The UK’s first fire door installation training qualification is launched
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has launched in partnership with the NPTC Group of Colleges, a new qualification specifically to target the installation of fire doors in the UK.
The course is designed to be a practical introduction to installing fire doors and will cover a range of topics including: the fitting of fire doors, fire door frames and linings; understanding and fitting of fire door ironmongery and seals; the inclusion of apertures and associated fire regulations related to the fitting of glass; and the effects of use on fire door performance.
NPTC Group of Colleges’ Principal and CEO, Mark Dacey, was pleased to support the qualification,
He said: “A fire door is a vital safety device engineered to save lives and property. The BWF-Certifire will reinforce safe working practice amongst the industry and allow further education to deliver holistic training in the scheme to support the sector.”
The qualification will be available as an optional unit for apprentices from the NPTC Group of Colleges as well as a two- to three-day course aimed at experienced tradespeople. It will enable individuals to work towards and achieve unit 358: ‘Installing fire resisting timber door assemblies and doorsets in the workplace’. This will also provide a mechanism for Fire Doors to be included on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, which is used on larger construction sites to demonstrate individual competencies.
The course has already been successfully piloted in Wales at NPTC Group of Colleges.
Iain McIlwee, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation, said:
“There are many critical elements to get right in the construction of fire doors, and a host of regulations governing their manufacture, installation and maintenance. But a single mistake in specification, installation or use can render a fire door ineffective.
“The launch of the UK’s first fire door installation training course is the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past two years by our members and the NPTC Group of Colleges to strengthen the qualification and training system. Together, we reviewed the current modules to enable the qualification to be offered more broadly to those already qualified, such as site carpenters and joiners, to refresh and update their knowledge and skills.”
Fire doors are often the first line of defence for users of a building in the event of a fire and yet they remain a significant area of neglect – with 90% of fire doors reported as having issues within a sample of local authority and housing association Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) examined by the BWF. Subsequently, every year lives are lost or put at risk, and properties are unnecessarily damaged, because fire doors have been wrongly specified, fitted or maintained.
Iain added: “The key to correctly installed and maintained fire doors is to train the trainer and ensure that both tutors and assessors have access to the best training resources – the Fire Door Inspection Scheme Diploma is pivotal here and has supported our work. We hope that
our training qualification will make a real difference and raise fire door installation standards across the country.”
Suzannah Nichol, Chief Executive of Build UK, said, “The correct installation of a fire door is essential for protecting lives, property and businesses. This new qualification, developed and launched by the British Woodworking Federation and NPTC Group of Colleges will support the industry and those setting out on their career within construction to promote and ensure high standards of fire safety. It is also a great example of how our industry and learning institutions can work together more effectively to fix genuine market concerns.”
The course was formally launched at the Senedd by Deputy Presiding Office of the National Assembly for Wales, Ann Jones and featured presentations from the BWF and Mark Dacey, Principal and Chief Executive of NPTC Group of Colleges.
For more information, please visit http://www.bwfcertifire.org.uk/news/latest-news/closing-the-door-on-fires-in-wales or www.nptcgroup.ac.uk or to book directly onto the course please contact us on 01639 648000 or email: business@nptcgroup.ac.uk
Pic Caption: Deputy Presiding Office of the National Assembly for Wales, Ann Jones with Iain McIlwee, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation and Mark Dacey, Principal and Chief Executive of NPTC Group of Colleges.
