BAFE announce ground-breaking Kitchen Fire Protection Systems Scheme

BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have been developing BAFE SP206 over the last two years, a new third party certification scheme that covers the design, installation, commissioning, recharge and maintenance of kitchen fire suppression/extinguishing systems.

Fire industry/insurance data reveals food and drink related fires are statistically the third most likely cause of large fires, also accounting for nearly 10% of all large loss fires. Fires involving restaurants and cafes represent some 42% of all fires within the food and drink sector put together.

Chris Auger, Schemes Manager, stated: “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. End users and procurement specialists should have access to demonstrably competent providers for kitchen fire protection systems. We are delighted to officially announce the scheme at the Fire Safety North event.”

Developed with industry experts from Ansul, Amerex and Nobel Fire Systems, alongside Certification Bodies NSI and BSI, and chaired by Dr. Jim Glockling of the FPA, this scheme enhances the level of quality for these specific works to ensure a safer working kitchen environment but also to aid in the reduction of kitchen fires escalating to an uncontrollable and dangerous situation.