Installing or connecting a fire alarm should be straightforward work for most competent electricians. But did you know that there is an industry standard for those firms primarily involved in the fire detection and fire alarm industry? For more than 25 years, BAFE Approval Schemes have set the industry standards for the fire protection industry. Third party assessment and certification with BAFE provides additional assurances for specifiers and consumers looking for firms to install fire protection systems.
Many electrical firms who specialise in this area also consider BAFE certification a necessary and vital tool to winning more work.
Mark Cairns, runs MGC Fire, based in Durham. Since gaining BAFE Approval he says he is busier than ever. “I started my own fire alarm business almost three years ago as I had a good knowledge and history of working with fire alarms,” he commented.
“I knew that I had to get BAFE certification as a lot of large companies carrying out that sort of work make it a requirement if they sub-contract the work out.”
The BAFE SP203-1 scheme has been set up as a modular scheme specifically to facilitate certification for the different work activities associated with fire detection and fire alarm systems. These modules are: design, installation, commissioning and handover, and maintenance.
Mark chose to go down the Installation and Commissioning route. “While most trained electricians are capable of installing fire alarm systems sufficiently the BAFE assessment is a bit more stringent,” he added.
“You are assessed on not just the quality of work but also the finer details and other procedures. “It’s interesting work and definitely a bit of a specialist market. BAFE sets us aside as having the knowledge to do it properly and to the right standard.”
NICEIC can now offer BAFE registration to contractors looking to diversify into this specialised market. As an incentive it is offering a special £50 discount for all current NICEIC registrants. For more information go to niceic.com/bafe or email enquiries@niceic.com