BAFE FAQs

The BS 5306 exam ‘Theory and practice of servicing portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of BS 5306 Parts 3 and 8’ is the recognised exam that is part of the requirements in achieving the BAFE Diploma and BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Technician registered status.

Please note achieving this certification (from a BAFE invigilated exam) alone does not authorise the holder to trade as a BAFE (or BSI) authorised organsiation or technician nor does it authorise the use of any associated logo or trademark (e.g. using the BAFE or BSI logo or insinuating BAFE Registration etc).

To become BAFE SP101 Registered to perform fire extinguisher servicing/maintenance please review information for the BAFE SP101 Scheme

As stated in the current version of BS 5306-3 (Annex I – Training of competent persons), BAFE accepts exams (as part of the criteria in achieving BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Technician registered status) from multiple external training providers with BAFE invigilation (i.e. the BAFE BS 5306 exam), BFC or IFEDA:

Please contact your chosen training provider for costs associated with the BS 5306 training and/or exam.

If you have a pre-existing condition (medical or other) that may affect your ability to take the exam under normal examination conditions, please contact your chosen training provider directly for access requirements that can be provided (please note evidence may be required).

Please declare this information as early as possible to ensure the training provider has time to consult/action with invigilators. If this is not done, candidates may be required to take the exam under normal conditions.

Some invigilators may provide equipment, but this is not guaranteed. Please check with your chosen training provider what is required for you to complete your training and exam.

The theory part of the BS 5306 examination is two hours. Please contact your chosen provider for any further information (e.g. time required to arrive prior to exam beginning).

The practical part of the BS 5306 examination is normally around half an hour. Please contact your chosen provider for any further information (e.g. time required to arrive prior to exam beginning/what equipment to bring).

The employer of the technician will receive a copy of your BS 5306 exam certificate. Under normal circumstances this will require refresher training to be taken every three years to keep this original BS 5306 exam certification valid.

“Refresher training

A competent person is required either to attend a refresher training course of at least 1 day duration, or to undergo refresher training that is structured as continuing professional development over aperiod that has documented outlines and training material.

The refresher training has to be completed within a period of 3 years of passing either:

a) the initial training course examination; or

b) the last refresher training examination. The competent person after completing the refresher training has to take and pass a written examination.”

- BS5306-3 Annex I (informative) Training of competent persons

Please note achieving this certification (from a BAFE invigilated exam) does not authorise the holder to trade as a BAFE authorised company or technician nor does it authorise the use of any associated logo or trademark.

This BS 5306 exam certification can then be used as part of your application process for BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Technician registration.

For any exams invigilated by BAFE, all results and certificates for the BS 5306 exam will be sent to the training providers. You will need to contact them directly for this information.

BAFE is not able to provide this information directly to candidates (or their employers). We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If your exam was invigilated by BAFE, you can order a copy of your BS 5306 exam certificate. Please note this will incur a small fee for the administration of this. Please contact the BAFE office to enquire.

If your BS 5306 exam refresher certification is over three years old, please contact your training provider for further information.

“Refresher training

A competent person is required either to attend a refresher training course of at least 1 day duration, or to undergo refresher training that is structured as continuing professional development over a period that has documented outlines and training material.

The refresher training has to be completed within a period of 3 years of passing either:

a) the initial training course examination; or

b) the last refresher training examination. The competent person after completing the refresher training has to take and pass a written examination.”

- BS5306-3 Annex I (informative) Training of competent persons

If you have failed the theory part of the BS 5306 exam you can book a re-sit via your chosen training provider (recommended) or directly with BAFE.

You have 12 months from original exam date to re-sit and pass either part (theory or practical) of the BS 5306 exam. If you fail to do this, you must take both the theory and practical parts again to achieve this exam certification.