BAFE to introduce competence scheme for emergency lighting installation

BAFE is to introduce a new scheme to demonstrate the competence of companies operating in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency lighting systems.

The scheme is currently out for public comment, with a deadline of 30 September 2009. BAFE hopes to launch the scheme in the last quarter of 2009.

The emergency lighting scheme will be incorporated within the SP203 series which already offers two system application modules:

• SP203-1: Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
• SP203-3: Fixed Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems.

The new SP203-4 will continue with the modular framework that has proved popular in SP203, allowing companies the flexibility to select some or all of the modules according to their specific area of expertise. This reflects the way in which the majority of fire detection systems are designed, installed, commissioned and maintained.

Tony Maskens, BAFE’s technical schemes manager, comments: “The SP203 series was reviewed last year, simplifying the scheme by separating out the different elements involved in a fire detection and suppression system into their own distinct modules.

“Emergency lighting has thus far not been covered but we recognised that it should be and have therefore been working to address this. As with other products, systems and services involved in life safety, client companies, insurers and regulatory authorities are looking for ways in which companies can unequivocally demonstrate they are competent to carry out the work that they do.

“BAFE Third party certification is the most robust way of achieving this and will now be available to companies involved in emergency lighting for industrial and commercial premises.”