New BAFSA fire sprinklers qualification receives Ofqual approval

This new BAFSA qualification relates to the inspection and commissioning of commercial fire sprinkler systems design in accordance with the LPC Rules including BS EN 12845.

Those taking the course will gain the knowledge and skills required to determine sprinkler design in relation to storage configurations, inspection of the system during and at the end of the installation process and commissioning of the system as well as an understanding of the required ongoing maintenance of the system.

BAFSA CEO Ali Perry commented: “I would like to congratulate BAFSA’s Ruth Oliver and Alan Crichton and our partners at ABBE for achieving this milestone in BAFAS’s ongoing commitment to further enhance the competence of those working within our industry.”

Perry added: “We will continue to work on delivering approved qualifications for the suite of new courses BAFSA is currently developing.”

The new qualification is one part of the requirement for applications for the industry skill card for Fire Sprinkler Engineers (ie the Blue Skilled Worker card).

*Further information is available online at www.bafsa.org.uk/booking/

BAFSA commends Cheshire Fire Authority

BAFSA has applauded Cheshire Fire Authority’s recent investment of £36,000 in sprinklers to help protect a newly renovated block of flats in Warrington. 

To date, Cheshire Fire Authority has invested upwards of £200,000 in retrofitting sprinklers in high-rise blocks across the county. This most recent project is the eighteenth building to have been protected from fire.

The eight-storey Kingsway House on Kingsway South in Latchford was officially re-opened on 8 March in the wake of an extensive £6.3 million refurbishment project managed by Torus Group. The installation of the sprinkler system in the building will protect its 53 homes – and the many people that will live there – from fire.

“It’s fantastic to see such proactive work by Cheshire Fire Authority to complement the operational service they already provide to the community,” enthused Ali Perry. “This forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly save lives in the future.”

Dispel the myth

Steve McCormick, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s head of prevention and protection, explained: “We’re encouraging decision-makers to consider fitting sprinkler systems in all new build projects, as well as retrospectively fit these systems in older premises. We want to dispel the myth that sprinklers are hugely expensive. The cost of installation and the benefits they bring far outweigh the cost of building destruction and, what’s more, the potential loss of life and livelihoods caused by fire.”

Councillor Stef Nelson, chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, added: “We’ve all seen the total devastation that a fire in a tower block can cause and we’re fully committed to working with our social housing partners to provide the best possible protection for residents.”

BAFSA afforded its support to South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service’s retrofitting of sprinklers at the Callow Mount high-rise block back in 2011. A report was subsequently compiled on the project outlining the fact that retrofitting sprinklers is not cost-prohibitive or disruptive to residents.