BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) News

BAFE and FireQual Ltd are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nic Preston as the FireQual Qualifications Manager from 1st September 2020. Nic Preston Nic Preston has over 14 years of experience in the training and development sector with a proven ability in quality assurance demonstrated in several roles influencing training environments within the UK. His most recent roles have been developing and implementing growth strategies as Chief Executive of SFEDI Awards, the Awarding Organi...

BAFE FireQual Ltd are pleased to announce that they have appointed Nic Preston as the FireQual Qualifications Manager from 1st September 2020. Nic has over 14 years of experience in the training and development sector with a proven ability in quality assurance demonstrated in several roles influencing training environments within the UK. His most recent roles have been developing and implementing growth strategies as Chief Executive of SFEDI Awards, the Awarding Organization for enterprise deve...

BAFE and the FIA announced the acquisition of the FIA AO by BAFE FireQual Ltd. BAFE strongly believe this will be a significant opportunity for the fire industry to develop an exciting range of accredited qualifications to meet the demand for quality assurance of individual skill and expertise required by the industry. This necessity was heightened by the Grenfell tragedy and its subsequent reports outlined by Dame Judith Hackitt and the Competency Steering Group. Dame Judith Hackitt stated: &l...

The FIA is pleased to announce that following extensive and detailed discussions with BAFE, the independent register of third-party certificated fire safety service providers, that BAFE will be acquiring the operation of the FIA AO. BAFE will be establishing FireQual Ltd as an OFQUAL-approved Awarding Body to run the existing fire detection and alarm qualification examinations and to develop new qualifications across the fire sector that will support the call for greater competence and availabi...

The FIA is pleased to announce that following extensive and detailed discussions with BAFE, the independent register of Third Party Certificated fire safety service providers, BAFE will be acquiring the operation of the FIA AO.   BAFE will be establishing FireQual Ltd as an OFQUAL-approved Awarding Body to run the existing Fire Detection and Alarm qualification examinations and to develop new qualifications across the fire sector that will support the call for greater competence and avail...

BAFE, British Approvals for Fire Equipment, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, has announced their latest Scheme, BAFE SP207, currently in the final stages of development. BAFE SP207 Scheme BAFE SP207 covers the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems. These systems are used by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats (including single-storey flats and maisonettes) across the UK. The Scheme has been develope...

At the start of April this year, BAFE published information for SP101 Registered Companies regarding coronavirus and the multiple factors related to fire extinguisher technician requirements.  BAFE earlier this month resumed technician assessments and BS 5306 Exam invigilation (where safe to do so). SP101 Scheme Now that COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease, BAFE would like to announce that refresher, asbestos awareness, and health and safety training will now resume under normal...

At the start of April this year, BAFE published information for SP101 Registered Companies regarding coronavirus and the multiple factors related to fire extinguisher technician requirements. BAFE earlier this month resumed technician assessments and BS 5306 Exam invigilation (where safe to do so). Now that COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease, BAFE would like to now announce that refresher, asbestos awareness and health and safety training will now resume under normal conditions as requ...

Renowned UK residential property management and letting company, BRNS Group has partnered with Amthal Fire & Security to deliver on fire safety maintenance for its extensive London development portfolio. BRNS Group provides a full, integrated service of management and letting in property, from acquisition and refurbishment, through letting and management. It has entrusted 20 plus luxury developments through the Capital and Greater London. Partnership with Amthal Fire & Security Workin...

Professional competence recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future report are set to be fulfilled by BSI with a new standards program. BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, announced a new National Standards program to raise professional competence in the built environment sector. The standards aim to tackle the competence challenges identified in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, Building a Safer Future,...

The government is determined to continue to learn the lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, and reform building and fire safety to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again. Government published the draft Building Safety Bill which “takes forward reforms to the (domestic) building and fire safety system.” They state the Bill will “improve building and fire safety, so that people will be, and will feel, safer in their homes.” UKAS Accredited Third-...

BAFE, the British Approvals for Fire Equipment has stated that professional competence recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ report is set to be fulfilled by BSI with a new standards program. National Standards program “BAFE is actively working on a number of Working Groups (WGs), including the Built Environment Competence Standards (BECS) Strategy Group and the Competence Steering Group (CSG) to help raise and set the bar of fire sa...

The UK Government published the draft Building Safety Bill which “takes forward reforms to the [domestic] building and fire safety system.” They state the Bill will “improve building and fire safety, so that people will be, and will feel, safer in their homes.” The draft Building Safety Bill, alongside supplementary information can be found on the Government website. Government have also launched an important consultation to strengthen the current Regulatory Reform (Fir...

In the BSI hosted webinar, recent Schemes launched by BAFE will be discussed, being BAFE SP206 (covering the Design, Installation, Commissioning, Recharge and Maintenance of kitchen fire protection/suppression systems) and BAFE’s latest Scheme made available, BAFE SP105 (covering the Service and Maintenance of Dry and Wet Riser/Falling Installations). Chris Auger, Head of Schemes of BAFE, will also provide an update on work continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an explan...

BAFE SP101 fire extinguisher technician assessments and BS 5306 Exam during the coronavirus pandemic. BAFE is focused on protecting assessors and fire extinguisher technicians from the threat of COVID-19. After reviewing the risk threat posed by COVID-19, BAFE has established new safety procedures to recommence fire extinguisher technician assessments for the BAFE SP101 Scheme. BAFE SP101 Scheme BAFE is now in a position to accept bookings for assessments with immediate effect from 06/07/2020...

BAFE are focused on protecting assessors and fire extinguisher technicians from the threat of COVID-19. After reviewing the risk threat posed by COVID-19, BAFE have established new safety procedures to recommence fire extinguisher technician assessments for the BAFE SP101 Scheme. BAFE are now in a position to accept bookings for assessments with immediate effect from June 7, 2020. To book an assessment, one may contact the BAFE office via email. BAFE have also considered COVID-19 risk for BS 5...

BAFE has issued guidance to their invigilators to enable the safe return to invigilating exams allowing the Servicing and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers course to resume. BAFE is expecting that they will be able to re-commence exams w/c 13th July 2020. Most areas of the UK will be covered however at this time they are unable to provide exams to Northern Ireland. Coverage for the South East will be limited due to availability of invigilators but trainers are requested to check with t...

BAFE is pleased to note the announcements made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Most notably, the one meter plus rule (in England) will help in the continuation of the fire safety industry by gaining access to buildings to perform essential fire safety work and maintenance as required by legislation. BAFE awaits further guidance to be released by the Government shortly, which will assist the industry to determinedly continue with extreme care and diligence. fire safety provisions and systems...

BAFE shared the announcement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Most notably, the one meter plus rule (in England) will help in the continuation of the fire safety industry gaining access to buildings to perform essential fire safety work and maintenance as required by legislation. We await further guidance to be released by Government in the near future which will assist the industry to determinedly continue with extreme care and diligence. Fire safety provisions Stephen Adams, Chief Exec...

Amthal has worked closely with the management team and residents at Kenilworth Court to ensure fire and security upgrades on site occur without compromising on aesthetics of the Edwardian mansion blocks. Situated in Putney, Kenilworth Court consists of eight purpose-built Edwardian style blocks of flats, completed in 1904 – 1905. Featuring 150 portered flats, with a garden in the middle, it is now run by the controlling company, Kenilworth Court Co-ownership Housing Association Ltd. Secu...

Due to the current lockdown in place, there have been restrictions on access to the site, both office and customer premises.  The Certification Body however will be required to assess competence on-site but may issue temporary certification during this period. Interested parties can contact the Certification Body for their current position. Concession granted It is the BAFE position that if scheme requirements cannot be fully met due to the current lockdown issues relating to access to c...

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire incident occurred three years ago, on the 14th of June 2017. BAFE, the British Approvals for Fire Equipment has offered thoughts to the families and friends, at this time, who have lost loved ones and who have been affected in other ways by the saddening Grenfell Tower fire event. safeguarding lives in fire incidents BAFE have been working diligently to assist in making positive change to safeguard from any future loss of life and to dramatically improve building...

With recent developments in the approach out of lockdown, Fire and Rescue Services nationwide have been publishing useful advice and guidance for commercial/non-domestic buildings. A recent news item published by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) for example, announced a new fire safety leaflet “Returning to Work after COVID-19 Lockdowns” noting important fire safety measures that should continue to be followed to adhere to legislation. new safety measures BAFE has...

The campaign, Don’t Just Specify, Verify!, launched by the BAFE Fire Safety Register recently was established to create greater awareness of Third Party Certification in the fire safety sector. Quality regulation awareness All premises management (i.e. the Responsible Person/Duty Holder) must understand quality regulation is present in the fire safety industry through UKAS Accredited Third-Party Certification and specify these appropriate providers. This should always be followed u...

The fire industry has made it absolutely clear, led by authorized bodies including the BAFE Fire Safety Register, that the current pandemic does not remove the need to comply with any fire safety requirements under the Building Regulations. As we now look beyond the lockdown period, John Allam, Operations Director at Amthal Fire and Security reviews the raft of new proposals demonstrating the Government and industry’s commitment to compliant fire safety and new immediate demands placed on...

The campaign, Don’t Just Specify, Verify!, launched by the BAFE Fire Safety Register earlier in the year 2020 was established to create greater awareness of Third Party Certification in the fire safety sector. It is important that all premises management (i.e. the Responsible Person/Duty Holder) understand quality regulation is present in the fire safety industry through UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification and specify these appropriate providers. This should always be followed up wi...

WYFRS recommends reviewing the fire assessment as soon as possible after returning from lockdown and systems and provisions are maintained to check they are working correctly. Stephen Adams, Chief Executive–BAFE, commented: “We are pleased to see Fire and Rescue Service information mirrors what BAFE has been advising as we begin the process of returning to a ‘new normal’. Many business premises will have changed the way they operate due to new coronavirus safety measures...

WYFRS recommends to review the fire assessment as soon as possible after everyone returns from lockdown and systems and provisions are maintained to check they are working correctly. Stephen Adams, Chief Executive – BAFE, commented: “We are pleased to see Fire and Rescue Service information mirrors what BAFE has been advising as we begin the process of returning to a ‘new normal’. Many business premises will have changed the way they operate due to new coronavirus safety...

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) summarizes the document as 'a strategy to drive the recovery of the construction and built environment sectors, and through them, the wider UK economy, following the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.' BAFE is optimistic the construction sector will, as the document states, 'ensure the sector is reformed to create a legacy of safe building.' importance of fire safety Stephen Adams, Chief Executive of BAFE, comments, “The importance of this...

With coronavirus lockdown measures in place slowly beginning to ease, BAFE strongly advises that fire safety measures are not overlooked or deferred further. There is a bombardment of information coming out regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the changes to the ‘new normal’ we are becoming accustomed to. BAFE has been keeping abreast of this information and hopes they have found the news provided on the BAFE website useful. Fire safety measures BAFE strongly advises that fire s...