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17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
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New fire door training programme answers concerns over fire door defects in buildings
A Fire Door Education Programme for professionals involved in the inspection, installation and repair of fire doors has just been jointly launched by BRE and the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF). This has been developed following widespread publicity and concerns that the integrity of fire doors is being compromised in residential apartment blocks and public buildings.
BRE provides expertise on every aspect of the built environment and the DHF represents the leading manufacturers and installers of industrial and commercial doors, shutters and building hardware.
The programme consists of a series of one-day courses. Delegates who successfully pass the exam following each course will be awarded the Fire Door Education Programme Training Certificate.
Said Michael Skelding, DHF general manager and secretary: "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."
Those attending the Fire Door Education Programme courses will include 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.
The programme comprises four modules: fire door inspection; the installation and maintenance of timber fire doors; steel hinged fire doors; and fire shutters.
The first pilot course, on fire door inspection, took place at the end of 2013 and was attended by 80 building control officers. It built delegates' knowledge of the different types of fire doors, covered the importance of critical components such as door closers, and developed delegates' understanding of 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 taking place on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, April 15. Installation and maintenance of timber doors courses will be held on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, June 13. They all take place at BRE Watford. To book places, please visit: www.bre.co.uk
12th March 2014