Tender Summary: Service to Refill Fire Extinguishers

Objectives

To secure a compliant, efficient, and safety-focused service provider for the annual maintenance and refilling of fire extinguishers at Mvutshini Clinic, ensuring full regulatory adherence, operational readiness, and documented accountability for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.

Scope of Work

A one-off contract covering the inspection, servicing, and refilling of eight (8) fire extinguishers and one fire hose reel. Key deliverables include:

• Inspection, repair, and replacement of damaged cylinders, hose nozzles, pressure gauges, and tamper seals.
• Complete re-pressurisation and refilling of all extinguishers.
• Removal of outdated labels and application of compliant stickers indicating service date, next service due date, and practitioner registration details.
• Creation, completion, and handover of a formal fire equipment register alongside detailed after-service reports and service schedules.
• Execution of all works within one working week of project commencement.

Technical Requirements

• All services must strictly comply with SANS 1475 (maintenance of portable fire extinguishers).
• Materials and spare parts must be SABS/SANS approved and explicitly recommended by registered manufacturers.
• Warranty periods: Six months for serviced units; twelve months for newly replaced components.
• Full adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and national building regulations.
• Payment is strictly conditional upon submission of stamped job cards, completed service schedules, after-service reports, site handover and completion certificates, tax invoices, contractor liability forms, and qualification proofs.
• Evaluation utilises an 80/20 preference point system. The top three scoring bidders may be required to submit physical samples for independent quality verification.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Bidders must hold active CIDB certification SF-01 (fire protection engineering services).
• Proof of company registration compliant with SANS 1475 is mandatory.
• All field operations must be performed by qualified, certified artisans and technicians registered with SAQCC Fire.
• A competent safety representative must be present on-site at all times, supported by a current, auditable safety file.
• Contractors must provide proof of workman’s compensation registration and commit to utilising local unskilled labour where operationally feasible.

Key Terms and Clarifications

• SANS 1475: The South African National Standard prescribing mandatory procedures for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
• SAQCC Fire: A nationally accredited certification body that validates the competency, training, and registration of fire protection practitioners in South Africa.
• CIDB SF-01: A Construction Industry Development Board grading classification specifically for contractors specialising in fire protection engineering, installation, and maintenance.
• 80/20 Preference System: A public procurement scoring framework where 80% of evaluation weight is allocated to price competitiveness and 20% to socio-economic transformation targets (specifically, 100% Black African ownership in this tender).
• Sample Submission Protocol: A post-evaluation step where highest-ranked bidders may be requested to provide physical product samples via official communication channels for specification and quality verification before final contract award.