BAFE FAQs

Nominated lead individuals for the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme shall be appropriately qualified with a Level 3 (or higher) regulated qualification. At minimum, this shall be a fundamentals qualification with content relevant to the nominated Lead Individual’s responsibilities (i.e. design, installation, commissioning/handover, and/or maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems working to BS 5839-1).

Where evidence of a regulated qualification is provided to the Certification Body this certificate shall clearly indicate this was working to BS 5839-1 with the relevant content (i.e. design, installation, commissioning/handover, and/or maintenance). Where this is not clearly stated on the certificate but was included in the course learning objectives/syllabus/qualification specification, it is strongly recommended to provide further evidence to the Certification Body to substantiate this.

This may be evidenced with a regulated qualification (Level 3 or higher) that is:

• A dedicated Fire Detection and Alarm regulated qualification (i.e. has “Fire Detection and Alarm” and/or “BS 5839-1” referenced in the qualification title) that can demonstrate that working to BS 5839-1 was covered within its qualification specification.

OR

• A fire and security/electrotechnical/other regulated qualification that adequately covers working to BS 5839-1 (with appropriate evidence of this).

Please check with your training provider(s) if you are unsure on the regulated status of any qualifications/certification that you hold.

At present any cards developed by the industry that are used as evidence to meet BAFE SP203-1 Lead role criteria must be able to clearly evidence an appropriate Level 3 Regulated Qualification to BS 5839-1 has been part of the requirements in achieving this.

The Certification Body, in their role as auditor for the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme, are responsible for determining the suitability of a regulated qualification held by nominated Lead Individual based on this information and the criteria set out in the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme Document.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date as of time of publishing. Any sources of information are stated appropriately. No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.

For older regulated qualifications achieved, it is important that any supporting evidence is provided to the Certification Body during their audit process to enable them to evaluate if this is appropriate. Supporting evidence may include course learning objectives, syllabus, or qualification specification. Training records (e.g. additional refresher courses/CPD) would also be considered appropriate to ensure that knowledge has been kept up to date (this is especially important if the version of BS 5839-1 has been updated since achieving the regulated qualification).

Please check with your training provider(s) if you are unsure on the regulated status of any qualifications/certification that you hold.

The Certification Body, in their role as auditor for the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme, are responsible for determining the suitability of a regulated qualification held by nominated Lead Individual based on this information and the criteria set out in the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme Document.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date as of time of publishing. Any sources of information are stated appropriately. No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.

There are non-ministerial Government departments across the United Kingdom that regulate the qualifications, examinations, and assessments in their constituent countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

It should be noted that qualifications can cross boundaries, which means any regulated qualification that meets the Level 3 requirements as set out in the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme Document can be achieved from any of the four constituent countries regulatory bodies.

The BAFE SP203-1 Scheme Document states:

"Regulated Qualifications at Level 3 refer to the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland. The Qualifications Framework for Wales equivalent is Level 3, and the Qualifications Framework for Scotland equivalent is Level 6. Qualifications can cross boundaries."

Please note when searching for appropriate regulated qualifications available, the regulated qualification shall cover Fire Detection and Alarm systems working to BS 5839-1 (included in title/syllabus/qualification specification/other evidence available).

Once you have found an appropriate regulated qualification this can be used to find the owner organisation/Awarding Organisation, who should be able to direct you to who can deliver this.

Find a Regulated Qualification (GOV.UK)

https://www.gov.uk/find-a-regulated-qualification (external link)

England/Northern Ireland

For English and Northern Irish regulated qualifications, please visit the Ofqual Register. This can be used to find qualifications regulated by Ofqual and CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment).

https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ (external link)

Scotland

For Scottish regulated qualifications, please visit the SCQF Database. This can be used to find qualifications and learning programmes regulated by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

https://scqf.org.uk/about-the-framework/scqf-database/ (external link)

Wales

For Welsh regulated qualifications, please visit the QiW (Qualifications in Wales) Database. This can be used to find qualifications regulated by Qualifications Wales.

https://www.qiw.wales/?lang=en (external link)

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date as of time of publishing. Any sources of information are stated appropriately. No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.

BAFE fully appreciate that there are experienced individuals working within BAFE SP203-1 Registered Organisations. The updated competency requirements introduced in August 2023 now require the nominated Lead Individual(s) to be appropriately qualified. This does not mean that individuals are required to undertake training, but only to achieve the required level of regulated qualification if this is not held to evidence this knowledge. If you (or your nominated Lead Individuals) are confident that you would pass an exam without training prior to this, please enquire with appropriate training providers to see if they would permit you to take the exam only. We trust this clarification will help in reducing any concerns regarding this requirement in the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme Document.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date as of time of publishing. Any sources of information are stated appropriately. No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.