“Can Anyone Sign Fire Doors Off Please?” – Why It’s Not That Simple

Following a recent post on social media asking:

“Is there anyone on here or can you recommend someone that can sign fire doors off please?”

It prompted an important conversation — and one that highlights a common misunderstanding within the industry.

At RWB Fire Door Solutions, we see this question regularly. While it may sound straightforward, the reality is that fire doors cannot simply be “signed off” without proper inspection, evidence, and compliance checks.

Fire Doors Are a Legal Responsibility

Fire doors are life safety devices, not cosmetic joinery items. They form part of a building’s passive fire protection strategy and are legally required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

In higher-risk and multi-occupied residential buildings, responsibilities have been further strengthened under the Building Safety Act 2022.

These laws place duties on the Responsible Person and Accountable Persons to ensure that fire safety equipment — including fire doors — is:

• Correctly specified
• Properly installed
• Maintained in efficient working order
• Supported by suitable records

This is about protecting lives — and liability

Why You Can’t Just “Sign Off” Someone Else’s Work

When a company operates under a recognised third-party certification scheme (such as BM TRADA or similar), there are strict rules regarding scope and responsibility.

If we did not:

• Supply the door set
• Install it
• Control the ironmongery specification
• Maintain documented installation records

We cannot simply apply our certification to it.

Third-party schemes require traceability and accountability. Signing off someone else’s installation without full evidence would:

• Breach scheme rules
• Compromise professional integrity
• Potentially invalidate certification
• Expose both parties to significant legal risk

Certification is not transferable — and it cannot be retrospectively created without robust evidence.

The Importance of Product Evidence & Records

For a fire door to be compliant, there must be documented evidence that:

• The door leaf is certificated
• The frame is compatible and compliant
• Intumescent and smoke seals are correct
• Ironmongery is tested and approved for that door type
• Installation follows manufacturer instructions
• Gaps and tolerances are within allowable limits

Without installation records, product data sheets, certification labels and traceable components, it becomes extremely difficult — and often impossible — to confirm compliance retrospectively.

This is why maintaining accurate records at the point of installation is critical.

Inspection vs Certification

There is an important distinction between:

• Surveying a fire door
• Certifying or signing off a fire door set

A competent fire door inspector can assess condition, identify defects and recommend remedial works.

However, certification under a third-party scheme generally requires full control of the installation process — from specification through to completion — or a robust evidential trail to demonstrate compliance.

Anything less would be irresponsible.

The Better Question to Ask

Instead of:

“Can someone sign these doors off?”

The more appropriate question is:

“Are these doors compliant — and do we have the evidence to prove it?”

A professional fire door survey will provide:

• An asset register
• Photographic evidence
• Clear compliance assessment
• Recommended remedial works
• A pathway to achieving compliance

That approach protects building owners, managing agents and Responsible Persons properly.

Compliance Is About Protection — Not Paperwork

Fire doors exist to protect escape routes, contain fire and ultimately save lives. They must perform exactly as tested.

Certification and sign-off is not a rubber stamp — it is a declaration of compliance backed by evidence, competence and accountability.

At RWB Fire Door Solutions, we take that responsibility seriously.

If you are unsure about your fire doors, need a compliant inspection, or require properly certificated installation and maintenance works — we’re here to help.

Because when it comes to fire safety, shortcuts simply aren’t an option.