Fire safety specialists - at your service!
If you are looking for professional fire safety advice, members of the British Fire Consortium can help you meet and adhere to fire legislation, design and install residential and domestic sprinkler systems, maintain fire protection equipment, offer fire safety training and much more. This article provides a proper introduction to a network of real professionals.
The British Fire Consortium was launched in 1983 as a trade association of independent companies involved in fire protection. Originally established by the 17 founder members as a way of offering networking benefits to small and medium sized companies, membership today extends to both large and small operations. Members are primarily involved in the installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers, fire alarm and smoke detector systems, safety signage and associated equipment. The majority of members now also offer fire risk assessments, general fire consultancy and fire training. Today there are around 250 member companies spread across the UK
Key officers of the Consortium include the Chairman, Mr. Pat Pearl, the General Secretary, Mr. Roger Chamberlain and the Treasurer, Mr. Alan Price. Recently it has also been agreed to appoint technical specialists from within the membership for each of four “product” categories – Sprinklers/Dry Risers, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Alarms, and Consultancy/Risk Assessment. These individuals are available to dispense practical advice about their specialist subject to other members as required. Another membership resource is the Consortium’s recently redesigned website where both the discussion forum and live chat room can be used by members to exchange views and request and receive useful advice.
Another original objective of the Consortium’s founder members was for the views of member firms to be voiced during the consultation process of relevant British Standards. Subsequently there has always been representation by members on relevant British Standards Committees. As a member of BSI, the Consortium can also provide its own members with copies of all British Standards at greatly reduced prices. The BFC was also invited, as a fire trade association to comment on the DETR’s consultation document on the imminent Reform of Fire Safety Legislation.
Consortium member companies are third party accredited by a recognised certification body or periodically audited to ensure high technical standards and working practices. The Consortium recognises that these high standards are important to clients looking to follow the recommendations of the Code of Practice concerning the inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers (BS5306 Pt 3).
This Code stipulates that this work should be carried out by a “competent person” - defined as one who has participated on a training course run by a recognised body and subsequently passed an examination at the end which has been supervised by an independent body. Technicians working for BFC member companies achieve “competent person” status by successfully completing the Consortium’s own training course and BSI/BAFE approved examination, required as part of BFC membership.
The provision of high quality training to its members is a key role of the Consortium and a range of courses is offered in addition to the 4-day Extinguisher Technicians Servicing Course, which is also approved by BSI to comply with QSP/94001.
The Consortium also offers its members an Extinguisher Technician Servicing 3 year Refresher Course, the only Fire Hose Reel Course which includes an examination, a Fire Risk Assessment Course, a Fire Alarm Service Engineers Course and a Domestic/Residential Sprinkler Systems Design, Installation and Maintenance Course. There is also a Fire Warden course offered to members’ clients. All courses are held on a rota basis at centres in Widnes, Chesterfield and Corringham, Essex.
Each year one member company is rewarded with the Consortium’s Training Award which recognises excellence in training. Paul Creasey of Morgan Fire, a recent holder of this accolade explains why he thinks training is so important today: “Ongoing training is crucial in this industry. I have a monthly briefing with my engineers when we discuss new products and legislation and we have regular training sessions from manufacturers and fire officers on signage, new fire alarm technology and risk assessment.
This isn’t just so we don’t fall foul of trading standards and health and safety requirements, but equally to ensure our engineers have as much information as possible to enable us to do the best possible job for our customers. There are new types of equipment being developed all the time and it’s just not good enough these days to carry on servicing in the same old way!”
The growing trend towards the use of domestic and residential sprinkler systems led, last year, to the creation of the Consortium’s sister association, The British Fire Consortium Sprinkler Association (BFCSA). Members of the BFCSA anticipate an even stronger interest in the use of these systems since the publication of Code of Practice – BS 9251 - which sets out formal guidelines for sprinkler systems and which offers increased design scope to architects over property siting and internal layouts when sprinklers are fitted.
Examples of the reduction of existing safety restrictions in schemes where a sprinkler system is fitted include the relaxation of requirements for fire barriers between stairways and open plan areas, and the doubling of travelling distances between fire separation points. Specification of a sprinkler system will also now make possible the siting of properties where fire brigade access is difficult and may have restricted previous planning opportunities. The Standard also states that “the design and installation of any system should be entrusted to a suitably qualified and experienced sprinkler contractor”.
Members of the BFCSA who have benefited from the Consortium’s own unique two-day sprinkler training course are already enjoying the commercial benefits of this new trend. The Consortium believes its sprinkler course offers a distinct advantage over any others in the fire industry as it includes the supply of software which handles all the mathematical calculations required for the installation of a sprinkler system.
This aspect of an installation can be highly complicated due to the hydraulics involved and the need to balance system and tank calculations etc. The supplied software therefore provides essential support for the installing firm and presents the information in a professional manner.
British Fire Consortium members work closely with both local authorities and private commercial clients, and much of their business is specified by fire officers and building control departments.
The scope of work undertaken by members is also surprisingly diverse and in any one week might include projects as diverse as the installation of an automatic smoke detection system at a “House in Multiple Occupation”, fire warden training including a full blown evacuation practice at a large commercial premises, the installation of “wet chemical extinguishers” in a commercial kitchen or a call to service all the specialist portable extinguishers on a local airfield!
Leigh-Anderson Associates are retained by the British Fire Consortium to provide PR (Press Relations) services and marketing support on request. If you have an industry comment, potential case study or other news worthy event e.g. 10 year anniversary, local award etc please call David or Alison at LAA on 01579 321750 or email BFC@leighandersonassociates.com
The British Fire Consortium was launched in 1983 as a trade association of independent companies involved in fire protection. Originally established by the 17 founder members as a way of offering networking benefits to small and medium sized companies, membership today extends to both large and small operations. Members are primarily involved in the installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers, fire alarm and smoke detector systems, safety signage and associated equipment. The majority of members now also offer fire risk assessments, general fire consultancy and fire training. Today there are around 250 member companies spread across the UK
Key officers of the Consortium include the Chairman, Mr. Pat Pearl, the General Secretary, Mr. Roger Chamberlain and the Treasurer, Mr. Alan Price. Recently it has also been agreed to appoint technical specialists from within the membership for each of four “product” categories – Sprinklers/Dry Risers, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Alarms, and Consultancy/Risk Assessment. These individuals are available to dispense practical advice about their specialist subject to other members as required. Another membership resource is the Consortium’s recently redesigned website where both the discussion forum and live chat room can be used by members to exchange views and request and receive useful advice.
Another original objective of the Consortium’s founder members was for the views of member firms to be voiced during the consultation process of relevant British Standards. Subsequently there has always been representation by members on relevant British Standards Committees. As a member of BSI, the Consortium can also provide its own members with copies of all British Standards at greatly reduced prices. The BFC was also invited, as a fire trade association to comment on the DETR’s consultation document on the imminent Reform of Fire Safety Legislation.
Consortium member companies are third party accredited by a recognised certification body or periodically audited to ensure high technical standards and working practices. The Consortium recognises that these high standards are important to clients looking to follow the recommendations of the Code of Practice concerning the inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers (BS5306 Pt 3).
This Code stipulates that this work should be carried out by a “competent person” - defined as one who has participated on a training course run by a recognised body and subsequently passed an examination at the end which has been supervised by an independent body. Technicians working for BFC member companies achieve “competent person” status by successfully completing the Consortium’s own training course and BSI/BAFE approved examination, required as part of BFC membership.
The provision of high quality training to its members is a key role of the Consortium and a range of courses is offered in addition to the 4-day Extinguisher Technicians Servicing Course, which is also approved by BSI to comply with QSP/94001.
The Consortium also offers its members an Extinguisher Technician Servicing 3 year Refresher Course, the only Fire Hose Reel Course which includes an examination, a Fire Risk Assessment Course, a Fire Alarm Service Engineers Course and a Domestic/Residential Sprinkler Systems Design, Installation and Maintenance Course. There is also a Fire Warden course offered to members’ clients. All courses are held on a rota basis at centres in Widnes, Chesterfield and Corringham, Essex.
Each year one member company is rewarded with the Consortium’s Training Award which recognises excellence in training. Paul Creasey of Morgan Fire, a recent holder of this accolade explains why he thinks training is so important today: “Ongoing training is crucial in this industry. I have a monthly briefing with my engineers when we discuss new products and legislation and we have regular training sessions from manufacturers and fire officers on signage, new fire alarm technology and risk assessment.
This isn’t just so we don’t fall foul of trading standards and health and safety requirements, but equally to ensure our engineers have as much information as possible to enable us to do the best possible job for our customers. There are new types of equipment being developed all the time and it’s just not good enough these days to carry on servicing in the same old way!”
The growing trend towards the use of domestic and residential sprinkler systems led, last year, to the creation of the Consortium’s sister association, The British Fire Consortium Sprinkler Association (BFCSA). Members of the BFCSA anticipate an even stronger interest in the use of these systems since the publication of Code of Practice – BS 9251 - which sets out formal guidelines for sprinkler systems and which offers increased design scope to architects over property siting and internal layouts when sprinklers are fitted.
Examples of the reduction of existing safety restrictions in schemes where a sprinkler system is fitted include the relaxation of requirements for fire barriers between stairways and open plan areas, and the doubling of travelling distances between fire separation points. Specification of a sprinkler system will also now make possible the siting of properties where fire brigade access is difficult and may have restricted previous planning opportunities. The Standard also states that “the design and installation of any system should be entrusted to a suitably qualified and experienced sprinkler contractor”.
Members of the BFCSA who have benefited from the Consortium’s own unique two-day sprinkler training course are already enjoying the commercial benefits of this new trend. The Consortium believes its sprinkler course offers a distinct advantage over any others in the fire industry as it includes the supply of software which handles all the mathematical calculations required for the installation of a sprinkler system.
This aspect of an installation can be highly complicated due to the hydraulics involved and the need to balance system and tank calculations etc. The supplied software therefore provides essential support for the installing firm and presents the information in a professional manner.
British Fire Consortium members work closely with both local authorities and private commercial clients, and much of their business is specified by fire officers and building control departments.
The scope of work undertaken by members is also surprisingly diverse and in any one week might include projects as diverse as the installation of an automatic smoke detection system at a “House in Multiple Occupation”, fire warden training including a full blown evacuation practice at a large commercial premises, the installation of “wet chemical extinguishers” in a commercial kitchen or a call to service all the specialist portable extinguishers on a local airfield!
Leigh-Anderson Associates are retained by the British Fire Consortium to provide PR (Press Relations) services and marketing support on request. If you have an industry comment, potential case study or other news worthy event e.g. 10 year anniversary, local award etc please call David or Alison at LAA on 01579 321750 or email BFC@leighandersonassociates.com