Why Specifiers Choose Fully Tested, Pre-Assembled Systems – And Why It Matters

With new building safety legislation in place, the role of the specifier is under more scrutiny than ever. Product selection isn’t just about performance anymore, it’s about traceability, accountability, and risk reduction across the board.

That’s why more specifiers are choosing fully tested, pre-assembled products, not to simplify what happens on site, but to de-risk what happens before anything reaches site.

What Specifiers Are Really ‘Buying’ 

In the past, product selection was often about price and availability. Now, it’s about confidence. The Building Safety Act (BSA) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have made that clear. If you’re responsible for specifying a life safety system, you need evidence that the product is compliant, tested, and manufactured to a known standard. 

That’s exactly what our installation contractor customers get when they choose Sertus products. 

We’re a manufacturer, not a system designer and installer. Our job is to ensure the products we supply are designed, built, and tested in line with the latest standards. We run Factory Production Control (FPC) processes and carry out Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) on our products before they leave our factory. All of this is documented, and traceable through our ERP-based QA system.  

That gives specifiers confidence that what they’ve chosen is compliant and gives our installation contractor customers the products they need to deliver system-level performance on site. 

Everyone Has a Role. We Stick to Ours. 

Sertus looks after product compliance and manufacturing risk. Our customers, the contractors who install our products in their system are responsible for design, delivery, system integration, and site safety. That includes managing risk under CDM regulations, coordinating installation, and ensuring that their overall smoke control system performs as designed. 

Specifiers choose our products because we make their job simpler: we provide the compliant, tested components they need, without adding unnecessary complexity or uncertainty. 

Built for Today’s Projects   

Off-site construction, tighter programme windows, higher expectations around documentation, it’s all putting pressure on how building services are delivered. Pre-assembled, factory-tested smoke control products support that demand. 

They help: 

• Reduce time on site 

• Support installation sequencing and speed 

• Lower the chance of installation errors 

• Provide documentation for sign-off and audit 

With all testing and QA handled before the product arrives, contractors spend less time troubleshooting and more time installing. And specifiers can show a clear link between design intent and delivered performance. 

It Has to Work. First Time. 

Smoke control systems are life safety systems. There’s no room for guesswork. 

When Sertus products are delivered to site, they’ve already been tested. We don’t test samples; we test every unit before it leaves us. The documentation and QC that goes with each product being manufactured gives both specifiers and contractors the traceability they need. 

This is key for meeting Gateway requirements under the BSA, where products and systems need to show how and why they comply, not just that they’ve been installed. 

Make Specification Work Harder 

Specifying a tested, pre-assembled product isn’t just about reducing time on site. It’s about making sure that what's delivered performs – and that there’s evidence to back it up. 

With so much attention now on building safety, competence, and responsibility, choosing a manufacturer who handles product testing, traceability, and QA in-house makes a real difference. 

In Summary 

Specifiers choose Sertus products because: 

• Our products are built and tested under strict QA 

• Every unit undergoes Factory Acceptance Testing 

• Compliance is documented and traceable 

• Our processes align with current legislation and best practice 

• We support, not complicate, the install contractor’s role 

We don’t install systems. We make products that are ready to be installed by people who know what they’re doing. If you’re specifying smoke control and want certainty built in from the start, we’re here to support you. 

Ready to make it work on your next project? Let’s talk. 

About Sertus 

Sertus is a UK-based manufacturer of smoke control products, supporting safer, more compliant buildings through innovative, high-quality solutions. With a strong focus on off-site manufacture and modern methods of construction (MMC), Sertus delivers fully tested, factory-built products designed to simplify installation, reduce risk, and meet the demands of today’s construction environment. From early-stage design to post-install support, Sertus partners with contractors, architects, consultants, and developers to deliver smoke control that works – every time. It’s all part of our mission to make it simple. Learn more at sertus.uk. For all media enquiries, please contact us at hello@sertus.uk or call 01483 269999.