Do You Need Insurance to Issue Fire Safety Certificates in the UK?

What Is a Fire Safety Certificate in This Context?

In the fire protection industry, certificates may include:

• Fire alarm commissioning certificates

• Fire detection and warning system certificates (BS 5839)

• Fire suppression system installation reports

• Emergency lighting test certificates

• O&M manuals and system sign-off documentation

• Routine inspection and maintenance reports

These certificates confirm that the system has been designed, installed, and tested to meet current British Standards — and issuing them comes with professional responsibility.

Why Insurance Matters If You’re Certifying Fire Systems

When you issue a certificate, you’re stating that:

• The system meets compliance

• The work is safe and functional

• The installation follows relevant standards (e.g. BS 5839, BS 5266, BS 9251)

If a system fails — or is later found to be non-compliant — you could be held liable for negligence, delays, or financial loss.

Even if the fault lies with a subcontractor or a product, if your name is on the certificate, you’re part of the liability chain.

What Insurance Do You Need to Issue Fire Protection Certificates?

1. Professional Indemnity Insurance 

This is essential. It protects you if your certificate, inspection report, or design input leads to:

• Financial loss for the client

• Project delays

• Regulatory penalties

• Legal disputes

Example: You sign off a mist system installation that is later found to be underspecified. The contractor blames your sign-off, and the client seeks compensation.

Typical cover amounts: £250,000 – £1 million, depending on the project size.

2. Public Liability Insurance 

Covers injury or property damage during your on-site inspection, test, or final commissioning.

Example: While testing a system, your ladder topples and cracks a glass partition. Public liability insurance covers the damage and legal costs.

Many sites will not allow you access without valid public liability insurance.

3. Employers’ Liability Insurance 

Legally required if you have any employees — even part-time or labour-only subcontractors.

Covers claims if someone working for you is injured or becomes ill as a result of the work.

4. Tools and Equipment Insurance

If you use testers, drills, or laptops during inspections or commissioning, you may want to protect your equipment from theft or damage — especially if you work from a van.

Is Insurance a Legal Requirement to Certify Fire Systems?

There is no specific law that says you must have insurance to issue certificates.

However:

• Most clients and main contractors will require proof of insurance before you’re allowed to sign off work

• Being insured protects you from expensive legal claims if anything goes wrong

• Registration bodies and professional schemes (like BAFE, NICEIC, NAPIT) often expect members to have adequate cover

What Happens If You Don’t Have Insurance and Something Goes Wrong? 

You could face:

• Legal action for negligence or breach of contract

• Paying compensation and legal fees out of pocket

• Reputational damage with clients and contractors

• Being removed from future approved supplier lists

Even if a claim is unfounded, defending yourself in court can cost thousands.

Who Typically Needs This Type of Insurance?

• Fire alarm installers

• Sprinkler and suppression system engineers

• Commissioning specialists

• Subcontractors signing off work under D&B contracts

• Engineers issuing inspection or maintenance certificates

If you issue documents that carry responsibility — you need cover.

Need a quote or want to review your current policy?
Call us on 01474 833 322 or get a fast online quote at: www.abainsurance.co.uk/trades-insurance-quote/