Do You Need a BAFE-Accredited Provider to Install Your Emergency Lighting System?
If you’re looking to install an emergency lighting system at your business and need some clarity on how to get the job done properly, we’ve got the answers. In the next few minutes, you’ll learn who to put your faith in to install your new system, and how we can help here at Midland Fire Security Services Ltd.
You may be wondering if you should call a general electrician or a BAFE-accredited provider to install your emergency lighting (or even what BAFE-accreditation really means), and you wouldn’t be the first. Our response is simple. Choosing a provider with BAFE accreditation is crucial if you want a system that’s as safe and compliant as it can be.
Now, let’s explore why.
What is BAFE Accreditation?
It’s a legal requirement for all commercial properties to be equipped with a properly maintained emergency lighting system, and the ultimate responsibility for the effectiveness of that system lies with you or the people responsible for your premises management. That’s why it’s important that you choose a BAFE-accredited fire safety provider like Midland Fire that can help you fulfil your legal obligations.
BAFE is an independent organisation that holds a register of all the fire safety companies in the UK that they’ve assessed as competent in specific areas.
The BAFE SP203-4 scheme covers emergency lighting systems and provides evidence of competency for their design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. If a service provider is on the BAFE register for any of these areas, it means they meet best practice and adhere to British Standards BS 5266-1 and BS 7671.
You can use the BAFE fire safety register to find or verify a BAFE emergency lighting system registered provider, third party certificated to the BAFE SP203-4 scheme in the specific areas that you require – design, installation, commissioning or maintenance.
Electrician VS. BAFE-Accredited Provider: Which Should You Choose?
An emergency lighting system is a key piece of fire safety equipment that allows staff and customers to safely evacuate your building and has the power to save lives. While any qualified electrician may be able to fit one adequately, they lack the knowledge to design a complex and fully compliant emergency lighting system that keeps people safe in the event of a fire.
Here’s what a BAFE-accredited provider can offer than an electrician can’t:
- System design for compliance and legal obligations.
- Assessment of emergency lighting provision based on your business activity.
- Risk-based placement strategy.
- Integration of lighting systems with fire alarms & safety systems.
- Fire risk assessment.
- Ongoing maintenance, servicing and testing.
- The necessary documentation to pass fire safety inspections.
The Rules As Set By BS 5266-1
The British Standard BS 5266-1 is the official rulebook for emergency lighting systems in commercial and public buildings across the UK. Here’s a look at some of the key requirements that all systems must follow by law:
- All emergency routes (corridors, stairwells, etc.) and exits must be clearly illuminated by escape route lighting in the case of normal lighting failure.
- Emergency lighting must be able to function and provide light for at least three hours following mains power failure.
- Lighting placement and system design must be tailored to the building’s structure, hazards and occupancy risks.
- Emergency lighting must provide at least 1 lux (light level intensity) in escape routes and 0.5 lux in open areas.
- Emergency lighting must be tested both monthly and annually, and the results must be recorded for compliance audits.
Why Choose a BAFE-Accredited Provider?
Do those requirements sound like a lot to take in? That’s exactly why it’s highly recommended to go for a BAFE-accredited provider – you can be confident that they’re trained to know the rules off by heart.
Providers on the BAFE register are audited annually to ensure continuous high standards and to have their expertise verified. Opting for a less qualified (and often cheaper) engineer could mean non-compliance and increased risk of system failure, leading to expensive corrections and, worse, the compromised safety of your staff.
To sum up – choosing a BAFE-accredited provider like Midland Fire gives you peace of mind that your emergency lighting system is not only compliant but also highly reliable in the event of an emergency.
How Can Midland Fire Help?
We’re a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor, specialising in emergency light installation and maintenance. If you choose an accredited specialist like us, you can be sure that your emergency lighting system is fully compliant and will keep your staff and customers safe. Our approachable team of engineers has extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes across all areas of fire safety. Have a look at our full range of services here.
25 years of experience
We’ve been protecting people and businesses since 1999.
Expert engineers
Each of our 30 engineers is a time served electrician and a fully qualified fire alarm engineer.
Full support from start to finish
We’ll effectively manage each stage of your project from consultation and design to installation, certification and maintenance.
Quality products
Midland Fire only supplies products from reputable brands that we know will future proof your business.
Emergency Lighting System Installation from Midland Fire
Whether your business premises is a small office, a large industrial warehouse, a school or a listed building you can trust Midland Fire to provide a cost effective emergency lighting system bespoke to you. We are fully BAFE-accredited for emergency lighting design, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
We’re also an authorised SmartScan installer and can provide fire risk assessments helping us design effective emergency lighting systems to meet your legal obligations.
At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. So whatever service you need, contact us today.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a general electrician and a BAFE-accredited provider?
While electricians can handle basic installations, BAFE-accredited providers are able to design systems that are fully compliant with current fire safety regulations. They are specially trained to design, install and maintain fire safety systems to ensure proper protection and legal compliance.
How often should emergency lighting systems be tested?
BS 5266-1 requires monthly visual checks and short functional tests, plus an annual full-duration test by a qualified professional to ensure compliance and reliability in an emergency.
What happens if my emergency lighting system isn’t compliant?
Non-compliance can lead to fines and legal consequences, as well as increased safety risks. It could mean a higher chance of system failure and expensive corrections needed to be made to your systems later down the line.
