Monday September 23 marks the start of Fire Door Safety Week 2024, and as a company dedicated to raising awareness of the role fire doors play in saving lives, this is one of the most important weeks of the year for us.
The dangers of fire breaking out in both residential and commercial buildings have been well-documented for centuries, yet it was only recently – following the Grenfell Tower disaster of 2017 – that such dangers truly impacted the public consciousness, prompting widespread changes in terms of fire safety and those responsible for maintaining safety standards in buildings.
“Can I Certify a Fire Door?” Training Course in Session
As a result of Grenfell, an independent review, The Hackitt Report, concluded that a fundamental shift in approach is needed to ensure buildings are safe, both now and in the future. The current system of building regulations and fire safety was found to be inadequate. Roles and responsibilities within the industry were unclear, and regulations and guidance were often ambiguous and inconsistent. This lack of clarity and competence puts lives at risk.
Key proposals arising from the Hackitt Report included:
o Enhanced duty holder responsibilities: Detailed and rigorous roles were outlined for building owners to prioritise building safety.
o Simplified regulations: A streamlined regulatory framework was proposed that accommodates various levels of building complexity.
o Continuous fire safety improvement: A commitment to ongoing learning and comprehensive training programmes aligned with updated regulations and legislation was emphasised.
Furthermore, in Sir Martin Moore-Bicks’ Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report we were reminded that on the night of the fire some 77 out of 120 fire doors in the tower didn’t have self-closers, and the residents of the tower paid the ultimate price. Never again should such defective fire doors be allowed to place people’s lives in danger.
Not surprisingly, there has been a notable uptake in companies and organisations expressing interest in fire door safety courses that dovetailed with new Government requirements to benefit the whole building industry. Fire Doors Complete runs a number of high-quality, fully certified training courses in how to appropriately install, inspect and maintain fire doors. Our aim is to make every course as clear and comprehensive as possible, and on completion, each delegate will receive a certificate of achievement.
One of our newest courses is titled Can I Certify a Fire Door? This course is designed for carpenters, joiners, supervisors, and managers involved in the inspection, installation, and maintenance of timber-based fire doors. Our comprehensive programme equips you with the necessary information to understand and perform proper checks, maintain accurate records and provide essential documentation to clients upon completion of fire door works.
The course curriculum covers essential aspects of fire door safety, including regulatory compliance, proper installation and maintenance procedures, accurate record-keeping, efficient sign-off processes, effective client handover and a comprehensive final examination to assess participant knowledge and understanding.
“Can I Certify a Fire Door?” Training Brochure
There is the option for this course to be studied both in-person and remotely. We provide a textbook and USB stick with voiced commentary provided, and the course e-content provided is suitable for Windows and Mac devices.
In short, this new training course covers the essential checks and signing-off to make sure and confirm that the fire doors meet the relevant standards and regulations. This is so important to make fire doors safer.
The need to be compliant with, and ahead of, regulations relating to fire door safety has never been stronger. Investing in competency is crucial for public safety and could feasibly save lives. Fire Doors Complete has decades of experience delivering top-quality training and consultancy work, and what we do enhances safety standards, ensures legal compliance and boosts professional credibility.
• For more information about Fire Doors Complete, the work we do and our courses, get in touch with us or give us a call on 07599 425388.