A step by step process of registering/becoming a BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Technician can be found below.

Step 1 – Check employer BAFE SP101 Registration

Is your employer/your organisation third-party certificated and BAFE Registered to the BAFE SP101 Competency of Portable Fire Extinguisher Organisations and Technicians Scheme? If yes, continue to step 2. If not, please visit the BAFE SP101 Scheme page for further information on this process.

Step 2 – Submit Application for new BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Technician

Your BAFE SP101 Registered employer submits an application form for each individual technician. With this form you must also provide evidence of successful completion of the recognised exam:

‘Theory and practice of servicing portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of BS 5306 Parts 3 and 8.’ BAFE currently recognises the exams taken via IFEDA, BFC, and BAFE. This must be kept up to date with refresher training every three years after passing the initial exam. For more information regarding the BAFE recognised exam click here

Applicant Technicians will also be required to show evidence of current/valid Health and Safety training and asbestos awareness training at this time.

Please note organisations will be charged a fire extinguisher technician application fee per technician on application, which includes the initial assessment. See Fee Sheet for further details.

Step 3 – Technician granted ‘Applicant’ Status

Once details have been checked (and payment has been received), the fire extinguisher technician will be granted ‘Applicant’ status. During this time applicants are not allowed to provide works under the BAFE SP101 competency scheme. They must be fully assessed and signed off by BAFE to do so (i.e. completing the process outlined on this web page).

Step 4 – Fire Extinguisher Technician Competency Portfolio

The applicant technician will be sent a Technician Competency Portfolio which is to be completed before on-site assessment. The essential areas of knowledge to be covered by the Technician Competency Portfolio and the assessment are:

• Theory of Fire Types of Fire risk
• Maintenance procedures
• Provision and siting of equipment
• Health and Safety
• Applicable British and International Standards
• Regulatory and Legislative requirements

For further information on the Technician Competency Portfolio please click here

Please note failure to complete the Technician Competency Portfolio prior to assessment may result in immediate failure of the assessment. An additional fee will be required to re-book the initial assessment.

Step 5 – On-Site Initial Assessment

The assessment of this knowledge is field based and is carried out by a BAFE appointed independent field assessor.

When the technician has successfully completed the identified areas in the Technician Competency Portfolio and has a successful on-site assessment with the BAFE appointed field assessor, this information is sent to BAFE Head Office for final approval. When the report is signed off the fire extinguisher technician will be awarded with the BAFE Fire Extinguisher Technician Diploma and a BAFE SP101 Identification Card (which are valid for a three year period). This three year period assumes that the fire extinguisher technician continues to be employed by the same BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation. In the event of a change of employment a re-registration will be required if they join another BAFE SP101 Registered Organisation. Should the technician leave their current employer or become employed by an organisation that is not BAFE SP101 Registered they will no longer be a BAFE SP101 Registered fire extinguisher technician with immediate effect.

Please note: Once successfully assessed (with report sign off from BAFE) and BAFE SP101 Registered, there is a monthly technician fee which is invoiced quarterly in arrears. Please see Fee Sheet for more information regarding charges. These fees cover the continuing assessment and administrative requirements of the BAFE SP101 competency scheme.