Trade Accreditations

Understanding Trade Accreditations for Facilities Management (FM) and Service Providers

At Robinsons Facilities Services Ltd, we require that all our subcontractors and service providers hold the necessary trade accreditations that demonstrate technical competency and adherence to industry best practices. Whether you’re a facilities management (FM) company, a lift service provider, or a specialist in fire safety systems, having the right trade accreditations is essential for delivering high-quality services and maintaining compliance with industry standards.

While SSIP accreditations (which Robinsons Facilities Services Ltd holds) focus on health and safety management, trade accreditations confirm your company’s expertise and competence in specific trades. They are critical in ensuring that all work meets legal and technical requirements, building trust with clients and safeguarding against risks.

When submitting your accreditation documents, please ensure that all certifications match the company or trading name you have provided during onboarding. This consistency helps us streamline the verification process and ensures that all your credentials are accurately attributed to your business.

What Trade Accreditations Does a Facilities Management Company Need?

For facilities management companies and service providers, holding the correct trade accreditations is crucial. These certifications verify that your company has the necessary skills and expertise to perform specialised work to an industry-approved standard. Depending on the services you provide, different certifications are required. For example, companies offering refrigeration services require REFCOM accreditation, while those providing fire suppression services need certifications from BAFE or FIA.

Below, you will find a detailed table listing services and their relevant trade accreditations. Review this table to ensure your business holds the necessary certifications for the services you provide.

Trade Accreditations

Service Category	Service	Sub Service	Relevant Accreditations
AC&V	Air Conditioning		REFCOM
AC&V	Air Handling Units (AHU's)		REFCOM
AC&V	Air Quality/Hygiene Services
AC&V	Automatic Opening Valves (AOV's)
AC&V	Chillers		REFCOM
AC&V	Ductwork Cleaning		BESA
AC&V	Freezer		REFCOM
AC&V	Fridge		REFCOM
AC&V	Fume Cupboards
AC&V	Heat Recovery Ventilation		REFCOM
AC&V	Kitchen Canopy/Extract Units		REFCOM
AC&V	LEV Testing
AC&V	Smoke Ventilation
AC&V	TM44 Inspections		REFCOM
AC&V	Ventilation Systems		REFCOM
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - Gas (Commercial)	GAS SAFE REGISTER
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - Gas (Domestic)	GAS SAFE REGISTER
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - LPG (Commercial)	GAS SAFE REGISTER
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - LPG (Domestic)	GAS SAFE REGISTER
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - Oil (Commercial)	OFTEC
BH&H	Boiler (Gas/Oil/LPG)	Boiler - Oil (Domestic)	OFTEC
BH&H	Boiler (Other)	Boiler - Biomass	HETAS
BH&H	Boiler (Other)	Boiler - Biogas (Commercial)
BH&H	Boiler (Other)	Boiler - Biogas (Domestic)
BH&H	Boiler (Other)	Boiler - Steam
BH&H	Boiler (Other)	Boiler - Other
BH&H	Burner
BH&H	CHP Units
BH&H	Commissioning
BH&H	Cylinder
BH&H	Flue Systems
BH&H	Heat Pump	Air Source Heat Pump	HETAS, NICEIC
BH&H	Heat Pump	Ground Source Heat Pump	HETAS, NICEIC
BH&H	Heating System
BH&H	Pipework
BH&H	Pump
BH&H	Radiant Tube Heater
BH&H	Underfloor Heating
BH&H	Warm Air Heater
BH&H	Water Heater
E,L&A	BMS
E,L&A	EICR Test		ECA, NAPIT, NICEIC
E,L&A	Electric Doors
E,L&A	Electrician		ECA, NAPIT, NICEIC
E,L&A	Emergency Lighting Test		ECA, NAPIT, NICEIC
E,L&A	EV Charging Points
E,L&A	Fixed Appliance Testing		ECA, NAPIT, NICEIC
E,L&A	Generators
E,L&A	Lifting & Hoisting Equipment
E,L&A	Lifts		LEIA
E,L&A	Lightning Protection
E,L&A	PAT Testing		ECA, NAPIT, NICEIC
E,L&A	Roller Shutter
E,L&A	Solar Panels		NAPIT, NICEIC
F,S&LSS	Access Control		NSI
F,S&LSS	CCTV		NSI
F,S&LSS	Dry/Wet Riser	Dry Riser
F,S&LSS	Dry/Wet Riser	Wet Riser
F,S&LSS	Fire & Smoke Dampers		FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Alarms		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Doors		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Extinguisher		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Hydrants		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Risk Assessment		BAFE, FIA, IFSM
F,S&LSS	Fire Shutter/Curtain		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Fire Sprinkler System		BAFE, FIA
F,S&LSS	Intruder Alarms		NSI, SSAIB
F,S&LSS	Keyholding		NSI
F,S&LSS	Life Safety Systems
F,S&LSS	Locksmith
F,S&LSS	Turnstiles
F,S&LSS	Weekly Fire Tests		FIA, NAPIT, NICEIC
OTHER	Asbestos Survey		ARCA
OTHER	Carpet Cleaning
OTHER	Catering Equipment		GAS SAFE REGISTER
OTHER	Commercial/Industrial Gates
OTHER	Drainage (External)
OTHER	EPC
OTHER	Gas Interlock Systems		GAS SAFE REGISTER
OTHER	Graffiti Removal
OTHER	Gritting
OTHER	Ground Maintenance
OTHER	Gutter Cleaning
OTHER	Handyman Services
OTHER	Laundry Equipment		GAS SAFE REGISTER
OTHER	Line Marking
OTHER	Parking Barriers
OTHER	Pest Control		BPCA
OTHER	Pressure Washing
OTHER	Roofing		FASET, NFRC
OTHER	Waste Collection
OTHER	Window Cleaning
P&CW	Fogging Cleaning
P&CW	Legionella		LCA
P&CW	Other Water Treatments
P&CW	Plumbing		CIPHE
P&CW	RPZ Valves
P&CW	Washroom Services
P&CW	Water Chlorination
P&CW	Water Monitoring & Testing
P&CW	Water Tank
VARIOUS	HVAC		BESA
VARIOUS	Full FM
VARIOUS	Other

Trade Accreditations Definitions

REFCOM – Register of Companies Competent to Handle Refrigerants
REFCOM is the UK’s leading certification body for companies working with refrigerants, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and best practices in refrigerant management.
BESA – Building Engineering Services Association
BESA is a UK-based trade organization that sets standards for building engineering services, focusing on the design, installation, and maintenance of HVAC systems.
GAS SAFE REGISTER – Official Gas Registration Body in the UK
GAS SAFE Register is the official gas registration body in the UK, required by law for engineers working with gas appliances, ensuring safety and competence in gas installations and maintenance.
OFTEC – Oil Firing Technical Association
OFTEC is a trade association representing the oil heating and cooking industry in the UK and Ireland, providing certification for competent technicians in oil heating equipment.
HETAS – Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme
HETAS is a UK certification body for solid fuel heating appliances, fuels, and services, including the registration of competent installers.
NICEIC – National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting
NICEIC is the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry, certifying electricians and ensuring compliance with electrical safety standards.
NAPIT – National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers
NAPIT is a membership scheme operator in the UK, certifying electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, and other tradespeople to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
ECA – Electrical Contractors’ Association
ECA is a trade association for electrical contractors in England, providing certification, support, and advocacy for the industry.
LEIA – Lift and Escalator Industry Association
LEIA is the trade association and advisory body for the lift and escalator industry in the UK, representing companies involved in the design, installation, and maintenance of lifting equipment.
NSI – National Security Inspectorate
NSI is a certification body in the UK for the security and fire safety sectors, accrediting companies for intruder alarms, fire protection, and other security systems.

BAFE – British Approvals for Fire Equipment
BAFE is an independent registration body for third-party certified fire protection companies across the UK, ensuring competence in fire safety systems and equipment.
IFSM – Institute of Fire Safety Managers
IFSM is a professional body for fire safety practitioners in the UK, offering accreditation and development for those conducting fire risk assessments and ensuring fire safety management.
SSAIB – Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board
SSAIB is a leading certification body for organisations providing security systems, including intruder alarms, CCTV, and access control, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
BPCA – British Pest Control Association
BPCA is the UK’s leading trade association for pest control, ensuring that its members adhere to the highest standards of practice in pest management and control.
NFRC – National Federation of Roofing Contractors
NFRC is the UK’s largest roofing trade association, ensuring high standards in roofing work, including installation, repair, and maintenance.
LCA – Legionella Control Association
LCA is an organisation in the UK that certifies companies involved in the control of legionella bacteria, ensuring compliance with water safety standards and best practices in legionella management.
CIPHE – Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
CIPHE is a professional body for the plumbing and heating industry in the UK, representing qualified plumbers and heating engineers, ensuring high standards of workmanship and professionalism.
FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training
FASET is the trade association and training body for the fall arrest and safety equipment industry, ensuring safe practices when working at heights.
NASC – National Access and Scaffolding Confederation
NASC is the UK’s trade body for the scaffolding industry, providing accreditation and setting safety and technical standards for scaffold construction and maintenance.
ARCA – Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
ARCA is the UKís leading association for asbestos removal contractors, providing training and accreditation to ensure the safe removal and management of asbestos.
FIA – Fire Industry Association
FIA is the UKís largest trade association for the fire protection industry, promoting best practices and providing training and accreditation in fire safety systems.

Why Trade Accreditations Matter

Customers and businesses looking for reliable facilities management companies often search for trade-accredited service providers. By holding the correct accreditations, your company demonstrates its commitment to best practices, technical competency, and adherence to industry standards. This is a hallmark of professionalism that can give your clients confidence in your services, whether they are looking for certified electricians, accredited pest control providers, or specialists in plumbing, building compliance, or water treatment.

Get in touch

If you are looking for an accredited facilities services provider or want to enquire about a specific service such as HVAC, fire and security or lifts please get in touch.

To find out more about supplying goods or services to us, please click this link to find out more.