{"id":32485,"date":"2017-04-07T09:10:10","date_gmt":"2017-04-07T08:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=32485"},"modified":"2017-04-07T09:10:10","modified_gmt":"2017-04-07T08:10:10","slug":"qualifications-fire-detection-and-alarm-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/health-safety-news\/qualifications-fire-detection-and-alarm-systems\/32485\/","title":{"rendered":"Do we need qualifications in fire detection and alarm systems?"},"content":{"rendered":"

General Manager Martin Duggan considers what industry-wide qualifications in fire detection and alarm systems would look like following an FIA survey<\/h2>\n

There is much talk about the need to have a formal qualification in fire detection and alarm systems, including a lack of skilled fire<\/a> alarm technicians. There are few young people entering the industry, companies left right and centre are struggling to hire and keep hold of more experienced technicians, and other companies are just jostling for that one extra cherry on the top of the cake that might tip the balance in their favour and pull in extra customers.<\/p>\n

But no one so far has considered what a formal qualification in fire detection and alarm systems might look like. With so many different job roles, there are many areas that need to be covered.<\/p>\n

Think about it for a moment.\u00a0 What does a fire alarm maintenance technician need to know compared to a system designer?\u00a0 What about an installer, or a commissioning technician?\u00a0 These are all different areas with a significant amount of overlap, yet also with a different knowledge requirement for each job function.<\/p>\n

Is it feasible to have a \u2018one-size-fits-all\u2019 approach to fire detection and alarm systems?\u00a0 What would each person in each job role need to know?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m glad to say that after getting the results back from a survey we sent out to members, we have a much clearer insight into this question.\u00a0 We also held a \u2018Voice of the Customer\u2019 day, where members were invited in to tell us what areas would need to be covered for each job role. Members also considered the lack of a career path for joining the fire industry.<\/p>\n

The results of the survey state what the top areas of learning would need to be for each job role, while the Voice of the Customer day allowed members to voice their opinions and help suggest the paths of study. Here\u2019s a quick run-down:<\/p>\n

The Maintenance Technician<\/h3>\n

Fifteen topic areas were revealed to be important in this job role.\u00a0 A basic grounding in electronics may be required, as unfortunately, this is not a required subject at school and any joining the industry don\u2019t always have first-hand knowledge. 98% of those surveyed stated that understanding BS5839 was necessary (no surprise here), but a qualification would have to give a good solid foundation in the whole standard, as well as cover the maintenance standards in greater detail. Other areas such as waste management, communication and sales skills, simple design principles, and BS6266 (Fire Protection for Electronic Equipment) were also highlighted.<\/p>\n

Additionally, other areas that are not covered by the current FIA training were pointed out by members at the Voice of the Customer Day, with 87% stating that health and safety at work was important.<\/p>\n

The survey also revealed some other topics that would be required:<\/p>\n