SSAIB News

SSAIB, one of the licensed certification bodies who deliver BAFE scheme assessments, are delighted to have achieved an historic milestone of 300 active BAFE scheme-certificated companies.

Looking back at last year - in September 2019 – BAFE registered A1 Fire and Security Ltd, who are the 300th active company on the BAFE Fire Safety Register that have been assessed and third-party certificated through SSAIB. They join the more than 1450 BAFE-registered companies who are third-party certificated, with over 1700 BAFE fire safety scheme certifications.

Devon-based A1 Fire and Security Ltd gained third-party certification and BAFE registration to the SP203-1 scheme, for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems.

Matthew Weigham of A1 Fire and Security Ltd stated: “Gaining certification to the BAFE SP203-1 scheme, through SSAIB as our certification body, is vital to show our commitment to quality when providing our fire alarm services. This audit was important to us to prove we are competent, and the certification provides us with substantial credibility that will help us promote this service.”

Stephen Adams, BAFE chief executive, said: “We congratulate both SSAIB on this milestone and A1 Fire and Security Ltd on gaining their third-party certification. SSAIB have been a long-standing supporter of BAFE, who are extremely proactive with their commitment to the fire safety industry.

“We wish them, and all of our licensed certification bodies, further ongoing success in our combined efforts to develop the quality regulation of this industry.”

SSAIB chief executive Alex Carmichael added: “SSAIB are extremely proud to offer the BAFE scheme assessments for fire safety third-party certification in multiple disciplines. Our congratulations go out to A1 Fire and Security on gaining their certification and I would also like to congratulate our fire systems scheme manager, Keith Strugnell, and the SSAIB team on this achievement.

“We will continue to work with BAFE to support the future of fire safety and, through certification of quality companies like A1 Fire and Security, the fire safety of customers’ premises.”

As the official installer partner for the show, SSAIB are proud to announce that IFSEC International - alongside its co-located shows FIREX International, Safety & Health Expo, Facilities Show, Workplace Wellbeing Show and Intelligent Building Europe - is launching an exciting new programme of digital content to keep you connected with your industry during the lockdown period.

With many of us now working remotely, meetings taking place from our living rooms and events postponed to the latter half of the year, there is an urgent demand for new ways to keep the security community connected.

Digital Week is designed to bring IFSEC International to your home office. Consisting of five days of exclusive, content-rich webinars and white papers, it’s is a fantastic opportunity to receive your summer fix of content from well-established thought leaders and association figureheads, engage with the security community and connect with potential suppliers and customers.

This five-day programme of content takes place on May 18-22. IFSEC International will be the focus on Tuesday May 19 and Wednesday May 20.

What you can expect:

• Expert-led panel debates on security issues, including the Security Institute’s Rick Mounfield, the BSIA’s Mike Reddington and SSAIB's very own chief executive Alex Carmichael on the state of the security industry.

• Presentations and seminars providing timely updates on the latest security developments, such as Richard Flint, chief executive, Physical Security Technical and business development manager from the BRE on protecting critical national infrastructure during the pandemic.

• Downloadable whitepapers, exclusive product launches, live Q&As and video demonstrations of new security solutions.

• A range of presentations and panel debates from co-located shows, including an Intelligent Building Europe seminar on successfully integrating smart technology into your buildings from Vanti CEO Mike Brooman on Wednesday May 20.

Digital Week is an opportunity to stay informed and connected ahead of IFSEC International 2020, receive advice, guidance and updates on major security issues, and develop new strategies for adapting to the working-from-home reality.

Register for free today to join the full programme of webinars and get access to videos, whitepapers and more.

SSAIB-registered fire, security and manned services firms continue to provide essential support to the fire and security industries during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Be it as a key worker or otherwise, SSAIB-registered firms have endeavoured to carry on with a broad spectrum of services ranging from local fire and security maintenance and the provision to new systems, all the way up to vitally important national Government projects – including the creation of the new NHS Nightingale field hospitals.

Regardless of the circumstances, the essential maintenance, call-outs and installation of new systems that SSAIB firms are doing during these difficult times is all helping to safeguard environments that are vitally important - such as hospitals, care homes, schools, supermarkets, other commercial property and national infrastructure - that may otherwise be at risk, including non-occupied properties.

We can assure the general public, businesses and the wider security and fire industries that SSAIB keep reminding registered firms to observe the latest Government guidelines on working safely with respect to COVID-19, which we are sure they do, to ensure that they carry out the work required of them in a safe environment for both themselves and their customers.

SSAIB are also doing our part to keep our firms up-to-date with all of the latest COVID-19 developments as and when they arise – in addition to providing help and support for a number of issues that they could be faced with during this ongoing time of uncertainty.

The safety of the general public, our registered firms and key worker staff remains our top priority during this time, while also ensuring that firms continue to fulfil their commitments to their customers and contracts as normal.

Domestic Customers (Homeowners)

The latest Government guidelines for tradespeople – such as SSAIB firms’ engineers – accessing domestic properties can be viewed within the Social Distancing in the Workplace During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Sector Guidance document. However, an overview of the main points are as follows:

Engineers are able to visit domestic properties to carry out the customer’s security or fire requirements, providing they are well, have no symptoms of COVID-19,they ensure they maintain a safe distance (of at least two metres) from any household occupants at all times and also have the necessary PPE (personal protective equipment) -  in an effort to ensure Government’s guidelines are observed.

Work should not be carried out in any household that is isolating or shielding an individual, unless it is necessary to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household (such as an emergency repair or fault.) Homeowners – and those accountable for the security and/or fire safety of the household – are responsible for ensuring a safe environment for any visiting key workers or engineers, as well as for any other residents under their roof.

Should an engineers have any coronavirus symptoms, however mild, then they should isolate.

Should a householder have any questions about any maintenance needed and what it might mean for their insurance cover – due to the circumstances of the current situation, including social distancing – the householder should contact their insurer, in order for them to give guidance.

Should any homeowners – or those responsible for security and/or fire safety – be in need of security or fire protection during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we advise that they can contact SSAIB-registered firms and that they should also contact their insurer with any concerns.

Non-Domestic Properties

Work undertaken on non-domestic properties is also duty-bound by the same Government guidelines on social distancing and other precautions.

With SSAIB-registered firms adhering to the latest Government guidance, they are able to continue to carry out repairs and maintenance and provide new system installations– when site access can be granted and Government safety requirements including social distancing maintained.

There is also a suggestion that - during this time when many buildings are stood empty - this is the ideal time for maintenance visits, additions to systems or the installation of new systems, because engineers can get the job done with minimal disruption to the usual working practices of the business itself.

Engineers are able to access the necessary premises or site(s) (with permission,) conduct the work that they need to and then inform the nominated person when all of the work has been completed, before leaving the job to allow it to be checked by the customer.

Installation of new Security Systems or Provision of a Security Service

If there is a need for a new security system or service to protect individuals or property, this can take place - provided it can be conducted in compliance with Government guidelines on social distancing in the workplace.

Although these are unprecedented times that we all find ourselves in, SSAIB, our registered firms and the fire and security industries as a whole continue to work as best we can – as a matter of necessity for the ongoing safety and security of the general public, businesses and national infrastructure.

SSAIB would like to congratulate two of our registered firms for their success at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards held in London last night.

ICTS UK claimed the ACS Champion of the Year award from their impressive four nominations on the night, while the twice-nominated Security Scotland (pictured) took home the trophy for Event Security Team of the Year.

For a full list of winners – and a gallery of all the successful nominees being presented with their awards by BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly – please visit https://www.securityandfireawards.com/winners-2019/.

SSAIB are delighted to confirm that a recent coffee morning at the SSAIB office has helped to raise £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Hosted earlier this month - as a late edition of the charity’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning fundraising events held worldwide – the morning saw SSAIB staff bring in a selection of cakes and savory food, which they then contributed monetary donations to enjoy.

A baby picture competition – which consisted of SSAIB employees pay for the privilege of guessing which of their co-workers were which from the numbered selections - also saw bookings team leader Michelle Robinson emerge victorious, to claim the prize of a bottle of wine that had also been donated. Finally, a raffle was also held to win a bottle of Prosecco and a collection of various sweets and chocolates.

After Douglas Macmillan founded the charity in 1911, Macmillan have grown to be the UK’s leading source of cancer support, helping more and more people living with cancer thanks to the support they receive from donations.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event – as, each year, people in the UK and worldwide host their own coffee morning. The donations received go towards Macmillan services and, in 2016 alone, World's Biggest Coffee Morning raised £29.5 million.

For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support and the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – or to find out how to host your own fundraising event – please visit https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/.