BAFE schemes manager Chris Auger, left, with John Davidson, NSI head of field operations (systems) and NSI mascot Cash the Owl
The scheme, which was developed with the help of Ansul, Amerex, Nobel Fire Systems, NSI and BSI, was launched to raise standards in these areas and prevent kitchen fires from escalating quickly to uncontrollable proportions.
The certification – BAFE SP206 – is the culmination of two year’s work by the independent register of accredited fire safety service providers. Dr Jim Glockling of the FPA chairs the scheme.
Food and drink-related fires are the third most common cause of large fires, according to fire industry and insurance data. They also account for nearly 10% of all large loss fires.
“It has the potential to significantly reduce the risk to life and property.” John Davidson, head of field operations (systems), NSI
Restaurants and cafes account for 42% of all fires within the food and drink sector.
“Third-party certificated competence for contractors providing kitchen fire protection system works has been sadly missing in the UK, and something we felt was essential to address,” said Chris Auger, schemes manager at BAFE. “End users and procurement specialists should have access to demonstrably competent providers for kitchen fire protection systems.”
John Davidson, head of field operations (systems) at NSI, said: “Providers of kitchen fire protection systems who wish to provide robust evidence of competency to their clients, will be able to obtain independent third party approval certificated to the new BAFE SP206 scheme.
“NSI was delighted to be invited by BAFE over 18 months ago to help develop this ground-breaking scheme, a first in the UK fire market. In commercial property it has the undeniable potential to significantly reduce the risk to life associated with fire as well as protecting property from fire and associated consequential loss arising from poorly protected and unprotected kitchen environments.”
The BAFE Kitchen Fire Protection Systems (SP206) Scheme will be available for third-party certification assessment via NSI.
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