Questions to ask fire door suppliers before appointment

Before you ask for a quote

Clearer enquiries usually lead to clearer quotes — but always compare scope and evidence before appointment.

Before contacting suppliers, gather basic information about the doors, building context and any existing reports. This helps you compare quotes fairly and ask better follow-up questions.

If you are a responsible person or managing agent, check whether a fire risk assessment, inspection report or defect schedule already identifies the doors in scope.

• Which doors are in scope (locations, flat numbers, communal routes)?
• What work is needed (installation, inspection, remediation, replacement)?
• Are there existing inspection reports, photos or defect lists?
• Is a fire-resistance rating or smoke-control requirement already specified?
• Who will provide access and resident liaison if needed?
• What is your target programme or deadline?
• Who will keep records after the work completes?

Key takeaway: Preparation helps you compare like with like — but good questions still need written scope and evidence before appointment.

Competence and SKEB questions

Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB) help you ask whether someone is competent for the specific fire door task.

Legal and guidance frameworks in the UK expect fire safety work to be carried out by competent people. SKEB gives buyers a practical way to explore that competence before appointment.

Ask questions that match the actual work — installing a flat entrance door, inspecting communal doors, or replacing closers are different tasks.

• Who will actually carry out the work on site?
• What Skills are relevant to this type of fire door work?
• What Knowledge do they have of the products, standards and building context?
• What Experience do they have with similar doors, frames and hardware?
• What Behaviours do they follow (documentation, raising limitations, not overpromising)?
• Has this person worked on this door type or building context before?
• Will a named individual be on site, or only a company name on the quote?

Key takeaway: SKEB questions should match the task. A generic trade label is not enough on its own.

Third-party certification questions

Certification can be useful supporting evidence — but ask how it relates to the specific work.

Third-party certification, scheme membership or product certification may support part of the evidence picture. They do not automatically answer every buyer question about scope, supervision, compatible components or handover records.

Ask how any certificate, label or scheme relates to the person doing the work, the products being installed and the documentation you will receive.

• What certification or scheme membership are you relying on?
• Does it cover the specific task (installation, inspection, remediation)?
• Does it cover the products and door types in scope?
• Who holds the certification — the company, the individual on site, or both?
• Is the certification current and relevant to this building context?
• What does the certification not cover?
• What additional evidence will you provide beyond the certificate?

Key takeaway: Certification may help — ask how it connects to the actual work, people and records involved.

Supervision and sign-off questions

Fire door work is often only as reliable as the supervision and checking behind it.

Ask who supervises work on site, how work is checked before handover, and who is accountable if something is missed.

For inspection work, ask who carries out the inspection, whether it is independent, and what limitations apply to the report.

• Who supervises the work on site?
• How is work checked before handover?
• Who signs off completion?
• What happens if a defect is found during the work?
• Will the same person who quoted attend the site?
• How are subcontractors or labour-only operatives supervised?
• What quality checks are completed before the job is closed?

Key takeaway: Supervision and sign-off should be explained clearly — vague assurances are a warning sign.

Product and specification questions

Fire doors are installed systems — components and evidence must be compatible.

Ask what products, ratings and evidence support the proposed work. Fire door performance depends on the door leaf, frame, seals, closers, hardware and installation method working together.

Do not accept vague phrases such as "make compliant" without written explanation of basis, products and limitations.

Ask whether product evidence includes primary test references, global assessments or field of application reports — and whether scope covers your doorset or door assembly. See Read the guide to primary test evidence and global assessments.

• What product or system evidence supports the proposed work?
• What fire-resistance rating or performance is assumed?
• Are seals, closers, hinges and hardware included and compatible?
• Will manufacturer instructions be followed?
• What happens if the existing frame or surrounding construction is unsuitable?
• Are alterations to glazing, letterplates or access control included in scope?
• What is excluded from the specification?

Key takeaway: Specification questions help you compare quotes fairly — price alone does not show whether the right system is proposed.

Handover and evidence questions

Ask what records you will receive and what you should keep afterwards.

After work completes, buyers and duty-holders may need records to show what was done, what evidence was relied on and what remains outstanding.

Ask about photographs, reports, product information, completion statements and any limitations in writing.

• What records will I receive after the work?
• What product or system information will be provided?
• What will be photographed or documented?
• What happens if unexpected defects are found during the work?
• What limitations or exclusions apply to the quote or report?
• What should I keep after the work completes?
• Who do I contact if a problem appears later?

Key takeaway: Handover questions help you plan record-keeping — they do not guarantee compliance.

Red flags

Some answers or behaviours should prompt caution before appointment.

No single red flag automatically proves a supplier is unsuitable. However, patterns of vague answers, pressure to decide quickly, or refusal to document scope may suggest you need more evidence or competent advice.

Key takeaway: Red flags are prompts to ask more questions or seek competent advice — not automatic disqualifiers on their own.