27 replies to this topic

[adpteddy]

I am thinking of adding Fire Alarm Installation/Maintainance to my security business but obviously will need to send engineers on courses before I can.
After looking through various web sites it all seems as clear as mud on what courses I need, please can I have some advise on what courses I will need to go on, who are the best people to do courses with and rough costs i am going to encounter.

Many Thanks
Luke.

[jameswilson]

id have a look at the fia site
http://www.fia.uk.com/

[adpteddy]

redbull, on Jan 10 2009, 09:34 PM, said:

id have a look at the fia site
http://www.fia.uk.com/

Thanks for the link.
What courses would I be required to take if I was installing/maintaining a system, doesn't seem that clear.
Looks like I would Need Unit 1, Unit 4, Unit 5 and Unit 6.

[goncall]

adpteddy, on Jan 10 2009, 09:19 PM, said:

I am thinking of adding Fire Alarm Installation/Maintainance to my security business but obviously will need to send engineers on courses before I can.
After looking through various web sites it all seems as clear as mud on what courses I need, please can I have some advise on what courses I will need to go on, who are the best people to do courses with and rough costs i am going to encounter.

Many Thanks
Luke.

im intruder and cctv,went on fire course as fire panels seemed less complex than intruder,maybe,but the regs are something else,you need experience not courses for fire systems as a fail to operate between intruder and fire can mean a loss of life as opposed to loss of stock.

[MatonTE1]

goncall, on Jan 10 2009, 09:44 PM, said:

im intruder and cctv,went on fire course as fire panels seemed less complex than intruder,maybe,but the regs are something else,you need experience not courses for fire systems as a fail to operate between intruder and fire can mean a loss of life as opposed to loss of stock.

I'd agree with your latter comment but not your former.Certainly a fire panel uses a two core and if you are installing a straight "one out,all out" system then it would be less complex.However,if you have to get into cause and effect programming it's a different kettle of fish!

[jameswilson]

fire wise i did them all except risk assesment, but do the first one and see how far you need to go.

[keeny]

i did one of the fia modules last year,i would recomend you do some revision 1st,module 1 is a very intense 1 day course, you only get a 15 minute break,10 hours sat in the classroom,i wont be going back !

[mikex79]

hi everyone
but can anybody explain me what is the MUST that i need to have (certificate, exam, degree) to install fire alarms and certyfy them so I coud do a complete job from the beginning (projects) to certify them and maintain a ready fit system?

Edited by mikex79, 29 January 2009 - 07:26 PM.

[Chorlton]

what does the RRO say?
what does the British standard say?
H&S is not so black & white as "must" xy&z it up to YOU to satisfy yourself 1st

I'd say formal training, practical training, relevant tools & spare parts & experience !

[MatonTE1]

mikex79, on Jan 29 2009, 07:25 PM, said:

hi everyone
but can anybody explain me what is the MUST that i need to have (certificate, exam, degree) to install fire alarms and certyfy them so I coud do a complete job from the beginning (projects) to certify them and maintain a ready fit system?

Proof of competance through work experience and do the modules offered in the links for the FIA site listed below,starting with module 1.
You don't need a degree unless you really want to prove that you can digest and regurgitate.

[esp-protocol]

mikex79, on Jan 29 2009, 07:25 PM, said:

hi everyone
but can anybody explain me what is the MUST that i need to have (certificate, exam, degree) to install fire alarms and certyfy them so I coud do a complete job from the beginning (projects) to certify them and maintain a ready fit system?

"A person is to be regarded as competent where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly do the works"

.....slightly paraphrased from the RRO but in a nutshell, you need experience as well as qualifications to be considered competent......

[MatonTE1]

No nowt about the "dreaded" RRO but from 5839 the definintion is as foolows -
"3.11
competent person -

A person with the necessary training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and
information, and capable of carrying out a defined task"

This relates to everything from specifying,design,commissioning,maintenance and end user responsibilities.

[glennb1980]

Which qualifications though?

Some people say electrical installation 2330, other btec electronic and electrical engineering...

As it is i've been in the industry 2 years coming from an eletronics background but with no formal qualification myself, but im looking to gain some/one which would you guys advise?

[MatonTE1]

glennb1980, on Feb 8 2009, 09:26 PM, said:

Which qualifications though?

Some people say electrical installation 2330, other btec electronic and electrical engineering...

As it is i've been in the industry 2 years coming from an eletronics background but with no formal qualification myself, but im looking to gain some/one which would you guys advise?

There aren't really any specific quallifications as such but getting onto the courses run by FIA (as previously stated) would be essential if you have little or no experience in the discipline.
Even then you will need to be working within the industry for it all to come together (as is the case in all walks of life - you don't get to really know it until you can use it).

Edited by MatonTE1, 08 February 2009 - 09:47 PM.

[steven sneddon]

glennb1980, on Feb 8 2009, 09:26 PM, said:

Which qualifications though?

Some people say electrical installation 2330, other btec electronic and electrical engineering...

As it is i've been in the industry 2 years coming from an eletronics background but with no formal qualification myself, but im looking to gain some/one which would you guys advise?

If you find something worth while please let me know, I put myself through college(night classes) HNC electrical and electronic engineering(college attended doesn't do this course anymore). Wasn't easy working through the day, and we just had the one kid at the time.

I would like a credible qualification for our guys that is directly relevant to the fire industry, spoken to a couple of governing bodies, BAFE (NSI) & Select (Scottish electrical governing body) they both say similar things, about the industry trying to come up with a standard qualification, but this could be a long time away.

Experience usually out weighs qualifications any day IMO.

[glennb1980]

steven sneddon, on Feb 9 2009, 12:32 AM, said:

If you find something worth while please let me know, I put myself through college(night classes) HNC electrical and electronic engineering(college attended doesn't do this course anymore). Wasn't easy working through the day, and we just had the one kid at the time.

I would like a credible qualification for our guys that is directly relevant to the fire industry, spoken to a couple of governing bodies, BAFE (NSI) & Select (Scottish electrical governing body) they both say similar things, about the industry trying to come up with a standard qualification, but this could be a long time away.

Experience usually out weighs qualifications any day IMO.

Was looking at the hnc myself but the boss wont let me have do it on day release, and i carnt find anywhere that does it on a night, so im looking at starting the electrical installation 2330 in september.

Experience does out weigh qualifications, as a guess we've all had the experience of sorting out a sparkys mess who think they can install a fire alarm system oh such fun

[tony oliver]

as far as i know there isn't any formal qualifications. or never used to be. which is crazy as its life saving equipment.
thats why you end up goin to jobs that are a total f up lol

[MatonTE1]

tony oliver, on Mar 10 2009, 10:43 PM, said:

as far as i know there isn't any formal qualifications. or never used to be. which is crazy as its life saving equipment.
thats why you end up goin to jobs that are a total f up lol

Hi Tony - Ive worked with guys who have been to all of the same courses as me and I wouldn't trust them to do a "thumbs up on Monday" test!!
You need to get drilled in that if it fails then someone is going to get hurt,die or a lot of people are out of work because the factory burnt down.

[mojo]

[quote name='MatonTE1' date='Mar 11 2009, 12:30 AM' post='228406']
Hi Tony - Ive worked with guys who have been to all of the same courses as me and I wouldn't trust them to do a "thumbs up on Monday" test!!
You need to get drilled in that if it fails then someone is going to get hurt,die or a lot of people are out of work because the factory burnt down.
[/quot

if u need to find how good some one is ask them whats difference between AC and DC voltage(o)

[SUBS]

if u need to find how good some one is ask them whats difference between AC and DC voltage(o)

What will that prove ?

My 13 year old daughter knows that..................and personally I wouldnt take on a tea boy who didnt.

Are you for real mate, or are your posts all wind ups ?