A new scheme, SP 205, for companies ‘large and small’ that provide life safety fire risk assessment (SP205), has been launched by BAFE, the independent registration body for companies that have achieved third party quality certification of their fire protection services.
BAFE says the scheme has been developed by ‘a group of industry experts’ to help each building’s ‘Responsible Person’ meet the requirements for fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. SP205 stipulates that assessing companies must posses both the required technical and quality management capabilities, while risk assessment personnel must ‘meet appropriate standards’. Delivered by UKAS-accredited certification bodies, SP205 is designed to give assurance to those commissioning fire risk assessments. BAFE points out that, under UK law, Duty Holders, or Responsible Persons for a building, must make a fire risk assessment ‘to clarify the fire precautions necessary to ensure the safety of staff, service users, and property’. It adds: “Users and specifiers have the reassurance that nearly 900 BAFE-registered fire alarm, portable extinguisher, and emergency lighting suppliers, meet UK standards, and are regularly audited.”
