British Standards v NFPA. Are we being ripped off?

[Messy]

With Enforcers, Risk Assessors and Consultants all quoting British standards (quite rightly) as the benchmark to achieve 'automatic' compliance, isn't it about time the poor hammered Responsible Person had a little more access to them?

Consider that Mr Smith runs a High St Pharmacy. He's an educated guy and has downloaded the Govt FS guides to attempt this simple FRA. During his assessment he has to consider:
A fire alarm system - BS5839-1 2013 =  ?264
Emergency lighting - BS5266-1  2011 = ?204
and fire extinguishers BS 5306-3:2009= ?168
        ........................................TOTAL ?636

How is that allowing the RP the opportunity to complete their own FRA? (as opposed to buying in help)

In the US, the public have free access to NFPA codes, and where on sale, they are 10 x cheaper

NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment - non members = ?26
(The NFPA also allow public access for free via the web)

BS 6266:2011 -Fire protection for electronic equipment installations. Code of practice - non members = ?204
(No free access to the public)


Are we being ripped off, or am I not comparing like with like???

[kurnal]

Somebody has to pay for the work involved in producing the standards I suppose. However when you consider how BSI operate in that regard it's even more frustrating.

[Dinnertime Dave]

With Enforcers, Risk Assessors and Consultants all quoting British standards (quite rightly) as the benchmark to achieve 'automatic' compliance,

A colleague went to the FIA presentations a few weeks back and the speaker from BSI said that they aren't benchmarks but "A proven way of doing something" !

But I do get you point.

[Wiz]

I've always maintained that British/European Standards should be paid for out of taxation income since their purpose has a benefit for the whole of society.

Copies should be available free-of-charge on-line, and hard copies at the cost of printing and postage.

[William 29]

You can get free access in most libraries.

I do agree they are expensive and also restricted in how you can use them, i.e. only copy a percentage of the BS etc.

I looked into membership of BSI once to gain access to all the BS's very expensive! And we moan about the cost of 3rd part certification!?

[colin todd]

I never moan about the cost of TPC or British standards. I am a walking moan-free zone.