British Approval for Fire Equipment (BAFE) have released an update for their SP101 fire extinguisher maintenance/service scheme, which will take effect from October 1 2017.
Having conducted a lengthy consultation period in April 2016 – in which they created a scheme revision group, alongside a public consultation – the SP101:2017 updated servicing competency document is now available on BAFE’s website.
One of the biggest changes to the scheme for SSAIB is that it now offers a dual route option, meaning that registered firms can gain third-party certification via an ISO 9001 or a Management System route. However, both routes will “use the same audit criteria for fire extinguisher competencies.”
In an effort to continue to “provide the best assurances to the industry and their customers of what defines a quality provider of fire extinguisher services in today’s market,” the scheme “updates and strengthens the role of the fire extinguisher technician.”
BAFE state that this has “been enhanced further by including additional technical competence to the revised sections” of BS 5306 – which relates to fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises - on top of “requirements for having training in asbestos awareness and health and safety procedures.”
Meanwhile, there has also been a review of the technician competency portfolio that BAFE assessors use, meaning every technician that gain the BAFE diploma “continue to be the best in the industry.” That means that passing the BS 5306 exam is “‘only the first step in demonstrating understanding of the relevant standards to work competently in the field.”
A copy of the updated scheme document for SP101:2017 is available to download at www.bafe.org.uk/sp101-2017.