Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

It is a legal requirement for all non-domestic/commercial properties to (where appropriate) equip the building with fire detectors and fire alarms. It is also part of these requirements to ensure they are maintained appropriately, ready to activate in the event of a fire.

As the person or team appointed responsible for fire safety in your building (Responsible Person/Duty Holder), it is important to demonstrate you have acted with due dilligence to source a competent provider for these works. BAFE strongly recommends using an appropriately Third Party Certificated provider.

BAFE manage and maintain a Scheme called BAFE SP203-1 which covers Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that providers are competent to deliver design, installation, commissioning and/or maintenance fire detection and fire alarm system services.

The BAFE SP203-1 Scheme is modular, meaning a company can gain Third Party Certification in one or more of these fire detection and alarm system service skills that they deliver. Many BAFE SP203-1 Registered Companies hold all these modules, but it is important to check this when looking for a fire detection and fire alarm system service provider to act with due diligence.

These modules observe best practice, working to British Standard BS 5839-1. This standard is the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic [commercial] premises. It is not the public’s responsibility to know these details, but to be confident that their chosen provider does.

*Results will also include providers who are BAFE Registered to the BAFE SP201 Scheme. The BAFE SP201 Scheme acknowledges providers who hold LPS 1014 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Third Party Certification (this covers all four modules) - a joint statement from BAFE and LPCB regarding this can be found here