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ECA LAUNCHES BAFE FIRECERTIFICATION SCHEME


In March, the ECA launched a new third-party certification scheme allowing members to design, install, commission and maintain fire detection and alarm systems. Will Lloyd, the ECA’s fire and security technical manager, gives us the lowdown on the new scheme


it T


he fire systems market is currently worth almost £1 billion a year, the lion’s share of which is spent on alarm and detection systems. Up until now, registration of the market has been the preserve of


four certification bodies – BSI, IEC, NSI and SSAIB – all of whom can certificate contractors under the British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) quality scheme SP203-1. ECA Certification has now joined the other bodies in becoming UKAS accredited to offer the BAFE scheme to general electrical installers.


There has always been scope within the fire regulation and


certification market for another major player, and one that has a lot of synergy with the electrical contracting community. The ECA already houses a specialist division for the sector, the Fire and Security Association (FSA), so it makes sense for the association to be able to offer fire detection and alarm certification to its members and allow them to take advantage of a potentially larger market share.


The development is also good news for the insurance


industry and their customers, offering greater choice of contractors while maintaining a consistent standard of work. This will also potentially reduce lead times for work to be carried out. Many major organisations now require their contractors to be registered to the scheme and benefit from BAFE certificated systems.


Why should ECA members join the scheme? The move will make the market for the quality installation of fire detection and alarms more competitive and is designed to boost the skills and business opportunities of ECA and FSA members. In the current billion-pound market, there is almost a 50/50 split of project costs between design and installation. The majority of work is dedicated to the non-residential market (76 per cent) and almost 60 per cent of the work is focused upon new buildings. With such an opportunity, there is room for ECA members to take commercial advantage.


56 ECA Today May 2012


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