About Us - Accreditations
NSI
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has been the UK's leading inspectorate for the security industry for over thirty years. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, NSI is the champion of high standards across the security and fire industries. Companies achieving approval through NSI must comply with relevant British and European Standards as well as meeting the requirements of the police, fire authorities and the insurance industry.
NSI was established in 2001 from the merger of the security industry's two leading inspectorates, the National Approval Council for Security Systems (NACOSS) and the Inspectorate of the Security Industry (ISI). The objective was to create a unified inspectorate covering all elements of the security industry with the goal of creating a one-stop-shop, which would greatly benefit users and suppliers of security services.
Chris Lewis Fire & Security are proud to have achieved the most esteemed NSI approval level - the Gold Standard NSI accreditation, which includes the ISO 9000 Quality Management System.
SSAIB
The Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board was established to promote and encourage high standards and ethics in the security industry, and to endeavour to procure the protection of purchasers, hirers and users of security services and systems.
The Inspection Board publishes a Roll of recognised firms meeting its Criteria for Recognition. Compliance with the Inspection Boards Criteria is enforced by an inspection regime which requires each recognised firm to be inspected at least once per annum.
ECA
The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) was founded in 1901. Its member firms range from local employers with only a few employees to national multi-service companies with many branches employing thousands of personnel - many operating worldwide. ECA members employ over 30,000 people and support 8,000 apprentices in their craft training. They dominate this sector in the UK with a collective annual turnover approaching £4.5 billion per annum. From plugs to power stations, from fibre optics to factories, the ECA represents the best in all sectors of the industry.
"The ECA is dedicated to maintaining and improving industry standards by discussion and representation." David R. J. Pollock Director, ECA
Investors in People
Investors in People is the national Standard which sets out a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals. The Standard was developed during 1990 by the National Training Task Force in partnership with leading national businesses, personnel, professional and employee organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD).
The Standard provides a national framework for improving business performance and competitiveness, through a planned approach to setting and communicating business objectives and developing people to meet these objectives. The result is - what people can and are motivated to do matches what the organisation needs them to do. Investors in People is cyclical and should engender the culture of continuous improvement.
British Fire Protection Systems Association (BFPSA)
The British Fire Protection Systems Association is the trade association of manufacturers and installers of fire alarm and fixed extinguishing systems. It is recognised as the co-ordinating body for the UK fire systems industry and is the leading trade association in its field in Europe.
The Association was formed in 1966 from the need to bring together a growing industry with a common focus. Its success in addressing the issues such as standards and regulation has proved to be beneficial not just to the member companies but to the wider industry and the safety of the general public.
British Approval for Fire Equipment (BAFE)
BAFE was established in 1984. It is a non-profit making organisation and operates independent third party schemes of approval for fire protection systems and services.
Choosing fire protection from a BAFE Registered Firm ensures that its products and services conform to recognised standards. Where relevant an independent third party certificate of conformance is issued that can be used as part of a statutory defence in law, should the necessity arise.
Fire Protection Association (FPA)
The Fire Protection Association is the UK's national fire safety organisation, one of 28 similar national bodies worldwide. It was established in 1946 and has strong support from the insurance industry, primarily through the Association of British Insurers and Lloyd’s.
The FPA's mandate is:
- to protect people, property and the environment by advancing fire prevention and protection techniques
- to collaborate with its members, insurers, central and local government, the fire service and others in this work
- to help focus national and international attention on such issues
- to influence related decision-making of individual consumers and businesses
- to collect, analyse and publish statistics, identify trends and promote research
- to publish guidance, recommendations and codes of practice
- to disseminate advice.
Introduction : Environmental Policy : Engineers' Charter : Administration Charter : Accreditations