FAQ
Q. What is BAFE?
A. BAFE’s objective is to bring to the marketplace a registration scheme for each product or service within the fire protection industry, for which third party certification has been considered appropriate.
BAFE by adopting this principle helps the end user, whether this is a member of the public, industry, specifier or regulator to find their way through the maze of different schemes which proliferate within the industry.
All BAFE schemes have one underlying factor, that is ISO9001 or equivalent and a published technical prescription to which organisations, products and services can be independently assessed.
All of the certification bodies BAFE works with are United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) approved with a scope and experience to work within the fire protection industry.
Q. Is BAFE a certification body?
A. BAFE is not a Certification Body but seeks to use the best expertise in the fire protection field through voluntary co-operation, particularly with recognised certification bodies whilst, at the same time, welding the whole of the active fire protection certification field into a comprehensive national framework.
Q. Is BAFE an independent body?
A. BAFE was established in 1984 and has a Council on which are represented all major stakeholder interests, including the Government Representatives, as well as consumer interests, enforcement authorities, insurers, certification bodies, the trade and other interested parties.
Q. Does BAFE have a complainant’s procedure?
A. Yes – all complaints must be in writing and supported by whatever evidence is available. BAFE will then investigate and report back the findings of the investigation to the originator. Complaint information in certain circumstances would also be passed to the appropriate certification body or Trading Standards for their investigation as well.
Q. Do you have to be of any particular size to gain BAFE registration?
A. BAFE registration is open to any firm irrespective of their size.
Q. What are the benefits of BAFE registration?
A. BAFE is recognised by regulators and specifiers as a sign of quality of product or service and is a requirement of some major purchasing organisations prior to being entered on to their tender list.
Fire Brigades promote the use of BAFE listed companies particularly within the fire detection and alarm systems and the portable fire extinguisher markets.
A BAFE registered firm can also make use of the BAFE logo on products vehicles and business documentation.
Q. How do I become BAFE listed?
A The precursor to listing in most BAFE schemes is company registration to an appropriate ISO 9000 standard by a UKAS accredited certification body who has the scope to work within the fire protection industry.
The BAFE scheme SP203 does have an alternative quality route other than ISO 9001:2000.
The process defined below provides more detail on the listing process to ISO 9001:2000.
Q. What does it cost?
A. Cost of BAFE registration varies from scheme to scheme and also between organisations. If you require a quotation for BAFE registration for your company please contact us on 0844 335 0897 and we will be happy to provide you with a bespoke quotation.
Q. This BAFE scheme covering fire extinguisher service and maintenance includes service technicians. How many should I enter into the scheme?
A. The scheme rules require that all service technicians employed to carry out this work by the approved company are registered. A nominal period for new starters to join is provided for within this scheme.
Q. As a BAFE approved organisation which logo am I permitted to use?
A. BAFE has a set of rules covering the use of the logo. Details are available on a CD and a complimentary copy may be obtained by application to BAFE.
Q. How may I dispose of my old fire extinguishers?
A. it is normal practice for BAFE approved fire extinguisher service organisations to provide this service, however they are likely to make a charge to cover safety disposal. Note:- On no account should you discharge the contents of extinguishers as this can be damaging to the environment.
Q. How does the BAFE modular scheme SP203 work?
A. The advantage of the BAFE modular scheme is that it allows companies to become listed only for the area or areas in which they operate. For example a company who only install would become registered against the requirements of the installation section only, but a company who design and commission would be registered against the design and Commission modules. The benefit of this scheme is its flexibility allied to its integrity. The modules are:
- Design
- Installation
- Commissioning
- Maintenance
Q. How does the Registered Technician’s Scheme ST104 work?
A. The technician’s scheme is based on the organisation holding an accredited ISO 9001, as required by scheme SP101/ST104 certification and then the individual extinguisher technician within the organisation has to pass a recognised theoretical and practical examination and is also subject to an ongoing assessment process. The process assesses their ability to not only complete the work in a technically competent manner but also the softer skills of dealing with customers and awareness of health and safety issues when working on a customer site.
Q. What support is provided for third party certification in the proposed Regulatory Fire Safety Order?
A. The Government’s proposals to reform fire safety legislation through the introduction of a Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order places particular emphasis on the role of a responsible person in ensuring the fire safety of occupants of premises and all those who might be affected by fire. The responsible person is required to ensure that any person appointed to assist in complying with the requirements imposed by the Order, should be competent to carry out their responsibilities. Therefore, third party certification schemes, as a means of self-regulation, sit well with the Governments reform proposals.
The government has issued a series of eleven guides aimed at specific business areas to help employers and owners understand their responsibilities. The following statement appears in Section 8 of all of these guides.
"Common to the guides is Section 8:
"Third Pary certification schemes for fire protection products and related services are an effective means of providing the fullest possible assurances, offering a level of quality, reliability and safety that non-certificated products may lack. .. Third Party quality assurances can offer comfort both as a means of satisfying you that the goods and services you have purchased are fit for purpose, and as a means of demonstrating that you have complied with the law".
It is therefore important to understand what "Third Party" quality assurance schemes offer and BAFE approved organisations in particular and how you can ensure the company or person you appoint to carry out fire safety work is competent and can provide you with a certificate of conformity.
