Fire extinguisher mainte leading providers w to enhanced stan
Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive, at the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) – the UK’s leading, ind body in the security sector.
NSI approves over 1800 companies for the wide-ranging security and fire services including CCTV installation and management. Appointed by BAFE, NSI conducts
independent, third party inspection of approved companies providing design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for various fire protection schemes. Protecting staff, visitors, contents and the
building itself is a legal obligation of the occupiers of non-domestic buildings. A life safety fire risk assessment not only makes perfect sense as a first step in fire safety, it is also a legal requirement. A risk assessment determines how the building and the people within it may be best protected by a wide range of measures including a fire detection and alarm system, emergency lighting system and of course portable fire extinguishers. Just as important as the design and
standard of the product and installation of any systems, is its ongoing maintenance. Fire systems may never be used, but it goes without saying that a maintenance and testing programme should be in place to ensure
26 fmuk
that if ever called upon, they will perform as expected. Portable fire extinguishers are a first line
defence, and a key part of every organisation’s fire suppression plan. Extinguishers must of course be fit for purpose, that is, of appropriate type(s) for the known fire risk(s). To deal with the different classes of fire, a
range of fire extinguishers are available. All require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure readiness in any emergency, with the exception of the fire bucket: Water - Water Spray - Water Mist (Dry Water Mist) - Dry Powder (Multi-Purpose) - Dry Powder (Special Powders) - Foam (AFFF) - Carbon Dioxide - Wet Chemical - Fire Blanket - Hose Reel - Fire Bucket - Industry standards BAFE, the fire industry body, provides
approval schemes – including technical standards – to which fire protection companies can comply. Whilst not mandatory, approval to these schemes provide the buyer of services with an assurance of competence from service providers.
In the case of portable fire extinguishers,
standards apply not just to the product itself, but to the maintenance regime that supports them. The scheme for portable fire extinguisher maintenance ensures provider organisations are competent to provide fire extinguisher services including: • Selecting the appropriate fire extinguishers to be installed according to the identified risks
• Commissioning – on-site checking to ensure fire extinguishers are fit for purpose at the time of installation
• Siting – correct positioning and installation of extinguishers
• Maintenance and servicing – including regular scheduled checks to ensure ongoing effective working order is maintained and extinguishers are, at all times, ready for use.
Periodically BAFE updates its schemes.
The BAFE SP101 Fire Extinguisher Service Scheme was updated with effect from 1st October 2017. It is now known as a
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
