SEMA Approved Installation Companies Pass Scrutiny

SEMA Approved Installation Companies (SAICs) have followed in the footsteps of SEMA Distributor Companies (SDCs) in offering up their businesses to an in-depth quality audit. The programme commissioned by the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA) was conducted by Wayne Wiggins, auditor for external quality assurance company QCS International.

The audit is a brand-new SEMA initiative and designed to inject further rigour into SEMA group membership criteria. Outcomes are very positive and it’s encouraging to learn that 23% of companies achieved a Highly Commended score of 90% or above. The scores follow similar pattern to the SDCs who, in 2017, doubled their grades to 61% of Highly Commended scores by working towards a three-year programme of continuous improvement.

The SAIC audit is designed to be a measure of the company’s ability to meet customer requirements and deliver a quality service. As such, SEMA asks QCS to look at the general business management such as policies, procedures, insurance and legal compliance as well as the internal processes for capturing the customers’ requirements and how that information translates into service delivery by ensuring that installers have the appropriate competence (i.e. skills, qualifications, training, experience and operating licences etc). Other elements specific to Health & Safety are also examined such as accident reporting procedures, risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) and any records of toolbox talks.

The audit comprised 26 compulsory questions and three non-compulsory questions which whilst not considered as fundamental elements, still form part of the scored assessment and are included to add value and opportunity for improvement. Each member will re-audited after three years. The audit criteria are in the process of being refreshed in order to deliver greater rigour which will embrace more elements of the installation process.

Lionel Drage, Chairman of the SAIC group said: “SEMA is actively working to improve the professionalism of storage equipment installation companies through the SAIC group. These companies are regulated and were audited by SEMA to ensure that the correct installation standards are met.

“To be accepted into the scheme, SAIC companies must demonstrate a high level of commitment to SEMA quality and safety standards and the industry codes of practice. They must also demonstrate a firm commitment to the SEIRS safety initiatives, have at least one SEIRS registered supervisor on the team and all their permanent staff must hold valid SEIRS ID cards.

“This QA standard is intended to demonstrate that these members are committed to first class performance in both safety and quality throughout the installation from planning through to completion. The audit proves that SAIC businesses should be your first choice when looking for a storage equipment installation company.

“Just by making this selection you could be reducing the risk of a potential racking collapse from poor installation or injury/fatality from inadequate safety standards.”

There are currently 14 approved companies operating throughout the UK and a full list of members appears on the SEMA website

SAIC QA Checklist

End users are recommended to use the SAIC QA checklist as a guide when purchasing storage systems.