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 an organisation can achieve Third-Party Certification in one or more modules that they deliver (Design, Installation, Commissioning, and/or Maintenance). Many BAFE SP203-1 Registered Organisations hold all these modules, but it is important to check this when looking for a fire detection and fire alarm system organisation 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 organisation does.