The Kitemark for the Service & Maintenance of Dry and Wet Risers / Falling Installations

Anyone certified by BSI under the BAFE SP105 scheme will also qualify for the Kitemark.

This means they’ll be able to use both the BAFE logo and the Kitemark when promoting their services.

In common with other BAFE schemes, SP105 exists to ensure that companies in the fire safety and protection industry are competent and fit for purpose. In particular, it covers companies that provide:

• Dry riser servicing/maintenance — the servicing and maintenance of vertical pipes installed in a building that is normally empty (dry) but capable of being filled with water and used by the emergency services for fire-fighting purposes
• Wet riser servicing/maintenance — the servicing and maintenance of vertical pipes that are permanently filled with water and can be connected (via landing valves at specific points) to hoses used by the fire service.

BSI assesses these companies against several British Standards, including BS 9990, the code of practice for non-automatic fire-fighting systems in buildings, and BS 5041 (fire hydrant systems equipment).

No, ISO 9001 is not a pre-requisite for this BAFE and Kitemark scheme. However, a robust quality management system is. What this means in practice is that you’ll need to meet many of the requirements of international standards for quality management. These include (but are not limited to):

• Documentation of organisational roles, responsibilities and authorities (management structure)
• Documentation of quality objectives and plans to achieve them
• Procedures to deal with complaints and non-conformities
• Procedures to determine that key personnel have the skills to meet the objectives of customers
• Procedures to control the quality of externally provided processes, products and services, including those provided by subcontractors.

At least once a year, in line with BAFE requirements and good Kitemark practice.

• A dual award — a BAFE certificate and the Kitemark certificate
• Reduced risks — regular surveillance checks
• Competitive advantage — the licence to use the world-renowned Kitemark symbol