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Training Manager, FIA

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Ian Gurling is Training Manager for the Fire Industry Association
April 23, 2014

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About to Start Installing Fire Alarms? Then Read On…

Fire alarm 3If you’re expanding your business into the fire industry there are two key things you need to think about and get up to speed on: getting the right training and getting Third Party Certification.

Let’s start with training: Why should we do it?

Bram Stoker wrote: “We learn from failure, not from success!” and for engineers working or entering the fire industry failure can have very serious consequences, not least the loss of life. Changes to legislation, documents such as British Standards and advances in technology have all come about through the desire to prevent the failures of the past, understanding where and how each should be applied is where training comes in.

It’s horrible to consider however, there remain those few who feel that the safety of others is not enough for them to spend a relatively small amount on training. For the fire industry, current legislation requires that the person doing the work be able to demonstrate competence and learning forms just one – but significant – part of that competence.

In the early stages of a person’s career or when major changes come about in guidance or technology formal training such as one of the courses offered by the FIA will provide comprehensive understanding of the subject, in a relatively short period. While for smaller changes or enhanced understanding CPD events and seminars may serve the individual needs.

But if a technician working in an allied trade wishes to transfer skills does that person still require training? Well, in short yes.

While a security alarm technician may understand electronic theory and the principles of detection for security systems, the behaviour of fire and smoke and the requirements for their detection vary significantly from that of an intruder.

Through lack of knowledge/understanding and in an effort to ensure full coverage the technician over specifies an installation and either loses the tender for a cheaper competitor or incurs unnecessary cost in the installation.

Why should we do training? Because it makes philanthropic, legal and financial sense.

Third-Party Certification

If you work in any part of the fire safety industry you will hopefully at least have heard of Third Party Certification (TPC) but you may not be too sure what it is.

In essence it’s a consumer protection scheme. It enables you, the supplier and certificated company, to provide proof that your company is competent. TPC means that an independent expert, the third party, has assessed your business and found that it has met certain standards.

Your customers have a duty to employ ‘competent persons’ and but few know much about how to go about this. If you are certificated you can clearly prove your competence to your customers and differentiate yourself from much of the competition. As every good salesperson knows, educating the client as to their problems and the solutions you can offer is a major step towards closing a deal.

If you’re interested in learning more about our training courses or about Third Party Certification and how to go about getting certified the FIA can help. Visit us at IFSEC International this June at ExCel on stand C380 and we can help you through it all.

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SISSInsurance
May 22, 2014 2:08 pm

Wise reasoning. Training and accreditation will serve to raise professional standards and competency but will not, unfortunately, completely eradicate human error or unforeseen circumstances. Installers of Fire Alarms have a huge responsibility to the clients whose property their installations protect. I would suggest that the correct level of insurance protection should therefore also be of equal consideration.