BAFE to ensure Fire Safety tenders are third-party certified

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25 Jun 2012 @Fireindustry

In an effort to raise fire safety standards in the UK, BAFE is working to ensure that tenders for fire safety contracts require third party certification (TPC).
Both BAFE , the registration body for companies that achieve third party certification for their fire protection services, and the Fire Industry Association ( FIA ) strongly recommend that that the installation and maintenance of fire safety equipment be carried out by a competent person who has TPC.
It is recommended that fire detection and alarm equipment should comply with the BAFE SP203 scheme, and portable fire extinguishers comply with ST101/ST104.
However, recent reports have revealed that some organisations have encountered advertised tenders that do not specify TPC as a prerequisite and BAFE is therefore encouraging FIA members to make them aware of any such cases.
Stephen Adams, general and marketing manager for BAFE , has confirmed that the body will then follow up any referred cases and ensure future tenders are modified.
A spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "We support third party certification schemes as an effective means of assuring the quality, reliability and safety of products and services, and recognise the valuable role BAFE plays in bringing to the marketplace recognised registration schemes for these products and services."