A Fire Door Education Programme for those involved in the inspection, installation and repair of fire doors has been jointly launched by BRE and the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF).
This two bodies say it’s following widespread publicity and concerns that the integrity of fire doors is being compromised in residential apartment blocks and public buildings. BRE covers the built environment and the DHF represents manufacturers and installers of industrial and commercial doors, shutters and building hardware. Delegates who successfully pass exams after a series of one-day courses will be awarded the Fire Door Education Programme Training Certificate.
Michael Skelding, DHF general manager and secretary, said: “These concerns have led BRE, in partnership with the DHF, to develop the programme specifically for those already actively involved in the inspection, installation and repair of fire doors. The correct specification and installation of passive fire protection is critical to the safety of building occupants. The role of inspection professionals is vital in ensuring that appropriate products are installed to the proper standard. This training scheme will significantly add to their knowledge of fire doors.”
The courses are aimed at building control officers, facilities managers, safety inspectors, insurers, fire risk assessors and other fire professionals involved in the installation, inspection and repair of fire doors. There are four modules: fire door inspection; the installation and maintenance of timber fire doors; steel hinged fire doors; and fire shutters.
The first, on fire door inspection, at the end of 2013 was attended by 80 building control officers. It covered types of fire doors, the importance of critical components such as door closers, and the inspection procedure and pass/fail criteria.
Course delegate Adam Heeley, building control manager at Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “Whilst I know quite a bit about fire doors, this training course brought all that information together and added the complexity of CE marking. The test at the end of the course ensured we correctly understood it all. I’d recommend it to all involved with fire door inspection.”
The next fire door inspection courses are on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, April 15. Installation and maintenance of timber doors courses will be on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, June 13. They all run at BRE Watford. To book places visit: http://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=7610.
