ECA Certification Ltd, part of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) group, can now offer contractors access to the BAFE SP203 Part 1 certification. This scheme is for contractors installing fire detection and alarm systems.
In recent times, BAFE quality scheme (SP203-1) registration for the fire market has been the preserve of four other certification bodies – the British Standards Institution (BSI), Independent European Certification (IEC), National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and the Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB). As of March 2012, ECA Certification Ltd provide an alternate route for contractors looking to achieve BAFE recognition. The ECA reports that many major organisations now require their contractors to be registered to the scheme and benefit from BAFE certificated systems.
BAFE is the registration body for the fire protection industry with more than 25 years experience which has developed a number of UKAS accredited certification programmes. ECA Certification Ltd can now offer the BAFE SP203-1 modular scheme for fire detection and alarms for those companies involved with system design, installation, commissioning and hand-over and maintenance. Organisations can be accredited in all modules or opt for just those relating to the work undertaken.
Chris Beedel, Certification Director for ECA, said: “There has always been scope within the fire regulation and certification market for another major player and one that has a lot of synergy with the electrical contractor community who can now look to diversify and take advantage of the many opportunities that exist within the fire market. The market is currently worth almost £1 billion, the lion share of which is spent on alarm and detection systems. There is almost a 50/50 split of project costs between design and installation with the majority of work being dedicated to the non-residential market (76 per cent) and almost 60pc of the work being focussed upon new buildings. With such and opportunity, there is room for our members to take commercial advantage which may in time help bring costs down for customers.”
Those taking the four modules will be looking at a minimum of two days of assessment, depending upon the size of the business, while those only looking at specific modules may cover their assessment in one day.
Stephen Adams, General Manager at BAFE, added: “We are delighted that ECA Certification Ltd have now gained their UKAS accreditation to bring this offering to market and we are confident that it will attract a lot of interest, increase competition and transparency and send a message to the sector that greater skills and accreditation equates to more business opportunities in the future – it is a win-win for the installers and the industry as a whole.” For ECA certification and registration enquires, email Sarah Fry, business development manager at ECA – [email protected].
