Third Party Certification is the main criteria for membership of the FIA, and many member companies achieve this via BAFE. In order to further promote registered companies BAFE is working to ensure that tenders for fire safety contracts require Third Party Certification (TPC). This hard work from BAFE has led to its scheme membership growing to 1,111, an increase of 130 since last year. This growth of over 10% continues the trend from previous years which has seen a doubling in size since 2009. BAFE’s work on tenders along with an increased company profile will ensure that this steady growth should continue.

The BAFE fire risk assessment scheme (SP205) has grown steadily during the year and there has been significant promotion to end users to ensure that they use competent providers. BAFE has also seen  growth in numbers of Extinguisher Technicians with 219 ‘starters’ during the year bringing the total registered to 1,154 plus the strong upsurge in demand for the BAFE exam further reinforces the fact that the market demand for competent technicians and companies continues to grow.
The SP203-1 scheme for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems has shown exceptional growth over the last year. In addition the scheme documents for Emergency Lighting (SP203-4) and for Fixed Gaseous Suppression Systems (SP203-3) have both been revised and approved during 2013.

BAFE also has confirmed that Douglas Barnett has taken over as BAFE Chairman, replacing Phil Toase who has performed an excellent job for BAFE during over 9 years of his Chairmanship. Douglas comes from an insurance background and is a Specialist Member of the Institute of Risk Management and holds the European Diploma in Fire Safety Management.