Fire Extinguishers – BAFE Scheme SP101

Portable fire extinguishers are a crucial safety provision, often undervalued until a fire incident occurs—at which point they are one of the first tools people reach for to control a small, manageable fire.

Legal Requirements for Fire Safety Equipment

In all non-domestic and commercial premises, it is a legal obligation to provide suitable fire-fighting equipment, such as portable fire extinguishers, where appropriate. Beyond their presence, it is essential that extinguishers are properly maintained to ensure they are ready for use at all times.

Importance of Demonstrating Due Diligence

If you are the appointed Responsible Person or Duty Holder for fire safety in your building, it is vital to show that you have acted with due diligence in selecting a competent provider for the sourcing, commissioning, siting, servicing, and maintenance of fire extinguishers.

To meet this responsibility, SSAIB offers independent third-party certification to the BAFE SP101 Scheme.

What is the BAFE SP101 Scheme?

The BAFE SP101 Scheme is a nationally recognised competency framework developed by BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment). It is designed to assess and verify the competence of organisations and their employed technicians in delivering portable fire extinguisher services.

Certification to the BAFE SP101 Scheme confirms that:

• The organisation operates an effective management system.
• Fire extinguisher technicians are trained, competent, and regularly assessed.
• All aspects of the service lifecycle—sourcing, commissioning, siting, maintenance, and servicing—are delivered to a high standard.
• SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) is an accredited certification body approved to deliver assessments and certification under the BAFE SP101 Scheme. By achieving SSAIB certification to this scheme, organisations demonstrate not only compliance with UK fire safety regulations but also a commitment to quality and competence in fire protection services.