Warringtonfire warns on UK emergency exit certification compliance
Iain Hoey
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Industry warning on emergency exit certification
Warringtonfire has advised UK construction professionals to ensure emergency exit and external panic units meet the correct third-party certification requirements.
The company said the alert follows information from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) passed to the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI).
It explained that many safety-critical doorsets may be non-compliant and therefore illegal if they do not hold the right level of certification.
The company noted that the warning applies to building owners, facilities managers, specifiers, architects, construction professionals and others involved in the purchase or installation of these products.
Certification requirements and responsibilities
According to Warringtonfire, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products meet the necessary certification standards and hold a Certificate of Constancy of Performance (CoCoP).
It added that this certificate is required before a product can be given a CE or UKCA conformity marking.
Without this, it said, the product cannot be legally sold and may create financial and reputational risks for buyers.
The company also noted that industry professionals have a duty to select only products that have been certified by an accredited laboratory.
DHF statement on compliance
Michael Skelding, General Manager & Secretary of the DHF, said: “Simply having third-party certification for individual elements and hardware of the panic or emergency exit doors is insufficient.”
“It is the responsibility of professionals in this industry to make certain that manufacturers have certified the entire doorset to meet compliance standards.”
“Without this, they risk repercussions from the OPSS such as building closures, along with severe reputational damage.”
“While the DHF and GAI have noted that many doorsets are non-compliant, we recognise that the majority are not deliberately breaking the law – it is more an issue of lack of awareness.”
“It is now essential that the word is spread so that industry professionals can ensure they select products from manufacturers who have obtained third-party certification.”
Warringtonfire on safety and legal duties
Mark West, Principal Product Assessor at Warringtonfire, said: “Ensuring the doorsets you purchase and install are fully certified is not only a legal obligation but also a commitment to safety and quality.”
“Demanding to see evidence of certification means that you will be providing safe, compliant doorsets to your projects, protecting building users and your professional reputation.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
This information is relevant to fire and safety professionals who specify, purchase or approve emergency exit and panic doorsets.
It outlines the need to verify that products have full third-party certification for the complete doorset, not just individual components.
It highlights the legal requirement for a Certificate of Constancy of Performance and CE or UKCA marking.
It reinforces that failure to comply could result in enforcement action by the OPSS, including building closures.
Warringtonfire warns on UK emergency exit certification compliance: Summary
Warringtonfire has warned UK construction professionals to verify that emergency exit and panic doorsets have full third-party certification.
The company said the alert follows information from the OPSS passed to the DHF and GAI.
It explained that non-compliant doorsets may be illegal and pose risks to buyers.
Manufacturers must hold a Certificate of Constancy of Performance before CE or UKCA marking is applied.
Industry professionals must ensure products are certified by an accredited laboratory.
DHF said full doorset certification is required to meet compliance standards.
The organisation said many non-compliant doorsets result from a lack of awareness.
Warringtonfire stated that certification is both a legal and safety requirement.