Nominated lead individuals for the BAFE SP203-1 Scheme are required to 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 clear 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 (e.g. FireQual Fire Detection and Alarm regulated qualification or equivalent).

OR

• A fire and security/electrotechnical/other regulated qualification that adequately covers working to BS 5839-1 (with appropriate evidence of this). This may be part of the requirements of an industry card such as an ECS FESS Systems Technician (Gold) card.

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 with suitable BS 5839-1 content has been part of the requirements in achieving this.

For example: The ECS FESS Systems Technician (Gold) card (or higher) must be able to demonstrate that all parts of the industry Level 3 Fire, Emergency and Security Systems Apprenticeship Standard were successfully completed and/or that EAL Level 3 Award in the Requirements of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings BS 5839-1 was achieved to obtain the ECS FESS card. Where the ECS FESS Systems Technician (Gold) card or higher is used as evidence, ECS should be contacted to verify if an individual's qualifications are appropriate when qualification certificates are unavailable. There are multiple types of ECS card available, hence the heightened evidence requirements to ensure the required qualifications are held.

Please check with your training provider(s)/card provider 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.