification process is to review the relevant fire test data and assessment evidence which will allow us to provide a clearly defined scope for certification of the product.
Factory Production Control Audit
A Factory Production Control (FPC) audit is performed at each site where the product is produced. This allows the certification team to ensure that the product is manufactured to the relevant standards and management systems.
Sampling & Testing
During the FPC audit, the product may be sampled for initial type testing for evidence towards the product certification.
Certification
The certificate is prepared based on the supporting data provided throughout the previous steps. Following the award, the certificate and supporting data would be uploaded to the UKTC ensure vault, an online database of key information relating to the product.
Ongoing Surveillance & Audit Testing
A surveillance audit and sample testing will be carried out annually to ensure that products and the systems involved continue to satisfy the declared performance.
Product Identification
Approved manufacturers will be benefit from a labelling system on their doorsets to prove compliance. These labels will feature a QR code that will send the user to a dedicated page of the ensure vault that hosts the manufacturers details and certification to create a single source of truth.
Is committing to a third-party certification necessary?
Third-party certification schemes are not a legal requirement, but they are recommended by the Government and in Building Regulations. By committing to a third-party certification scheme, a manufacturer shows its commitment to quality and safety which will provide confidence to customers and end users.
If you want to learn more about our third-party certification scheme, UKTC ensure, or discuss joining the scheme, click here to contact us.
Comments