IFEDA's courses for Autumn and Winter 2017

Please be advised we have the following courses coming along in the next few months.

Course info and syllabi can be found on our website by clicking HERE

Re Fire Alarms: BS5839-1: 2017 has just been released. There are some major updates and changes to consider – our one-day modules make an ideal refresher whether that is design, maintenance or Installation & commissioning.

Also, we are expecting BS5306-3 : 2017 to be published at the end of this month. Please beware of the following note re extinguisher refresher training:-

NOTE It might not be possible to adhere precisely to a 3-year period, but this is acceptable provided that the refresher training has been officially booked and the course completed within 6 months of the 3-year anniversary. Failure to follow this procedure entails completing the initial training again.

Course	Location	Date	Cost	Notes
Fire Alarm Design	Bury, Manchester	11th October	£210 + vat
Fire Alarm Design	Southampton	14th November	“
Fire Alarm Maintenance	Bury, Manchester	12th October	“
Fire Alarm Maintenance	Southampton	15th November	“
Fire Alarm Installation & Commissioning	Bury, Manchester	13th October	“
Fire Alarm Installation & Commissioning	Southampton	16th November	“
Course	Location	Date	Cost
3 Day Full Extinguisher	Grantham, Lincs	2-4 October	£640 + vat
3 Day Full Extinguisher	Chester	17-19 Oct	“	2 places left
3 Day Full Extinguisher	Southampton	14-16th November	“	1 place left
3 Day Full Extinguisher	Caerphilly	21-23rd November	“	2 places left
3 Day Full Extinguisher	Chester	12/14 Dec	“
Course	Location	Date	Cost
1 Day extinguisher refresher	Buckingham	18th September	£185 + VAT	1 place left
1 Day extinguisher refresher	Glasgow	24th Oct	“	2 places left
1 Day extinguisher refresher	Southampton	28th November	“	Extra course, 4 places left @ Solent Business Centre
1 Day extinguisher refresher	Caerphilly	20th November	“
1 Day extinguisher refresher	Chester	11th December	“
Course	Location	Date	Cost
Fire & Safety Signage. A technical perspective	Bury Manchester	14th November	£70 + vat	½ day workshop
Course	Location	Date	Cost
Fire Hose Reel Maintenance	Chester	24th October	£285 + vat
Course	Location	Date	Cost
1 Day dry riser	Bury, Manchester	6th Dec	£285 + vat	Extra course as 5th Dec is full. 4 places left.

If you wish to book for any of the above this may be done on-line via the website or by an email to Lidia on info@ifeda.org

Removing Fire Extinguishers

Here is a post that is a couple of years old but given the number of times members ring the IFEDA office and state fire extinguishers have been taken out of a building with the over-riding suspicion it is to save money or the irresponsible person can't be bothered to train anyone it is perhaps worth republishing.

IFEDA voices concern over fire extinguisher removal

IFEDA VOICES CONCERN OVER FIRE EXTINGUISHER REMOVAL

IFEDA, the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association, is questioning the reasoning behind the recent removal of fire extinguishers in a property maintained by Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP). Residents at the property have allegedly been told that the removal of fire extinguishers from common areas of their block of flats was for their own safety. Nigel Walton, Chairman of IFEDA, commented: “IFEDA would question what available evidence demonstrates that the removal of fire extinguishers would enhance residents’ safety. Providing the correct type of fire extinguisher is in place, as determined by British Standard 5306 PT8, the likelihood of using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire is minimal. It would be unlikely that dry powder extinguishers would be used in communal evacuation routes, for example, a stairwell. Therefore the risk from obscured vision and breathing difficulties due to dust is minimal. Surely the sensible option would be to inform residents about the practical use of handling a fire extinguisher, rather than removing them altogether.” Walton continued: “All fires start small. Where a fire can safely be extinguished by the correct use of a fire extinguisher, then this can clearly minimise the massive damage fire can cause. Extinguishers play a vital role in the prevention of fire spreading.”

Graham Ferris, General Manager at IFEDA added his concerns by saying: “Recent surveys, (Eurofeu/IFEDA 2002 and IFEDA 2008) across Europe and in the UK, have established that approximately 80% of fires are extinguished before they get out of hand, by the use of portable fire extinguishers, even where the operator has had no formal training in their use. Any fire, given the time to take hold, can cause untold damage to property. The resulting additional costs in insurance, re-build, re-homing, in addition to damage to the environment, through the pollution and release of toxins, surely is argument enough that the safe placement and use of a fire extinguisher is the sensible option. They not only help contain the fire, providing crucial additional minutes to escape, but can also help minimise the damage fire can cause.”

IFEDA, as an independent trade association, promotes quality standards and procedures within the fire safety industry.

Ringing the bell for Cwmbran fire alarm courses

IFEDA, the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association, is running three of its renowned fire alarm training courses, in Cwmbran, Wales, in May.
The courses: Fire Alarm Introduction to Design; Fire Alarm Maintenance; and Fire Alarm Installation and Commissioning each cover an overview of BS 5839 part 1, with specific elements covered in each course. The courses are suitable for fire alarm technicians, owners and managers of fire protection companies, and fire safety offices.

The Fire Alarm Introduction to Design course, running on Wednesday 11 May, covers the need for a fire alarm, areas protected, system components, detection zones and non-compliance. It also covers required documentation, and false alarm management.

The Fire Alarm Maintenance course, taking place on Thursday 12 May, covers system components and positioning, maintenance requirements, practical application, servicing, in addition to required record keeping.

The Fire Alarm Installation and Commissioning course, running on Friday 13 May, covers the principles of fire alarm installation and commissioning, responsibility of the installer, installation practices and workmanship, inspection and testing of wiring, responsibility of the commissioning technician, handover, certification, documentation, acceptance and user’s responsibilities.

Each course is one day duration, and costs £210.00 (ex VAT) per course, with a discount available to IFEDA members. The price includes lunch and refreshments. The courses will be held at IFEDA member Fire Safety Technology Limited premises, on Springvale Industrial Estate, Cwmbran.

All IFEDA courses have CPD accreditation from The Construction CPD Certification Scheme, enabling technicians and those who attend the course to receive a certificate documenting their continuing professional development.

Further details can be found at: www.ifeda.org/training or courses can be booked easily online at: http://ifeda.org/book-ifeda-courses-online.




http://ifeda.org/fire-industry-training/

It's Christmas - don't forget your training.

IFEDA has courses running in early January - don't forget to make bookings because it's Christmas


3 day (in total) full extinguisher course Buckingham 19 - 21 Jan. BAFE recognised and CPD accredited.

More info can be found http://ifeda.org/fire-industry-training/ 

IFEDA technicians; worth their weight in gold!

“Is it a year since you were last here?” A familiar response from a business to a fire extinguisher technician who has arrived to complete the annual maintenance of the portable fire extinguishers. Mainly seen as a cost, that businesses would like to avoid, especially when businesses are struggling to emerge from the long term problems we have had in the economy.  However, the implications of not having a trained technician visiting business premises, on an annual basis as a minimum, should be considered, as should the additional benefits gained from the technician during their visit.

Provided the process of selection of the maintenance contractor is guided by the correct criteria: BAFE approved, third party assessed, carrying all the right insurances and accreditation’s (check www.ifeda.org  for further details), the technician is worth their weight in gold for your business!  In most instances, this technician may be just contracted to service the portable fire equipment but the reality is, a business can get considerably much, much more than this from the technician.

Obviously the technician’s first duty is to carry out the work they are employed for, primarily the service of the portable extinguishers, to the current British Standard 5306 part 3. Whilst on the way around the building, other elements are considered, such as they will ensure that the equipment in place is fit for the risk it is provided for, as things change inside the work place. This could include relocating and fitting any equipment that has been moved around. New machinery, changes in processes, new products being used or manufactured, an added kitchen or temporary Portakabin, these areas need evaluation to consider whether, the Fire Risk level has changed, increased or even decreased. Departments also move inside buildings and the change in fire risk is often not even considered.

In all premises just ensuring fire equipment is located correctly, not obstructed and that there are no signs of tampering or discharge can justify a regular visit alone.  The Fire extinguisher technician is fully trained to recognise all of these areas and will advise on the movement of equipment or, change of equipment if required, using BS 5306 part 8 as the reference document or indeed their bible.

The technician will also inform the staff on the type of portable equipment, and give instruction on how to safely use the extinguishers and what to use them on.

Most fire protection companies now train their technicians in the recognition and installation of escape and warning signs, therefore whilst the technician is on the premises, they will make sure that all the firefighting equipment, doors, alarms and extinguishers etc. are identified to meet the required standard. Evacuation from the building in the event of a problem is crucial and the means of escape has to be clearly signed. The engineer only using signs that conform to the correct standards, detailing non-compliant signs and offering the correct solution will ensure that the means of escape is clear and visible for the site.

I spoke earlier about instructions of how to use portable equipment.  This is not classed as training, however the engineer will check to see if a more in depth training package is required and can advise on this with the responsible person on site.

Once the engineer has completed the service, there are a couple of things left for him to do.  He will fill in the log book and issue certificates of maintenance ensuring that the business has documentation, if needed to show the enforcing authorities as proof, and that maintenance regimes are in place for fire protection equipment.

The technician may also be able to arrange for a Risk Assessor to attend site to carry out a full Risk Assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.  This will ensure businesses are complying with the law.

Many technicians have the ability to carry out fire door servicing, as they are already on site. Checking door closure rates, inspecting gaps, adjusting closers, recommending replacement furniture and intumescent strips when and where required. Probably something most businesses have never considered however one of the best and most important elements of fire protection device’s a company has.

The portable fire extinguisher technician is trained and keeps up to date with all the current codes of practice therefore delivering a more detailed, clear and in depth service than just maintenance of fire extinguishers.

Following the relevant codes of practice, they will keep the responsible person up to date with any changes that occur from his last visit.

The lack of periodical visits may not affect some well managed premises but in my experience most premises would benefit with the regular visit from somebody looking at the fire safety systems and procedures in place.

As the title suggests – would you do without the Fire Extinguisher Technician, who delivers much more than a fire extinguisher service.

Reader enquiries: 01268 242 340

www.means-of-escape.com

IFEDA training courses 2016

A PDF of our 2016 training courses can be downloaded from here

IFEDA, Full extinguisher course Caerphilly

Still got a couple of places on our BAFE recognised and CPD accredited 3 day training course for fire extinguisher technicians - Caerphilly - 24-26 November

email info@ifeda.org if you would like to book

Details can be found by clicking here