Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
ready for technical reviewCompetence and evidence
SKEB evidence matrix for fire door competence
What different types of evidence may show — and what they do not prove alone.
A certificate, course or company badge may be useful evidence, but it should not be treated as the whole competence picture. This matrix helps buyers and suppliers think about Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours together.
Skills
What the person can physically do — fitting, adjusting, inspecting or remedying fire doors for the task in scope.
Knowledge
What the person understands — fire door function, standards and guidance, product compatibility and limitations.
Experience
What relevant work the person has actually done — similar doors, buildings, scope and recent supervised projects.
Behaviours
How the person acts — recording work, raising limitations, refusing unsupported substitutions and leaving clear handover records.
Why SKEB matters
Fire door work is safety-critical — competence depends on task, product, building and context.
Competence for fire door installation, inspection, remediation or sign-off is not a single document, badge or certificate. A person may be strong in one area and weaker in another.
SKEB — Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours — helps buyers and suppliers avoid relying on one claim in isolation. Evidence should be considered alongside scope, supervision and records.
UK fire safety law and guidance expect relevant fire safety measures to be carried out by competent people. What counts as competent depends on the specific task, premises and evidence available at the time.
Key takeaway: Think across all four SKEB pillars — not just the easiest certificate to show.
The four parts of SKEB
Each pillar supports a different part of the competence picture.
Skills
What the person can physically do. Examples: fitting, adjusting or inspecting fire doors accurately; using correct tools; recording measurements; carrying out work in line with manufacturer instructions and relevant guidance.
Knowledge
What the person understands. Examples: fire door function; standards and guidance at a practical level; product compatibility; limitations of alterations; when to ask for further advice.
Experience
What relevant work the person has actually done. Examples: similar door types; similar buildings; similar scope; recent work; supervised or audited projects.
Behaviours
How the person acts. Examples: records concealed work; raises limitations; refuses unsupported substitutions; does not claim competence beyond evidence; leaves clear handover records.
Key takeaway: Training and qualifications may support Skills and Knowledge — but Experience and Behaviours still need separate evidence.
Evidence matrix
What each evidence type may show, what it does not prove alone, and what to ask next.
Use cautious language when reviewing evidence. Certification, training and records can help show part of the picture — they are not proof by themselves and not a guarantee.
Company third-party certification
May show: that a company has been assessed against a defined scheme scope. Does not prove alone: that every operative on every job is individually competent. Buyer question: What scope does the certification cover, and who will carry out and supervise this job? Supplier evidence: current certificate, scope statement, project supervision process, handover records.
Global assessment / field of application
May show: how primary test evidence may extend to related sizes, hardware or configurations within stated limits. Does not prove alone: that your exact site configuration is covered or correctly installed. Buyer question: Does the field of application cover this door size and hardware? See global assessments explained. Supplier evidence: assessment or field of application reference, scope summary, labels or plugs.
Individual qualification
May show: that an individual has completed a defined qualification or assessment route. Does not prove alone: competence for every door type, building or task outside the qualification scope. Buyer question: Which qualification, when awarded, and does it match this specific task? Supplier evidence: certificate, qualification specification reference, centre or awarding body details.
Supervisor-led sign-off
May show: that a named supervisor checked work within a defined process. Does not prove alone: that every concealed stage was inspected or that sign-off covers all doors on site. Buyer question: Who supervised this job, what did they check, and what records support sign-off? Supplier evidence: supervision log, sign-off record, scope of checks performed.
NVQ / onsite assessment
May show: occupational skills and experience assessed in a workplace context. Does not prove alone: fire-door-specific competence unless relevant units or tasks are evidenced. Buyer question: Which units or tasks were assessed, and for what door types? Supplier evidence: NVQ certificate, unit list, workplace assessment records.
Fire-door-specific training or qualification
May show: structured learning or assessment focused on fire door tasks. Does not prove alone: ongoing practical competence without currency, supervision and relevant experience. Buyer question: What was assessed — knowledge only or practical skill — and when? Supplier evidence: certificate, course outline, assessment method, refresher records if applicable.
Manufacturer training
May show: familiarity with a specific product system and its installation or maintenance requirements. Does not prove alone: competence across all manufacturers or door types. Buyer question: Which manufacturer system was trained on, and is that the system on this job? Supplier evidence: manufacturer training certificate, product references, authorised installer status if claimed.
Short online awareness course / CPD
May show: awareness, terminology or recent continuing professional development. Does not prove alone: hands-on installation, remediation or inspection competence by itself. Buyer question: What practical training, experience or supervision supports this course? Supplier evidence: course certificate plus practical evidence, relevant experience and supervision records.
Portfolio or project history
May show: relevant Experience with similar doors, buildings or scopes. Does not prove alone: that past work was competent, documented or applicable to your doors. Buyer question: Can you show comparable projects, door types and outcomes — with references if appropriate? Supplier evidence: project summaries, door schedules, redacted references, scope descriptions.
Photographic evidence
May help show: what was done and recorded at key stages. Does not prove alone: correctness unless images are clear, complete and linked to door, location and scope. Buyer question: What stages were photographed, and were hidden works recorded before concealment? Supplier evidence: dated photo records linked to door references, before/after images, stated limitations.
Inspection report
May show: what was inspected, findings and stated limitations at a point in time. Does not prove alone: that all defects were found or that remedial work was competent. Buyer question: What was in scope, what was excluded, and who carried out the inspection? Supplier evidence: written report with scope, limitations, findings and inspector details.
Handover pack
May show: what records, instructions and completion information were left after work. Does not prove alone: that the physical work matches the documentation or that all duties are satisfied. Buyer question: What documents are included, what is outstanding, and who signed off? Supplier evidence: completion record, product evidence, maintenance notes, limitations in writing.
Insurance
May show: that a business holds cover relevant to the work proposed. Does not prove alone: fire door competence, technical skill or compliance. Buyer question: What cover applies to this scope, and what exclusions apply? Supplier evidence: insurance certificate or broker confirmation — considered alongside SKEB evidence, not instead of it.
Method statement or quality plan
May show: how the supplier intends to manage scope, checks and records on site. Does not prove alone: that the method was followed or that outcomes are competent. Buyer question: Does this method match our doors, products and building context? Supplier evidence: written method statement, quality plan, revision history if updated on site.
Key takeaway: Match evidence to the specific task and door — and ask what each item does not cover.
Supplier checklist
What suppliers and contractors can do to present competence evidence honestly and scope-specifically.
- State the scope clearly — doors, locations, products and exclusions
- Provide current certificates or qualifications where relevant — with scope noted
- Identify who will do the work on site
- Identify who supervises and who signs off
- Record product and system evidence relied on
- Record photographs of key stages where appropriate — including before concealment
- Record limitations and exclusions in writing
- Provide handover evidence agreed before work starts
Key takeaway: Honest, scope-specific evidence helps buyers make clearer appointment decisions — it does not guarantee acceptance or compliance.
Buyer questions
Use these questions when reviewing SKEB evidence before appointing fire door work. Record answers — this is a decision-support aid, not proof of compliance.
- Who will actually do the work?
- What evidence supports their SKEB for this specific task?
- What is company-level evidence and what is individual evidence?
- Who supervises and signs off?
- What records will be left behind?
- What limitations or exclusions apply?
- What should be independently checked?
- Does certification or training scope match this door type and building?
- What practical experience supports any certificates shown?
- What product or system evidence will be relied on?
- What happens if unexpected defects are found?
- Have answers been recorded before appointment?
This question sheet is a record aid only. It does not prove compliance, remove legal duties or guarantee acceptance.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a badge answers every question
Company certification or a trade logo may support evidence — ask what scope it covers and who will attend site.
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Assuming a short course proves practical competence
Short online courses may evidence awareness or CPD — they should be considered alongside practical training, experience and supervision.
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Assuming years in trade equals fire-door-specific competence
General trade history does not automatically mean competence for a specific fire door task — check scope and evidence.
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Assuming paperwork proves the physical work is correct
Records help show what was planned and documented — they do not replace checks that work matches scope and product evidence.
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Assuming supervisor sign-off means every hidden stage was checked
Ask what was supervised, when and how — sign-off should be supported by records, not assumed from a signature alone.
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Appointing on price alone
Compare scope, SKEB evidence, supervision and handover records before comparing headline price.
Frequently asked questions
Does this matrix prove compliance?
No. This matrix helps buyers and suppliers think about evidence types and follow-up questions. It does not prove that work was or will be compliant.
Is certification useless?
No. Third-party certification may be useful supporting evidence when scope matches the work. It should be considered alongside SKEB evidence — not treated as the whole answer.
Can a short online course count as competence evidence?
It may support awareness or CPD. Buyers should not treat a short course certificate on its own as proof that someone can install, remediate, inspect or sign off fire doors competently.
Where can I record answers?
Use the Fire Door Competence Evidence Record or the buyer questions checklist on this page.
Source references
This page refers to the following sources. We do not reproduce copyrighted standards text. Always consult the original publication for authoritative requirements.
- Construction Leadership Council — Competence
UK
Used for SKEB terminology: skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.
Accessed: 10 June 2026
- Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours (SKEB)
UK
Used for built-environment and fire-door-adjacent competence language.
Accessed: 10 June 2026
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — Article 18 Safety Assistance
England and Wales
Used for the duty to appoint competent persons and the statutory wording around sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities.
Accessed: 10 June 2026
- Check your fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022
England
GOV.UK guidance explaining changes made to the Fire Safety Order through Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022.
Accessed: 10 June 2026
- BS 8214:2026 - Fire-resisting and smoke control doors - Practical considerations concerning specification, design and performance in use - Code of practice
UK
Current British Standard code of practice for fire-resisting and smoke control doors. Do not reproduce copyrighted standard text.
Accessed: 10 June 2026
- Fire Door Installation
UK
Industry guidance on competent installation and component compatibility.
Accessed: 10 June 2026