If you are responsible for a building, choosing a fire alarm installer can feel deceptively simple. A quote arrives, the specification looks sensible, and the company sounds confident. The system gets installed, signed off, and everyone moves on. Until a fire risk assessment raises questions.

One of the most common conversations we have at Fletcher Risk Management is not about whether a fire alarm exists, but who installed it, how it was designed, and whether it actually meets the needs of the building. Accreditation plays a critical role in all of this. This article explains what accreditation really means, what it does (and does not) guarantee, and how to use it sensibly.

What Do We Mean by “Accreditation”?

In the UK, fire alarm installers can choose to be independently assessed by recognised third-party schemes. These schemes are designed to confirm that a company:

Has competent staff.
Works to recognised standards such as BS 5839.
Has appropriate quality management systems.
Is regularly audited by an external body.

The most commonly encountered schemes include BAFE, Fire Industry Association, NSI, and SSAIB. Accreditation is voluntary, but it is widely recognised by enforcing authorities, insurers, and professional fire risk assessors. Indeed, Fletcher Risk Management have a long-standing membership to the Fire Industry Association:

What Accreditation Does Well

Accreditation is important because it gives baseline assurance. An accredited fire alarm company is more likely to:

Understand British Standards and current guidance.
Install systems consistently and methodically.
Commission and test correctly.
Maintain documentation properly.
Be accountable to an external auditing body.

In practical terms, this reduces the risk of poor workmanship, missing paperwork, or systems that cannot be properly maintained in future. For many duty holders, accreditation is also a useful filter when comparing quotes in a crowded market.

**What Accreditation Does Not Guarantee**

This is where misunderstandings often arise. Accreditation does not automatically mean the installed system is the right system for the building. A fire alarm company, accredited or not, typically installs to a specification. That specification may come from:

A fire risk consultant.
A fire risk assessment.
A tender document.
A client instruction.

If that specification is incorrect, incomplete, or based on assumptions, a competent installer may still deliver a compliant installation that is wrong in principle. This is why we regularly see situations where:

The wrong grade of system has been installed.
Detection coverage is excessive or insufficient.
The category does not reflect how the building is actually used.

These are uncomfortable discoveries, particularly when money has already been spent, but they are far more common than people realise.

The Difference Between Installation and Determination

A key distinction often missed is this:

Fire alarm installers install systems.
Fire risk assessors determine what system is required.

Only a competent fire risk assessment can properly establish:

Whether a system is required at all.
The appropriate grade and category.
The level of life or property protection needed.
How the building’s layout, occupants, and management affect risk.

When this step is skipped or rushed, even an accredited installer can end up delivering something that later needs modification. This is not about blame. It is about roles.

Why This Matters for Building Owners and Managers

If you are managing an HMO, block of flats, care setting, or commercial premises, accreditation should be seen as one part of a wider decision, not the whole answer. A well-run project usually involves:

A clear and current fire risk assessment.
An installer with appropriate accreditation.
Open communication between assessor, installer, and client.

Where this chain breaks down, cost, frustration, and professional embarrassment can follow.

How Fletcher Risk Helps When Things Are Not Straightforward

Many of our clients come to us after a system has already been installed and concerns have been raised. These are often sensitive conversations. At Fletcher Risk Management, our role is to:

Explain the issue calmly and clearly.
Remove judgement from the discussion.
Liaise directly with the fire alarm installer.
Identify proportionate solutions rather than starting again.
Help ensure any remedial work is technically justified and fairly priced.

In many cases, systems do not need full replacement. Adjustments, reclassification, or staged improvements can resolve the issue without unnecessary expense. Our focus is always on getting things right, not pointing fingers.

A Final Thought

Before you spend thousands of pounds on a new fire alarm system, or put an existing service and maintenance contract out to tender, it is worth pausing. A properly conducted and independent fire risk assessment ensures the grade, category, and scope of any fire alarm system are genuinely right for your building, not just well installed. Without that clarity, even accredited installers may be working to a specification that does not fully reflect your risks. A relatively small investment in a fire risk assessment now can prevent unnecessary upgrades, avoid costly rework, and remove a great deal of stress later. If you are unsure whether your current system is appropriate, or are planning changes, Fletcher Risk Management can help you get it right before significant money is committed - contact us now.

Getting the fundamentals right early often saves thousands of pounds and a lot of difficult conversations down the line.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or technical advice. Fire safety requirements vary depending on building type, use, and occupancy. You should always seek advice from a competent fire risk assessor and appropriately qualified professionals before making decisions relating to fire alarm systems or compliance.

How Important Is Accreditation for a Fire Alarm Installation Company?