What is FIRAS Certification?

FIRAS is a voluntary, third-party certification scheme for contractors who install passive fire protection systems. It is operated by Warringtonfire and accredited by UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to BS EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

What Does FIRAS Stand For?

FIRAS stands for Fire Installation Registration and Accreditation Scheme. It was established in 1994 and has been the leading certification body for companies installing passive fire protection systems for over 30 years.

What Does FIRAS Certification Cover?

FIRAS certification covers a wide range of passive fire protection installation disciplines including:

• Penetration sealing / fire stopping — sealing gaps where services pass through fire-rated construction
• Fire door installation — timber, steel, and composite fire-rated doorsets
• Cavity barriers — fire barriers within concealed voids
• Intumescent coatings — reactive fire-rated coatings on structural steelwork
• Board encasement — fire-rated board protection of structural steel
• Fire-rated glazing — fire-resistant glazed screen systems
• Fire-rated ducting — fire-resistant ductwork and dampers
• Fire door maintenance — ongoing maintenance of fire doorsets

How Does a Contractor Get FIRAS Certified?

FIRAS certification involves a rigorous three-stage assessment process. Only when all three stages are successfully completed is certification granted:

1. Office management systems audit — assessment of quality management procedures, documentation, and record-keeping
2. Onsite workmanship assessment — inspection of actual installation work for each certification scope applied for
3. Competence assessment — evaluation of all supervisory and installation employees' technical and practical skills

Why Does FIRAS Certification Matter?

Building owners, principal contractors, and insurers increasingly require FIRAS certification as evidence that passive fire protection work is carried out by competent contractors. Under the Building Safety Act 2022, demonstrating competence in fire safety work is a legal obligation.

FIRAS-certified contractors are subject to ongoing random site inspections and annual office audits, providing continuous assurance that standards are maintained — not just demonstrated once at the point of initial certification.

How to Verify a Contractor's FIRAS Certification

You can verify a contractor's FIRAS status through the official FIRAS register maintained by Warringtonfire, or by searching our contractor directory which is verified against the register. Every contractor listed on PFP Contractors has an active "Issued / Valid" FIRAS certification.