Levelling the Playing Field: Why Uncertified Fire Door Manufacturers Undermine Us All
When it comes to fire safety, not all fire doors are created equal — but they should be. The unfortunate reality is that while many responsible manufacturers invest heavily in testing, certification, and ongoing compliance, there are still others who cut corners and bring uncertified doors to market.
This isn’t just a question of unfair competition. It’s a matter of life safety. Uncertified fire doors weaken the industry as a whole, mislead buyers, and most dangerously, put building occupants at risk.
The Cost of Cutting Corners
At first glance, uncertified fire doors often look no different from accredited ones. They may be cheaper, they may even be marketed as “tested,” but without recognised third-party certification, there is no guarantee that they will perform in a fire.
For manufacturers who do things properly, this creates an uneven playing field. While responsible companies invest in full-scale testing, auditing, and ongoing compliance checks, others bypass the process, undercut prices, and compete unfairly. The result? A “race to the bottom” that threatens to erode trust in the industry.
But the consequences go far beyond business. Every uncertified fire door that is installed represents a weak link in a building’s fire protection strategy — and when lives depend on performance, that risk is unacceptable.
Why Third-Party Certification Matters
Third-party certification is more than a badge. It is an independent guarantee that a fire door has been tested, manufactured, and maintained under strict, ongoing quality controls.
Certified manufacturers are subject to continuous auditing — meaning the product you buy today is manufactured to the same standards as the product that was tested months or years ago. That assurance simply cannot be claimed by uncertified manufacturers who may rely on one-off or outdated test evidence.
For specifiers, contractors, and building owners, certification provides peace of mind: the product installed will do its job when it matters most.
The Problem with the Current Market
So why are uncertified fire doors still being sold?
Regulatory gaps: Current legislation does not make certification mandatory.
Price-driven procurement: Too often, decisions are made on cost alone.
Lack of awareness: Many buyers don’t understand the difference between “tested” and “certified.”
This combination allows non-compliant products to circulate freely, leaving responsible manufacturers to compete against businesses that ignore the very standards designed to protect lives.
Levelling the Playing Field
If the fire door industry is to move forward, change is needed. That means:
Making third-party certification mandatory for all fire door manufacturers.
Creating a central register of certified products and manufacturers for transparency.
Embracing traceability tools such as digital compliance records to ensure every door can be tracked from manufacture to installation.
These steps would not only protect the end user, they would also reward the businesses who are committed to doing things properly — raising the bar for the entire industry.
A Call to Specifiers, Contractors, and Clients
Change will not happen overnight, but every buying decision counts. Specifiers, contractors, and building owners hold the power to shape the market by demanding certified fire doors as a baseline requirement.
Choosing uncertified doors may save money in the short term, but it comes with significant liability. If a fire door fails, the responsibility falls on those who specified, supplied, or installed it. The financial, legal, and reputational consequences can be devastating.
Conclusion – Raising Standards Together
Uncertified fire door manufacturers do more than cut corners — they undermine the entire industry, compromise safety, and erode trust. Responsible manufacturers have already proven their commitment through investment in testing, certification, and ongoing compliance. It’s time the rest of the industry caught up.
At Kent Flush Doors, we believe safety is not a competitive advantage — it is the minimum standard every manufacturer should be working to. By demanding certified products, together we can level the playing field, protect lives, and ensure the integrity of the industry we all depend on.