Given the serious nature of fires in the workplace it is essential that your fire alarm system is installed and maintained by a BAFE member.
The BAFE has produced ten reasons why their accreditation is so important:
All BAFE Registered Companies nationwide have been independently and regularly assessed by a UKAS Accredited Certification Body to ensure they are competent to deliver your required service.
This independent assessment is completely voluntary, meaning a provider’s own time and money is used to demonstrate their commitment to quality, showing they are skilled professionals to help meet your requirements.
Reduce the risk – There is now such a wide range of certificated companies that you can refine your choices without loss of competition. There are plenty of providers available who claim third party certification is not necessary, but who is assessing their competency?
As the person responsible for fire safety, you can see certificated evidence of your chosen provider’s competency. Your insurers will be interested in seeing this evidence, especially if you have to make a claim. Request to see and check your provider’s third party certification/BAFE Registration Certificate.
This certificated evidence demonstrates due diligence in sourcing a competent provider to help meet your fire safety obligations.
BAFE Registered Companies are assessed annually, meaning ongoing assessment of their competency with up to date relevant standards and best working practice.
BAFE scheme criteria for third party certification are monitored and reviewed regularly by BAFE Scheme working groups using industry experts to ensure they are always at the leading edge of the fire protection industry. This means these certification schemes remain the most up to date representation of quality and competency for specific fire safety services.
BAFE monitor registered companies to ensure they continue to work to the scheme criteria at all times. If for any reason a provider’s competency falls into disrepute, this will be investigated and if confirmed, their BAFE registration will be suspended until rectified or terminated
The BAFE Fire Safety Register is free to access, meaning no additional cost to public or procurement specialists to find or verify evidentially competent providers for your fire safety requirements. What is your excuse not to check?
It is recommended by Government, from both GOV.UK and GOV.SCOT fire safety guidance, to use third party certificated providers for fire protection services as “an effective means of providing the fullest possible assurances, offering a level of quality, reliability and safety that non-certificated products [and services] may lack” (GOV.UK Fire Safety Guidance Documents). Multiple Fire and Rescue Services across England and Wales recommend this and is strongly encouraged by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also stress that a competent person should be used “to enable them to implement the appropriate fire safety measures”.
