FPA adds four new courses to its training to bolster high standards

With increasing focus on the importance of both the technical aspects and management of fire safety, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) is introducing four new training courses to help meet the demand for trained and competent fire safety professionals.

The new courses cover a range of topics – mathematics for engineering, the fundamental principles of fire risk assessment, fire risk management in residential properties, and fire in non-loadbearing external walls.

Launching these additions to the FPA’s offering, Claire Wright, Director of Training and Digital Services at FPA said, “As the UK’s national fire safety organisation, one of our key goals is to contribute to a legacy of safety in our workplaces and homes for generations to come. This new and significantly updated range of courses reflects a response to changes in the sector and the needs of our customers, who are committed to demonstrating the highest standard of practice in the fire safety sector.”

Fire and non-loadbearing external walls

This is a one-day course focused on multi-storey buildings with a primary structural frame of concrete, steel, and timber that supports the external wall construction. This course intends to provide learners with the knowledge to determine whether a fire risk appraisal of the external wall under PAS 9980:2022 is required.

Fundamental engineering mathematics

This is a three-day course that encompasses complex mathematical concepts, providing learners with the knowledge and skills to attack engineering mathematical problems in context. Designed to provide CPD and refresher knowledge, Fundamental Engineering Mathematics will give an ‘essential grounding’ in the rudimentary mathematical formulae to allow attendees to scrutinise and challenge decisions, or put forward solutions in a scientific way.

Fire risk assessment fundamental principles

This is a five-day course that will provide learners with an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that underpin the practice of fire risk assessment. This course will detail the knowledge required of a competent fire risk assessor as defined by UK legislation. It is suitable for those who carry out or work with fire risk assessments in their own workplace, and for low-risk premises.

Managing fire risk in residential properties

Developed with input from the fire industry and the housing sector, this five-day course aims to meet the expectations of building fire safety and to provide those who are engaged in building fire safety management with the tools to succeed. This course is suitable for those with management responsibilities for existing residential, mixed-use, and high-rise residential properties. Delegates are expected to have previous life safety systems knowledge.

Wright also added: “The first of these new courses will start from the beginning of October, with a full rollout over the autumn, and with courses being run in London and Manchester, as well at our head office at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire, we’re really pleased to be able to widen our offering in this way.

“As always, our FPA members receive a 10% discount on the cost of the courses, and we are expecting them to be very popular. Courses are also available to be booked as in-house events at companies’ premises, and we are happy to discuss the tailoring of courses to meet the needs of employers.”

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