When it comes to fire alarm and smoke ventilation systems in your building, competence isn’t a luxury – it’s a legal and moral necessity. The UK’s fire safety law (the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005) requires that all fire protection equipment is “maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”
In practice, this means you need a competent maintainer, who will keep your fire alarms, smoke ventilation system, and other life safety systems working flawlessly at all times. But how do you know if a contractor is truly competent to do so? One of the best indicators is third-party certification – independent accreditation that a company meets stringent industry standards. Below, we explain why third-party certifications matter and break down the key qualifications and standards to look for when choosing a maintenance contractor. By understanding these benchmarks, you can make an informed choice and ensure your building’s fire safety systems are in capable hands (and remain compliant with the law).
The Importance of Third-Party Certification
Third-party accreditation means an independent, recognised body has audited a company’s skills and quality procedures – essentially giving a “stamp of approval” that the firm is competent to do the job. In the fire safety realm, this external certification is crucial. Why? Because lives could depend on the reliability of systems like fire alarms and smoke ventilation. Using a certified maintenance provider gives you external assurance of quality and competence, not just the contractor’s word for it.
Leading industry standards and associations explicitly recommend using certified firms for maintaining life safety systems. For example, British Standard BS 7346-8 (the code of practice for smoke control systems) and the Smoke Control Association (SCA) both advise choosing third-party certified specialists for smoke control maintenance. In fact, BS 7346-8 “recommends third party certification as a measure of competence” for those servicing smoke ventilation systems.
The logic is simple: an independent certification scheme holds companies to strict technical and quality standards, so if your provider has been through that vetting, you can have confidence in their capabilities. Industry guidance reinforces this, noting that a competent smoke control contractor should be independently certified – and even making it mandatory for certain memberships. (Notably, all member companies of the Smoke Control Association that install smoke control systems are now required to achieve the SDI-19 accreditation as a condition of membership.)
In short, third-party certification separates the true specialists from the “have-a-go” generalists. It’s a badge of credibility that should be a starting point in your evaluation of any maintenance provider.
Key Certifications for Smoke Ventilation Maintenance
When evaluating contractors for smoke ventilation system maintenance, look for credentials that specifically prove expertise in this niche field. The gold standard in the UK is IFC SDI-19* certification. SDI-19 (run by IFC Certification in conjunction with the Smoke Control Association) is the leading third-party scheme for companies that install smoke control systems. Earning this certification means a company has demonstrated competence in the installation of smoke ventilation systems. Whilst the certification is not for the maintenance of smoke ventilation systems specifically (only covers the installation), it will, however, cover any remedial works that are required as part of maintenance. This could include the fitting of new components such as vents or fire alarms. In other words, an *SDI-19 certified firm has proven it can install compliant smoke venting systems and understands the mechanical and electrical complexity of smoke control: the fans, actuators, vents, sensors, controls, and backup systems that must work in harmony during a fire. This is important because maintaining smoke vents is not the same as maintaining fire alarms – it requires specialist knowledge of things like airflow dynamics and mechanical components that your average fire alarm engineer might not possess. The SCA states,
“maintenance of smoke ventilation systems should be undertaken by competent organisations that are both members of the SCA, and accredited to IFC Certification Ltd’s third-party installers scheme SDI 19.”
Indeed, industry experts warn that there are “vast differences in the skill sets” between fire alarm technicians and smoke vent engineers. A typical fire alarm contractor may not know how to verify a smoke extract fan’s performance or service a vent actuator, for example. That’s why having SDI-19 accreditation (or a similar BRE/LPCB smoke control certification) is such a strong indicator of a capable smoke ventilation expert – it tells you they’ve been vetted for the specific skills needed. As the FDS Maintenance team explains, if a company holds SDI-19, it’s a sign they “truly understand smoke vents,” whereas a company without such certification may lack the needed expertise in that area.
If the firm you’re considering has IFC SDI-19 certification, you can trust that they’ve been independently audited on smoke control competency – a big plus for such a life safety-critical system. By contrast, entrusting your smoke vents to a contractor with no specialist accreditation is a gamble you shouldn’t have to take.
Key Certifications for Fire Alarm Maintenance
Fire detection and alarm systems have their own third-party schemes to denote competence. Two well-known certifications to look for are LPCB’s LPS 1014 and the BAFE SP203-1 scheme:
| LPS 1014 Certification: | LPS 1014, run by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), is a rigorous certification for firms involved in fire detection and alarm system work. A company certified to LPS 1014 has proven its competence across the entire life-cycle of fire alarm systems – including system design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. In fact, a core requirement of LPS 1014 is that the firm maintains full quality control of the process under an ISO 9001 management system. This ensures that from the moment an alarm system is designed and installed, through every service visit years down the line, there is a consistent, audited quality process in place. Engaging an LPS 1014-approved contractor gives you confidence they meet the highest industry benchmarks for fire alarm servicing and regulatory compliance. |
| BAFE SP203-1 Registration: | BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) offers the SP203-1 scheme which similarly accredits fire alarm service providers. It’s another path to demonstrate competence in fire alarm design, installation, commissioning and maintenance (firms are often assessed in specific modules of work). Many reputable alarm companies will hold either LPS 1014 or BAFE SP203-1 (or sometimes both) – the key point is that some form of third-party audited certification is in place. If a provider can show you a current LPCB or BAFE certificate for fire alarms, it indicates they have been externally verified to follow British Standard BS 5839 practices, use trained technicians, and maintain a quality system. In short, they’re accountable to an industry body for doing the job right. |
In evaluating contractors, don’t hesitate to ask for proof of these fire alarm certifications. A competent company will be proud to show they are approved to LPS 1014 or certified under BAFE – it’s a credential that signals, “we know what we’re doing, and a respected authority says so too.”
What to Look for in a Maintenance Contract
So how do you put this knowledge into practice when comparing maintenance providers? Here’s a simple checklist of questions and qualities to consider:
✔️ Relevant Certifications: First and foremost, do they hold the third-party certifications discussed above? Ask if the company is accredited for both fire alarm and smoke control maintenance. For example, are they LPS 1014 or BAFE SP203-1 certified for fire alarms, and do they have IFC SDI-19 (or an equivalent) for smoke ventilation systems? Verified credentials are a clear evidence of competence – an uncertified firm might claim they “can do the job,” but an independently certified one has proven it to the experts.
✔️ Adherence to Standards: Do they follow the relevant British Standards in their service routines, and will they spell that out to you? A quality maintenance provider will gladly explain their servicing schedule in line with codes of practice. For instance, fire alarm maintenance should follow BS 5839-1, which calls for weekly user tests (e.g. activating a call point) and periodic professional inspections (typically quarterly or at least twice a year) by a competent engineer. Smoke ventilation system maintenance should follow BS 7346-8 (and guidance like BS 9999), which include daily/weekly visual checks by on-site staff, more thorough quarterly checks, and a full specialist servicing annually. A good contractor will provide a maintenance plan referencing these standards – for example, offering to train your staff on simple weekly checks, plus scheduling quarterly and annual expert visits as recommended. If a bidder can’t describe how they service systems in accordance with BS codes, that’s a red flag. In contrast, a top provider will build their contract around compliance with standards, ensuring your system inspection frequency and tasks meet or exceed the minimum guidelines.
✔️ Comprehensive Capabilities: Can the company service all of your fire safety systems, both fire alarms and smoke control, under one contract? There are advantages to having a single expert team handle everything – provided they are truly competent in each domain (as evidenced by the proper certifications and specialist staff). Using one qualified provider for both alarms and smoke vents can simplify your life and improve safety, by ensuring integrated checks and accountability across the board. It avoids the hassle of coordinating multiple firms and prevents gaps where “that’s not our job” could otherwise occur. FDS Maintenance, for example, is structured to maintain both fire alarm and smoke vent systems, a dual-discipline approach that “negates the need to use separate suppliers”. They have dedicated experts for each system type under one roof, so a building owner gets the convenience of one contract without sacrificing expertise in either area. If a provider offers this one-stop service, confirm that they indeed have specialists for each system (many reputable companies do, as multi-discipline teams). When done right, a combined maintenance contract can ensure truly holistic fire safety coverage – the firm will test the interfaces between alarms and vents together and take full responsibility for the performance of the entire fire response system.
✔️ Thorough Documentation & Logbooks: What documentation does the provider supply after each service visit? Proper record-keeping is not just bureaucracy – it’s your legal proof of compliance and a tool for safety management. The best maintenance contractors will deliver clear, detailed service reports or certificates after every visit. This should itemize what was checked, any faults found, and remedial actions taken. When comparing providers, ask to see a sample of their maintenance report or logbook entry. A professional outfit will have no qualms providing this, and you’ll likely see that it references standards (as mentioned above) and includes specifics (e.g. “checked backup batteries – OK” or “vent actuator on Roof Level replaced – certificate attached”). Steer clear of any contractor who offers only vague checklists or, worse, doesn’t provide written reports at all. Remember, if it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen in the eyes of regulators.
✔️ Emergency Support and Responsiveness: Does the maintenance contract include 24/7 emergency call-out service for unexpected faults or alarms? Fires and system failures don’t always wait for business hours. You want a maintenance partner who will be there promptly if, say, the fire alarm panel starts faulting at 2 AM or a smoke vent malfunctions. Many top providers include an emergency response guarantee in their contracts. This kind of support is invaluable – it minimizes downtime of your safety systems and demonstrates the provider’s commitment to keeping you safe between scheduled visits. When evaluating proposals, check what the response time and availability is for emergency call-outs, and whether any additional fees apply. It’s better to have a contractor who already has an on-call protocol in place (and ideally local engineers on standby) rather than scrambling to find help in the middle of an incident.
By running through this checklist – certifications, standards compliance, comprehensive service, documentation, and emergency support – you’ll get a clear picture of which maintenance providers take their responsibilities seriously. The ones that score well on these points are far more likely to keep your fire protection systems in top form and keep you on the right side of safety regulations.
Risks of Using Unqualified Maintainers
To underscore the importance of choosing a qualified, certified contractor, it’s worth looking at what can go wrong if you don’t. Entrusting your fire alarm or smoke vent system to an unqualified maintainer isn’t just a minor oversight – it can be outright dangerous. Here are some potential risks if your contractor lacks the necessary competence and oversight:
- Incomplete testing: An inexperienced or non-specialist technician might perform only the most basic checks – for example, seeing that the smoke vents open when the fire alarm triggers – and assume the system “works.” But they may fail to test critical details like whether a smoke extract fan actually achieves the required airflow, whether backup batteries can carry the load, or whether vents open to the full angle as designed. Important performance parameters can go unverified. The system could be signed off as “all ok” even if, in reality, a fan belt is loose or a vent is stuck halfway. This kind of superficial maintenance leaves dangerous blind spots.
- Misaligned cause-and-effect logic: Smoke control systems often have complex cause/effect programming (which alarms or detectors trigger which vents/fans in which zones, etc.). A generic contractor might not understand or test these interdependencies thoroughly. They could inadvertently reset panels or alter settings without realizing the consequences, potentially leaving the system in a compromised state (e.g. a particular alarm no longer opens the correct vents). Without deep knowledge of the system’s design intent, it’s easy to introduce faults that aren’t immediately obvious – until an emergency happens and a vent doesn’t activate because someone unchecked a box in the programming.
- Missed mechanical maintenance: A fire alarm company that “also takes a look” at your smoke vents as an afterthought may not even know what to inspect beyond the obvious. There are important mechanical tasks – lubricating moving parts, cleaning smoke shafts, checking damper seals, testing fan belts, verifying electric actuators and hinges – that a non-specialist may overlook entirely. Over time, lack of proper upkeep in these areas can lead to components seizing up or failing. There have been real cases of dampers in a building stuck closed for years because no one with the right expertise ever checked them – the alarm contractor didn’t even realize those dampers existed on an upper floor. In a fire, those neglected parts can render the whole smoke control strategy ineffective.
- False sense of security: Perhaps the most insidious risk is thinking you’re covered when you’re not. An unqualified maintainer might still give you a service report or tick a box in your logbook, and you as the responsible person believe the system is fine. In truth, critical issues might be lurking undetected. This illusion of compliance is extremely dangerous – you’ve been paying for maintenance and believe you’ve met your legal duties, but in a crisis the system could fail due to something that was missed. Additionally, if audited by authorities or insurers, those skimpy maintenance records could be exposed as inadequate, landing you in trouble. In short, using the wrong contractor can leave you with “paper compliance” while undermining actual safety.
It’s clear that competence matters greatly in this field, and UK regulators agree. Official government guidance pointedly states that a “smoke control system should be maintained by a competent person who is familiar with the fire engineering performance specifications of that specific system.” In other words, the person servicing your system must truly understand the design intent and technical details of that exact system – not just fire systems in general. A jack-of-all-trades who lacks that specific knowledge simply cannot provide the level of assurance needed. As the Smoke Control Association warns, using personnel who aren’t qualified in smoke control can lead to “improper maintenance, undermining the system’s reliability when it’s needed most.” No building owner or manager wants to find out too late that their life safety system was essentially left in the wrong hands.
Bottom line: the risks of hiring an unqualified contractor range from hidden system failures to legal non-compliance – it’s just not worth it. By contrast, choosing a certified specialist greatly reduces these risks, ensuring your fire safety systems are maintained correctly, thoroughly, and in line with their engineered design.
Choosing with Confidence
Selecting a maintenance provider for your fire alarms and smoke ventilation systems is a decision that carries a lot of weight – but armed with the right knowledge, you can make it with confidence. Focus on proven competence: third-party certifications, experience with the specific systems you have, and a commitment to following standards and best practices. A truly qualified contractor will not only keep your systems running efficiently day-to-day, but also ensure you remain compliant with all fire safety regulations, and be ready to support you in an emergency. This proactive, professional approach is what protects lives, property, and your peace of mind.
At FDS Maintenance, we understand the importance of everything discussed above. We maintain rigorous quality controls (ISO 9001) over the entire process of design, installation, and servicing, and we document each visit with thorough reports and certificates.
By choosing a certified, standards-compliant maintenance provider, you’re not just buying a service – you’re investing in safety and certainty. Whether you manage a residential block or a commercial facility, don’t settle for anything less than a contractor who meets the high bar set by third-party accreditations and industry codes. It’s the surest way to fulfil your legal obligations and, most importantly, to ensure that in the critical moment your fire alarm or smoke control system will perform exactly as intended.
If you’re a facility manager or developer looking for that level of assurance, we invite you to reach out to the FDS Maintenance team. We’re happy to talk through our qualifications, maintenance plans, and how we can help keep your fire safety systems fully compliant and optimally reliable. Contact FDS Maintenance today to learn more about how working with a truly competent, certified maintenance provider can benefit your building and everyone in it. Stay safe!
