Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems

Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems

If you require to equip your building with a fixed gaseous fire extinguishing system BAFE strongly recommends using an appropriately Third Party Certificated provider. Once installed, it will be a legal requirement to ensure the system is maintained appropriately, so it remains ready to activate accordingly in an 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 quality provider for these works. By specifying an appropriately Third Party Certificated provider you can be confident you have acted responsibly.

BAFE operate a Scheme called BAFE SP203-3 which covers Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that providers are competent to deliver design, installation, commissioning and/or maintenance services for your Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System.

The BAFE SP203-3 Scheme is modular, meaning a company can gain Third Party Certification in one or more of these Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System service skills that they deliver. Many BAFE SP203-3 Registered Companies hold all these modules, but it is important to check this when looking for a fixed gaseous fire extinguishing system service provider.

Please ensure your chosen provider holds the appropriate module/s for the work you require:

Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System Design
- A designated expert will perform this task in line with the relevant Codes of Practice and Standards.
Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System Installation
- Performed by competent technicians working to the approved design.
Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System Commissioning
- Checking the system is safe and ready to use. The installation process may undertake some or all the initial testing. Under these circumstances, the commissioning process shall assess these results prior to undertaking a full check to sign off the system as ready.
Fixed Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System Maintenance
- Regular inspections by technicians with a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate British Standards. This is to check the system remains suitable for the building and fully operational, ready in the event of fire.

These modules observe best practice, working to British Standards BS EN 15004-1 and BS 5306-4. These standards are for fixed firefighting systems (gas extinguishing systems – design, installation and maintenance) and fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises (carbon dioxide systems). It is not the public’s responsibility to know these details, but to be confident that their chosen provider does.

How should I specify this in my requirements for these fixed gaseous fire extinguishing system work?
Specify: Third Party Certification/BAFE Registration to the BAFE SP203-3 Scheme for fixed gaseous fire extinguishing system work (noting the specific modules you require work for i.e. Design, Installation, Commissioning and/or Maintenance).