| igade Policy is set to change drastically and many | | | | These URNs can only be issued if a system is |
| businesses will find that they must pay to have | | | | installed and serviced by a BAFE accredited |
| their current alarm system replaced in order to | | | | company. |
| meet their insurance requirements and to get Fire | | | | This is because, at the moment, Fire Brigades |
| Brigade response in the event of a fire. | | | | waste a lot valuable time and resources by having |
| Even if you have recently had a brand new fire | | | | to attend to what turns out to be a false alarm. |
| alarm installed to BS5839, unless the installer had | | | | The CFOA believes to a degree that this is |
| BAFE accreditation, you may still find your | | | | because of the poor standard of installation by |
| insurance refusing to pay for fire damage. | | | | non-regulated Fire Alarm companies. By making it |
| The fact is that until an incident occurs, you will | | | | a pre-requisite that the Fire Alarm company |
| have no idea whether or not the alarm system | | | | demonstrates that it maintains the highest |
| you have chosen and paid for will do the job of | | | | standards in all aspects of its operation, they |
| protecting property and human life. | | | | believe they will virtually eliminate false alarm time |
| One way to be sure that your fire alarm is of the | | | | wasting. |
| very best standard is to ensure that you choose | | | | Put simply, if a fire alarm is not certified and |
| a company who has BAFE SP203 accreditation. | | | | maintained by a BAFE accredited company, the |
| What is BAFE? | | | | CFOA will not issue the URN and the Fire Brigade |
| Established in 1984, the British Approvals for Fire | | | | will not respond. |
| Equipment (BAFE) is a non-profit making | | | | Another little known fact is that this requirement |
| organisation, operating independent third party | | | | will be enforced retrospectively within the next |
| schemes of approval for fire protection systems | | | | few years for all fire alarm systems. |
| and services. | | | | This BAFE certification for existing fire alarm |
| There are a number of Standards but the one | | | | installations can only be undertaken by a BAFE |
| which relates to Fire Alarms is BAFE SP203. To | | | | accredited company. Because it is probable that |
| have this accreditation means that a company | | | | the whole system will need to be pulled apart to |
| has been vetted by BAFE and that nothing will be | | | | undertake the inspection, this could also prove to |
| left to chance. The design, installation and | | | | be very costly. The inspection will include every |
| maintenance of the fire system will be of the | | | | detail of the system from basic design to the |
| very highest integrity. | | | | cabling and installation to ensure that it complies |
| BAFE SP203 has 4 modules which means that | | | | fully with all the relevant Standards. |
| companies only have to become listed for the | | | | By choosing a BAFE accredited company to install |
| area or areas in which they operate. A company | | | | and maintain your Fire Alarm system, you can |
| who only installs, for example, would register for | | | | rest assured that you will not fall foul of legislation |
| the requirements of the installation section only, | | | | and the inevitable huge cost that will occur if you |
| whereas a company who designs and | | | | do not choose a BAFE accredited company. BAFE |
| commissions would register for the design and | | | | accredited companies give the assurance that you |
| commission modules. This way, the scheme is | | | | will be given the most professional advice and the |
| flexible and its integrity is not compromised. The | | | | highest standard of installation and service. |
| four modules are: | | | | A separate standard relates to portable fire |
| * Design | | | | extinguishers BAFE SP101 for Fire Extinguishers. |
| * Installation | | | | CIA are an NSI BAFE accredited fire alarm |
| * Commissioning | | | | installer who support over 30,000 systems and |
| * Maintenance | | | | have an unequalled reputation for quality and |
| When you are choosing a BAFE fire alarm | | | | service. Trust us for all of your security needs; |
| installation company, make sure that you check | | | | we can supply everything you will ever need to |
| that they are accredited for all of the modules. If | | | | protect your home and your business including |
| not, you could find yourself having to use as | | | | CCTV, Access Control, an MLA Locksmith |
| many as 4 different companies to meet your | | | | Service, you can even buy security products |
| insurance requirements and guarantee Fire Brigade | | | | online. This privately owned family company has |
| response. | | | | been trading since 1971 and has an unequalled |
| Legislation with regard to fire alarms will be | | | | reputation for quality, service and innovation. CIA |
| changing shortly. | | | | was the very first company to be awarded the |
| The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) is | | | | prestigious NSI NACOSS Gold Medal in recognition |
| introducing the need for a Unique Reference | | | | of outstanding performance in security |
| Number (URN) to be quoted whenever they are | | | | management. |
| requested to attend to a fire alarm activation. | | | | |