BAFE

[lingmoor]

Would you employ a Maintenance Technician to service your Fire Extinguishers if they wasn't BAFE registered?

Is there an equivalent to BAFE?

What qualifications would you be looking for?

Sorry if these sound daft questions to the experts.

[TFEM]

I own a fire extinguisher servicing and supply company. I have no doubt that members of BAFE will tell you that anyone that isn't a member, is not any good at their job. Personally, I don't think the scheme is effective at doing what it's supposed to which is to ensure the competency of its members. I, and many others will confirm, that they have seen evidence that some of the worst fire extinguisher servicing has been carried out by companies claiming to be members of all sorts of organisations.
I myself within the last couple of weeks have serviced extinguishers previously serviced by "approved" companies where ...a) the internal diptube was actually detached inside the extinguisher and....b) an 11 year old stored pressure powder unit with no evidence of any discharge test or recharge and having the original factory fitted gauge dot still in place.
Unfortunately, those people who are not carrying out the work correctly seem to be able to go home at night and sleep tightly in their beds.
In days gone by, any Tom, Dick or Harry could go out and service fire extinguishers as long as they were "competent". Nowadays, BS 5306 Part3:2009 states that a competent person shall be trained and qualified. At least this gives them the knowledge to do it correctly. Many still don't do it correctly. Many are still not qualified.
In 15 years of running my own business, I've only ever been asked once if we were BAFE registered. When I said no, I was asked whether I was a limited company. When I said no, the customer said that he was therefore quite happy.
Liability insurance is a must including product failure. Professional Indemnity is also a must have if a company charges for the advice it gives.
Finding the right person is a challenge. If it was me looking for a servicing company, I would invite 3 companies round, check their insurances, qualifications and prices and go on gut feeling of the guy himself. No guarantees at the end of the day however.
Hope this helps.
John

[lingmoor]

Hi John

thank you very much for taking the time to write your excellent reply....and yes it does help.

[AnthonyB]

As John says really.

Although the extinguisher trade bodies are primarily for the members benefit, not the customers, I find that more often than not their members do a good job as oppose to those who are not.

So look for IFEDA, UKFA or BFC membership as well as BAFE/FIA.

Those whose address looks rather like a residential address should be treated with caution - the highest number of non conformances come from the garden shed trading brigade.

Where BAFE is cited check what for - a lot of firms that are BAFE approved and do extinguishers only have BAFE approval for fire alarms and their extinguisher side is rotten.

[TFEM]

Where BAFE is cited check what for - a lot of firms that are BAFE approved and do extinguishers only have BAFE approval for fire alarms and their extinguisher side is rotten.

Yes Anthony.....another case a few months ago saw a fire alarm company offering to do fire extinguisher servicing and PAT testing free of charge if the alarm contract went their way. No mention on their website or sales literature about either of these additional services.
John

[lingmoor]

Please excuse my ignorance in accreditation

I have come across a company recently, who have employed a Fire Extiguisher Technician, and the guy is a member of The British Fire Consortium, he says that this is by choice and he is not BAFE

Are the BFC a viable alternative?

Thanks for all the other info.

[AnthonyB]

Yes, our company are BFC members and most other members are in good standing


I've done training courses with the BFC, FETA (via Chubb) & an independent and all have been OK.

Going for BAFE or FIA qualifications generally means you pay more for your training - I can do two engineer courses with any of the three other trade bodies (UKFA, IFEDA, BFC) for the price of an FIA one.

[lingmoor]

Thanks Anthony

[The Reiver]

Good day Lingmoor,
I am the manager of a company that is BAFE SP / ST registered and also a member of the BFC. My service personel are trained and examined by the training wing of the BFC which is one of the only 3 recognised training bodies as listed in BS 5306 pt3: 2009

My only advice is: Please do not confuse a service companies membership of ANY trade organisation with any definite level of competancy. I am aware some service companies are trying to pit their membership of the BFC against BAFE registration in an attempt to gain parity. Only when all the relevent staff (field engineers etc) have been examined and certificated by the approved training body can you then make a decision to employ using those good old legal buzzwords of "Best Practice". This means you have done your best to research the qualifications of service vendors and got the best possible in to your premises.

BAFE auditing takes it one step further and goes into the "third party accreditation" way of things. Membership of a trade organisation such as BFC, IFEDA, FIA is NOT deemed as third party accreditation. Would a company third party accredited by BAFE be deemed "best practice" in a court of law should things hit the fan ?

So, we are BFC members for trade news, info and finger on the pulse stuff, ISO and BAFE registered for third party accreditation.
Why ? Simple, because we believe at this time, they are the best available to us. Some may not think so and each to their own in that opinion but after 25 years in this trade, I have seen the worst of BAFE companies and non-BAFE companies. At least with the former you've got somewhere to send the evidence to.

[AnthonyB]

True, but they then have to do something with it, which they don't seem keen to do from my experience and that of at least one other.

Trade body membership in no way implies competence but in my experience around the country over the years there is a rough hierarchy that gives a guide to standards going from 'nothing' through 'trade member' to 'BAFE', nothing being the types still servicing halon,trade members being a bit more reliable and then BAFE being most reliable (but not perfect either)