Understanding the Label

The Importance of a Fire Door Label

Third-party certification gives specifiers, local authorities, construction companies and building owners confidence that their fire doors /doorsets will perform as designed in the event of a fire. Certification also provides added benefits such as visibility and traceability of the door’s pathway through the construction supply chain.

When a fire door is manufactured or modified by a BWF Fire Door Alliance member, a label, or labels with unique numbers is placed on the top edge of the door. For Fire Doorsets, the labels may be placed in the frame. The purpose of the number(s) is to provide access to additional information including the fire door manufacturer and, where relevant, the Licensed Processor, as well as any certifications related to its specification and production records.

This allows the original fire door certificate and specification to be sourced, enabling on-site checks to be carried out against the door’s original standards. If this process highlights that any components need replacing, the documents will also outline the parts compatible with the original certification and test requirements to ensure compliance is maintained.

Different Types of Fire Door Labels

The BWF-CERTIFIRE label and new Fire Door Alliance Label provides traceability through the supply chain, ensuring the manufacturer can be contacted if further information on the fire door is required.

The Scheme has a variety of labels to suit the ratings and requirements of different door or doorset configurations. Labels should NEVER be removed from the door.

The label displays the member’s name and phone number, and, where applicable, the certification number, a unique serial number and the door’s fire rating.

Here are some example labels:

Warrington CERTIFIRE Examples

Below are some examples of what you would expect to see on a Warrington CERTIFIRE certificated door or doorset.

1. A door, without a glazed aperture, supplied via a merchant from a Prime Door Manufacturer

There will be 1 label on the top edge of the fire door indicating the doors rating. The CF number on the label is the door manufacturers’ certificate number for that particular door design and can be used to check that the door has been specified and installed correctly. By using the unique number on each label, the manufacturer will record where the door has initially been sold to.

2. A door, with a glazed aperture, supplied via a merchant from a Prime Door Manufacturer

There will be 2 labels on the top edge of the fire door. The first indicating the doors rating and a second label to indicate that the glazed aperture was machined and fitted by the Prime Door Manufacturer. The CF number on the first label is the door manufacturers’ certificate number for that particular door design and can be used to check that the door has been specified and installed correctly. By using the unique number on each label, the manufacturer will record where the door has initially been sold to.

3. A Prime Door Manufacturer’s door, modified, and with a glazed aperture, by a Licensed Door Processor

There will be 2 labels on the top edge of the door. The first indicating the doors rating. The CF number on the first label is the Prime Door Manufacturers’ certificate number for that particular door design and can be used to check that the door has been specified and installed correctly. By using the unique number on each label, the manufacturer will record where the door has initially been sold to. The second, glazed aperture, label will have the Licensed Door Processors name, (CAF) certificate number, contact details and unique number. By using this number on each label. The Licensed Door Processor will record to whom the door has been sold.

4. A Door Blank or Core converted to a finished fire door by a Licensed Door Processor

There will be 2 labels on the top edge of the door. The first showing the Door Blank or Core manufacturers name, brand, and rating. The CF number on the first label can be used to check that the door has been manufactured in accordance with the blank or core manufacturers test certificate and data sheet. The second label (either certified unglazed fire door blank or certified glazed fire door blank) will have the Licensed Door Processors name, (CAF) certificate number, contact details and unique number. By using this number on each label, The Licensed Door Processor will record to whom the door has been sold. Both of these labels will have been applied by the Licensed Door Processor.

Membership of the BWF Fire Door Alliance is currently only open to companies holding third-party certification under either the Warringtonfire CERTIFIRE, BM TRADA Q-Mark or IFC Certification schemes.

You can search for CERTIFIRE Fire Door certificates and other accredited products by visiting the Warringtonfire website
You can search for Q-Mark Fire Door certificates and other accredited products by visiting the BM TRADA website

Find A Member

BWF Fire Door Alliance members are committed to raising standards of fire doors and champion the third-party certification of fire doors and fire doorsets.

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Replacement Labels

Although the label should not be removed, accidents may happen.

There are strict rules for the issuing of replacement labels which MUST match the original information.

You MUST provide evidence that the original door has been supplied by the manufacturer or converter, such as the original CF and unique number (if known) and / or invoices from the supplier which enables the manufacture to verify the information. The manufacturer or converter may wish to have a representative visit the site to confirm the information is correct. Please note, there may be a charge for this service.