The market for fire detection and suppression equipment is large, global and diverse.

It encompasses many manufacturers and products in multiple regulatory jurisdictions. UK manufacturers, for example, will often strive to sell their products beyond their own borders into Europe and further afield, including to the Middle East, south-east Asia and Australia.

In terms of regulations, this means each manufacturer must deal with a multitude of different standards, according to the nature of their products and where they intend to market and sell them.

Keeping abreast of, and complying with, changing regulations in the UK, EU and across the world forces both large and small manufacturers in the fire industry to divert time, energy and resources away from their core activities.

Complying with regulations can cost companies large sums of money or, worse, block their access to important markets if they fail to do so.

But there is also a positive side to regulations. They are a necessary fact of commercial life, ensuring minimum quality standards, product safety and fair competition.

Ultimately, many manufacturers will be well advised to comply with the relevant regulations for each product in any given market and take advantage of their ability to comply fully and efficiently to grow their business profitably.

Help for manufacturers is at hand in the form of standards.

How do management system standards help organizations in the fire sector?

Management system standards can provide the tools to help clear the regulatory hurdles required to enter new markets.

Compliance opens up opportunities for manufacturers in European and international markets, potentially boosting revenue, profit and brand reputation. Health and safety and environmental management systems give companies the framework to help them meet their legal requirements and support tender opportunities.

Key management system standards

Health & Safety Management System

To ensure a safe and healthy workplace – and compliance with the law – fire industry manufacturers need a robust system to identify hazards, estimate risks and put in place appropriate measures to reduce or mitigate them.

BS EN ISO 45001 helps manufacturers to manage these risks by specifying requirements for an effective health and safety management system. It takes a risk-based approach – enabling organizations to decide what they need by reviewing their risks and evaluating the effectiveness of current controls. It enables manufacturers of fire protection and suppression equipment to develop and implement a policy and objectives that include both legal requirements and information they collate about occupational health and safety risks.

To read more on the topic of health and safety in the fire industry, click here.

Quality Management System

BS EN ISO 9001 is the internationally recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard that can benefit organizations of any size in the fire sector. Designed to be a powerful business improvement tool, BS EN ISO 9001 Quality management systems can help you to:

• Continually improve, streamline operations and reduce costs

• Win more business and compete in tenders

• Satisfy more customers

• Be more resilient and build a sustainable business

• Show you have strong corporate governance

• Work effectively with stakeholders and your supply chain

Environmental Management System

There are multiple legal requirements for fire industry manufacturers in relation to their use of water, raw materials and energy, their creation of pollution and emissions, and their waste management procedures. The management of hazardous materials, covered by the REACH regulations, is particularly relevant.

Manufacturers in the Fire sector must stay up to date with environmental legislation and remain compliant, as breaches can lead to fines and prosecution. Implementing and maintaining a system based on BS EN ISO 14001 enables them to take account of legal requirements. It is designed to help businesses remain commercially successful but also to grow, without overlooking their environmental responsibilities.

A BS EN ISO 14001 system provides the framework for fire industry manufacturers to meet increasingly high legal and regulatory requirements as well as customer expectations of corporate responsibility.

Ensure your business complies with industry regulations by adding these key management system standards to your collection today.

Discover BSI Knowledge

Want to access and manage the standards you need to support your management of fire safety risks - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the key standards you need in order to work with confidence and comply to fire safety regulations. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM08 Fire, Accident & Crime Protection module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.