NSI approves fire safety companies providing services in accordance with BAFE schemes as follows:
- Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment
- Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
- Kitchen Fire Protection Systems
- Fixed Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems
- Emergency Lighting
- Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Providers
These schemes are acknowledged by the Fire & Rescue Services, Government, Insurers and the fire industry as benchmarks for companies delivering these fire protection services and demonstrate their competence.
There are Two Levels of NSI Approval for these schemes – find out more.
Kitchen Fire Protection Systems -SP206
NSI – the first Certification Body in the UK to assess and verify competency of contractors who install and maintain kitchen fire protection systems to BAFE Scheme SP206.
This fire-safety scheme covers the Design, Installation, Commissioning, Recharge and Maintenance of these specialist fire protection systems.
Find out more about this new approval scheme.
Download the SP206 BAFE Scheme document
Competency of Portable Fire Extinguisher Organisations and Technicians SP101
From October 2017 the BAFE SP101 ‘Competency of Portable Fire Extinguisher Organisations and Technicians’ Scheme is available for companies at Gold and Silver level.
All portable fire extinguisher technicians must have undertaken a recognised BAFE examination (e.g. FIA, IFEDA or British Fire Consortium). All commissioning and maintenance of portable extinguishers must be carried out in accordance with British Standard BS 5306 part 8 and BS 5306 Part 3.
In order to achieve BAFE SP101 certification, all portable fire extinguisher technicians must register on the BAFE SP101 scheme.
To find out more about this Scheme and competency requirements, go to the BAFE website.
Download the SP101 BAFE Scheme document
Emergency Lighting – SP203-4
NSI approves companies through its Fire Gold and Fire Silver schemes to meet the requirements of the BAFE SP203-4 Emergency Lighting scheme.
BAFE SP203-4 is also based on the modular approach, allowing an organisation to seek approval for one or more of the modules listed above, depending on the activities of the business.
Download the SP203-4 BAFE Scheme document
Download the SP203-4 BAFE Guidance document
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems – SP203-1
NSI approves companies through its Fire Gold and Fire Silver schemes to meet the requirements of the BAFE SP203-1 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Scheme.
This scheme allows a company to seek approval for one or more of the modules below, depending on the activities of the business:
- design
- installation
- commissioning
- maintenance
Download the SP203-1 BAFE Scheme document
Download the SP203-1 BAFE Guidance document
> Fire Detection & Alarm Systems: Users & Buyers – Choosing Competent Contractors to Reduce Your Risk
Fixed Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems SP203-3
The BAFE SP203-3 Scheme for Fixed Gaseous Fire Suppression is also based on the modular approach as above.
Download the SP203-3 BAFE Scheme document
Download the SP203-3 BAFE Guidance document
Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment – SP205
All businesses with five employees or more must produce a documented fire risk assessment to establish that all the correct measures have been taken regarding fire prevention and detection.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, emphasises the importance of preventing fires and reducing risk. It is the responsibility of businesses to ensure the safety of employees and visitors alike. The designated responsible person must conduct, or employ a suitably qualified person to conduct, a fire risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire safety plan.
NSI approves individuals and organisations who provide life safety fire risk assessments (BAFE scheme SP205). A ‘responsible person’ within a business who chooses an SP205 NSI approved/BAFE registered practitioner to carry out a risk assessment can be assured that they have contracted a suitably competent and qualified expert, therefore meeting their legal obligations.
Download the BAFE SP205 Scheme document – June 2019
Download the BAFE SP205 Guidance Note
The Role of BAFE
BAFE develops relevant schemes for the fire sector in conjunction with interested parties such as NSI, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), insurance companies and the fire industry.
These schemes can then be operated by carefully selected Third Party Certification Bodies such as NSI, who must be accredited by UKAS for the relevant BAFE scheme.
Find out more here.
More Information:
> Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) What is the Fire Safety Order?
If you are interested in making an enquiry about NSI approval for one of the BAFE Fire Schemes, please complete our ENQUIRY FORM.
If you have any queries, please call our friendly Applications team on 01628 764885 or email them at applications@nsi.org.uk – they will be happy to help you.
