BAFE, the register of fire safety service providers, has released a video promoting third party certification. You can view either on the BAFE website or BAFE YouTube Channel has been created to act as an educational tool for an end user audience.
After the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017 and the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety by Dame Judith Hackitt, there has been an increased focus acting on fire safety responsibilities ‘so far as reasonably practicable’, BAFE says. This emphasises the responsibility of the person appointed for fire safety within a building and actions they can take to minimise fire risk to the best of their ability in accordance with national fire safety legislation and Government guidance.
Frazer Wisniewski, BAFE Marketing Manager, says: “With the growing attention the fire industry has been understandably receiving, it is important to educate this wider audience on the importance of third party certification. With a greater understanding, we aim to help drive demand for third party certificated fire safety service providers. Until there is a clear legislative definition of competency for these specific services, we believe that UKAS accredited third party certification is the best independent evidence of competency within the fire safety industry.”
Stephen Adams, BAFE Chief Executive, adds: “First and foremost we encourage people to specify UKAS Accredited Third Party Certificated providers in the interest of life safety. We anticipate a much stronger emphasis on competency by Government and the Fire and Rescue Services in the future landscape and Third Party Certification will be a key element of this.”
Third party certificated companies must complete regular assessments to ensure they can suitably perform specific services. By specifying this certification as a requirement demonstrates you have taken constructive action to find a competent provider, BAFE adds.
To view the video and for more on certification visit www.bafe.org.uk/what-is-third-party-certification.
