BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) News

In the upcoming weeks, further restrictions regarding COVID safety may be reduced or completely removed following assessments by Governments across the nation. This poses important steps for fire safety service providers/contractors, including reviewing their own COVID-19 safety policies in the interest of employee and client safety.  BAFE would like to offer the following guidance considering the removal or reduction of restrictions: Continue to exercise a risk-based approach prior to...

In the coming weeks, further restrictions regarding COVID safety may be reduced or completely removed following assessments by governments across the nation. This poses important steps for fire safety service providers/contractors, including reviewing COVID safety policies in the interest of employee and client safety. Tips to follow BAFE would like to offer the following guidance considering the removal or reduction of restrictions: Continue to exercise a risk-based approach before visiti...

On Monday 5th July 2021, the Building Safety Bill was published. In their press release, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh, and The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP state this “will create lasting generational change and set out a clear pathway for the future on how residential buildings should be constructed and maintained.” Building Safety Regulator The newly established Building Safety Regulator “will oversee the new regime and w...

On Monday 5th July 2021, the Building Safety Bill was published. In their press release, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh, and The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP state this “will create lasting generational change and set out a clear pathway for the future on how residential buildings should be constructed and maintained.” Building Safety Regulator The newly established Building Safety Regulator “will oversee the new regime and w...

Amthal has worked closely with innovative law firm Debenhams Ottaway to design and install fire and security solutions for its commercial offices, and present ultimate site protection for its staff and visitors. Debenhams Ottaway is a multi-service law firm known for delivering outstanding client service and award-winning legal advice. They work with successful individuals, families, and businesses in Hertfordshire, London, and across the UK, helping them make the most of new possibilities or d...

BAFE Registered Company, Bryland Fire Protection, designed and installed fire detection and gaseous fire suppression systems to safeguard the 10MW data center. Bryland announced their completion of a 2-year multi-million-pound project designing and installing fire protection systems for a new 10MW data center. gaseous suppression system In news from Bryland, Graham Turner, Managing Director - Bryland Fire Protection, explained "As this client specializes in providing telecommunications, prote...

Bryland announced their completion of a 2-year multi-million-pound project designing and installing fire protection systems for a new 10MW data center. In news from Bryland, Graham Turner, Managing Director - Bryland Fire Protection, explained “As this client specializes in providing telecommunications, protecting ‘uptime’ which is the number of time servers stay operational, was critical." gaseous suppression system "Water sprinklers may be one of the most economical soluti...

Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, joins Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). BAFE is proud to announce that Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, has accepted an invitation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be a member of the Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). The committee has been established to act in an advisory position which will support the HSE’s Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The committee will aid in developing new regulatory measures regarding l...

BAFE are proud to announce that Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, has accepted an invitation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be a member of the Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). The committee has been established to act in an advisory position, which will support the HSE’s Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The committee will aid in developing new regulatory measures regarding life safety within the new and current built environment. Chris Auger joins Interim Indu...

BAFE statement on the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire. BAFE would like to recognize the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire and pay respects to all the people who lost loved ones and their homes because of this event.   Regrettably, the fire highlighted multiple areas where substantial change is required to maintain a safe environment for people in their homes. BAFE has strong objectives to be part of this positive change to improve the fire safety arena and will c...

The Home Office on Monday (07/06/2021) has published an update regarding guidance covering fire safety in purpose-build blocks of flats. The Home Office states that “This document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age. Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found issues in blocks of flats, with sug...

The UK Government has launched on 8 June 2021 a new consultation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (‘PEEPs’) in high-rise residential buildings, which seeks views on implementing the relevant Grenfell Inquiry’s recommendations. The consultation will be open for a period of six weeks, from 8th June to 19th July 2021. Raise awareness of the new consultation Alongside the consultation, the Home Office are also holding workshops They would like to encourage everyone to res...

The UK Home Office on Monday (07/06/2021) published an update regarding guidance covering fire safety in purpose-build blocks of flats. The UK Home Office states that ‘this document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age’. how to assess fire risk Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found i...

Entries are now open for the new Fire and Security Matters Awards organized by Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters magazines – both of which are published by Western Business Media – and are supported by BAFE.   The Fire and Security Matters Awards are free to enter and recognize excellence and innovation in the fire and security sectors. The winners of the Fire and Security Matters Awards will be revealed at a gala dinner and ceremony to be held at the Ricoh Arena in Cov...

BAFE is sad to hear of the passing of Paul Fuller CBE, former Fire Sector Federation Chairman. Paul Fuller died on Monday 7th June 2021. Paul’s contribution Dennis Davis, Executive Officer of the Fire Sector Federation, states “Paul, who was serving as Chief Fire Officer Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Chief Executive Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, died early this morning in hospital whilst receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed illness.” BAF...

On 27/05/2021, the Department for Education opened their consultation on Building Bulletin 100 (BB100). This document is described by the Department as “Non-statutory guidance on fire safety for schools. The guidance covers designing a school building so that pupils and staff will have early warning if a fire breaks out and can evacuate quickly and safely. BB100 advises how to minimize the spread of fire and how to ensure the building structure is adequately resistant to fire. It also inc...

On May 27, 2021, the Department for Education opened its consultation on Building Bulletin 100 (BB100). This document is described by the Department as “non-statutory guidance on fire safety for schools.” “The guidance covers designing a school building so that pupils and staff will have early warning if a fire breaks out and can evacuate quickly and safely. BB100 advises how to minimize the spread of fire and how to ensure the building structure is adequately resistant to fir...

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recently launched its Small Organisations Newsletter - SME Newsletter. The NCSC notes “SMEs cover a huge range of businesses and makeup 99% of all business in the UK." cyber-related issues The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) adds, "Often SMEs do not have the budget of large organizations to spend on cyber security. This Newsletter aims to break down cyber-related issues into bitesize pieces which can be read in a coffee break." The NC...

The Grenfell Inquiry discussed the status of regulation within the professional fire risk assessment service market. This adds to the larger issue of the current landscape of fire safety and the ability of organizations to fulfil specific tasks to a competent standard. Module 3 Opening Statements In the Module 3 Opening Statements (29/03/2021) James Maxwell-Scott QC for RBKC (Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea) highlighted that “Industry practice is likely also to be relevant to...

A report by David Wales, funded and supported by IFEDA (Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association), has been published discussing fire extinguishers (released 30/03/2021). The report, an evaluation of the role of fire extinguishers, 'was produced to provide an evidence-based assessment of the role of portable fire extinguishers within dwellings'. This includes private dwellings and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupations). FRS response time Within this document, it is reported...

A report by David Wales, funded and supported by IFEDA (Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association), has been published discussing fire extinguishers (released 30/03/2021). The report, an evaluation of the role of fire extinguishers, “was produced with the aim of providing an evidence-based assessment of the role of portable fire extinguishers within dwellings.” This includes private dwellings and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation). Within this document, it is re...

Recently, BAFE published information discussing the roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions and that this should prompt reviews on fire safety.  Within this, BAFE reassured that fire safety service providers continue to operate as safely as possible following appropriate COVID-19 guidance to help clients meet their obligations. free rapid lateral flow tests The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has distributed important information that the Government is providing free rapid lateral f...

Roadmap to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions should prompt reviews on building fire safety. Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the Government roadmap “to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions”. Step two of this roadmap, to occur no earlier than 12th April, notes the return of mass non-essential businesses opening for customers. BAFE must stress once again that fire safety obligations continue as normal. What is important about this roadmap is that buildings opening soon contin...

CLC launches 'industry mega-poll to track the impact of PI insurance crisis'. Companies from across the industry are being asked to take part in the biggest-ever review of construction’s growing professional indemnity insurance crisis. In recent years, firms from across the industry have reported sharp increases in premiums for PI insurance, while also seeing stricter curbs on the levels of cover. Some firms have reported four-fold increases in policy costs, while others have said that th...

This appointment will be responsible for establishing and pioneering the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the appointment of a Chief Inspector of Buildings to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Peter Baker, HSE’s current Director of Building Safety and Construction, will take up the post with immediate effect. The government asked HSE to establish a new building safety regulator in the wake of the...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the FIA (Fire Industry Association) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual was established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry.  FireQual is pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQAA) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety with the initial offering...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual was established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. FireQual’s development FireQual is pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQAA) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety w...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the FIA (Fire Industry Association) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual has been established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. They are pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQA Accreditation) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety with the initial o...

At the beginning of the current lockdown period, BAFE published news that new national lockdown restrictions categorically did not restrict fire safety work. Fire safety personnel continue to remain “key workers” and continuing this work is outlined as acceptable in national lockdown guidance by Government. "You may only leave your home for work if you cannot reasonably work from home, to help reduce the spread of the virus and protect others. If you cannot work from home you should...

For anyone who is not aware and is responsible for fire extinguishers within their building, there has been a change for class D Powder extinguishers (which are used for metal fires). This change has been introduced with BS 5306-10:2019, published 31/10/2020, and supersedes BS 7863:2009 (which is withdrawn). clearer differentiation Guidance published in December 2020 by FIA (Fire Industry Association), states, “The major change is the color-code for class D Powder extinguishers (fo...