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ASFP launches passive fire protection training

ASFP launches passive fire protection training

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is launching a passive fire protection training programme in April 2018. 

The Foundation Course in Passive Fire Protection has been developed in response to demand from employers and contractors operating in the passive fire protection sector.  The content of the training embeds current best practice and draws on the technical expertise provided by the ASFP.   

The training aims to equip candidates with the knowledge required to demonstrate competency, while also offering a route for progression and academic recognition in this key fire protection specialism.  The courses will be the first in the UK and Ireland to enable candidates to study to obtain a recognised qualification in passive fire protection. 

Each training course is suitable for all involved in the construction industry from designers and specifiers to contractors and specialist installers. Courses are also suitable for building owner occupiers and enforcement agencies.    

The courses offer a foundation in fire safety and fire science as well as units on different forms of passive fire protection, with the courses structured in four modules:

  • Module 1: Essential underpinning knowledge including fire science
  • Module 2: Installation of Passive Fire Protection:
    • Unit 1: Fire protection to the structural frame of the building, Fire retardant coatings
    • Unit 2: Fire resisting walls, floors and ceiling and fire resistant glazing
    • Unit 3: Fire stopping, penetration seals, cavity barriers, ductwork and dampers and the building envelope
    • Unit 4: Fire resisting doors, industrial shutters and hardware
  • Module 3: Understanding active fire protection
  • Module 4: Understanding  building regulations, approved documentation, regulatory guidance, CDM, CE marking, codes of practice, and BIM

Individuals who undertake the training will also have the opportunity to progress to new Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Passive Fire Protection provided by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) awarding organisation. The new qualifications have been developed in partnership between the ASFP and the IFE specifically to align to the new training programme and to provide recognition of individuals who have attained the essential knowledge and understanding to work efficiently and safely in passive fire protection roles. 

The new IFE Level 3 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection qualification will be available from April 2018.  It is aimed at individuals either directly engaged in passive fire protection or those who need to develop an understanding of the passive fire safety systems such as  managers and technical supervisors working in passive fire protection roles such as technical sales staff, designers and fire risk assessors.   

Individuals who wish to achieve this qualification will be able to prepare for formal assessment by attending all four training modules delivered via 7 days of lectures spread over several weeks. They will also be expected to undertake extensive additional study using ASFP technical publications as learning material. Assessment will take the form of a single 3-hour written examination.

The new Level 3 Certificate will be provided by the IFE, a nationally and internationally recognised awarding organisation regulated by the qualification regulators Ofqual and CCEA.  The new Level 3 Certificate will be comparable to other level 3 qualifications in the nationally regulated framework such as A levels and Level 3 NVQs and Diplomas. Candidates who are successful in achieving the IFE Level 3 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection will be able to build on their learning and progress to qualifications at Level 4 or to broaden their knowledge and understanding at Level 3 by working towards other fire-specific qualifications. They will also be eligible to apply for membership of the IFE.

The ASFP and IFE plan to introduce a further qualification later in 2018 – the IFE Level 2 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection. The Level 2 Certificate is aimed at individuals such as team leaders or supervising installers working in passive fire protection roles and technical sales staff.  Level 2 candidates will still undertake all four modules of study, although the syllabus will be less comprehensive, and they will select only two passive fire protection units from Module 2. The Level 2 Certificate will be supported by 4 days of lectures, with candidates again expected to undertake extensive additional study to prepare for a single 1.5-hour written examination.

For further information visit www.asfp.org.uk

Published March 2018