Download the Stair Secrets Flyer (PDF)
The BWF Stair Scheme is the only accreditation and certification scheme of its kind in the UK. Ranging from domestic, common and fire protected common stairs, the standard expected of the manufacturers for their stairs is extremely high to ensure quality and safety. Search for 'BWF Stair Scheme Manufacturer' from the 'Filter by Membership' drop down on th left-hand side fo this page to find a member now.
Accreditation
Every Scheme member has confirmed formally that their stairs comply with the relevant standards for manufacture or have been tested to meet the relevant test standards or that they have sufficient experience of stair manufacture to comply with the Building Regulations. Every member company has been independently audited to verify their declaration.
Fire Testing & Certification
In medium-rise buildings, the common flight stair may act as one of the routes of escape in the event of fire, so it is vital that it is able to resist the effects of the fire and maintain its integrity for the period required. This demands a higher level of accreditation. Members offering fire protected stairs have to demonstrate that their stairs comply with the requirements for fire protection under the test method set out in BD2569 Fire Performance of Escape Stairs – Guidance Document (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2009). Certification should be the minimum requirement demanded for every passive fire protection product. Third party certification tests and verifies a stair's design, performance, manufacturing process and quality assurance from manufacture to installation.
Auditing
All manufacturing members are audited annually either by the BWF, or in the case of manufacturers who are certificated manufacturers of fire protected stairs, by the Scheme’s certification partner. The audit confirms that the stairs continue to be manufactured according to the appropriate standards and that the factory production control system is in place and operating correctly.
Factory Production Control System
Companies will have to show that they have a suitable Factory Production Control (FPC) system in place to ensure that the products are manufactured consistently. FPC is an essential part of the accreditation, and will eventually become a necessity for anyone who is obliged to CE mark their products. This requirement would be fulfilled if a company has an ISO 9000 Quality Management System. ISO 9000 requires that procedures are put in place to ensure products are made in the correct way with all the correct materials every time. The ISO9000 system is also audited each year by a UKAS accredited auditor to ensure the procedures are being implemented. The BWF offers a Total Support Service to help companies obtain ISO9000 accreditation. To help those companies who may not have formally documented their systems and processes yet, the BWF has put together a simple guide to establishing an FPC system.
