Just a few months after joining Statera Energy Operations, Brent began work on gaining our BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) certification – specifically BAFE SP203-3, which relates to maintaining the fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems used in BESS containers. Brent wrote all the necessary operating and risk assessment procedures and updated our administration, documentation, and quality management systems to align with the required specifications.
The process was “quite a challenge,” Brent recalls. “I’d always worked for BAFE-registered companies. So, although I understood and followed BAFE standards myself, I’d never been involved in gaining the certification. I was doing it alone, too. Typically, that workload is divided among four or five people. Looking back, it was a big responsibility, but I had loads of support and encouragement from our MD and the rest of the company.”
It takes around five months to prepare for an assessment. Once everything was in place, Brent invited an official third-party assessor to evaluate the systems and processes. “We passed first time in July 2023 – and it was a big moment for the company and me personally,” he recalls.
Securing certification is the first step – it’s then a case of maintaining our BAFE certification. To do this, we must conduct electrical and mechanical testing of all fire suppression systems every six months. This includes panel testing, pipework inspections, cause-and-effect testing, and cylinder inspections. We must also maintain detailed documentation for each site, including service records, remedial action records, documented complaint procedures, and documented room integrity testing. Finally, we PAT test and calibrate all our tools and equipment each year to ensure they meet safety and performance standards.
“BAFE certification allows us to demonstrate an independent and unbiased assessment of our fire safety competency,” Brent explains. “It shows our processes and standards are on point.”
“Clients don’t have to take our word for it; they can see from the BAFE certification. It’s a powerful differentiator and sets us apart from other O&M service providers.”
Recommended by the government and fire and rescue services across the UK, BAFE certification helps our clients demonstrate that they have conducted their due diligence. “It shows they’ve made an informed decision when hiring an O&M service provider,” Brent adds. “It’s also useful information for clients to share with their insurer when negotiating policies or making a claim.”
He concludes: “BAFE certification is one of the many reasons we’ve built a reputation for high standards and a deep understanding of fire safety regs – and it’s why we often get asked to evaluate and assess BESS sites that we don’t own or manage, often by battery manufacturers themselves.”
If you want to find out more about how Statera Energy Operations can support your site, please get in touch with a member of the team.
Statera Energy Operations is a BAFE Registered Organisation. To learn more about BAFE certification, visit www.bafe.org.uk
