Fire door inspection action gathers pace
28 October 2013Efforts to crack down on defective fire doors have been boosted by the BRE launching its own fire door inspection training course.
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF), which last year launched its Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) in conjunction with Exova Warringtonfire, said anything that boosted awareness of fire door safety was excellent news.
BRE decided to launch its fire door inspection training course after Local Authority Building Control (LABC) members piloted a course under a memorandum of understanding signed by BRE and LABC.
The course includes an exam that will enable building control surveyors who pass to be registered as Accredited Fire Door Assessors.
"This can only lead to improvements in the overall standard of passive fire protection installation which will be welcomed by all involved in this industry," said Stephen Howard, BRE passive fire protection business group manager.
The BWF said it hoped BRE and LABC would be active partners in next year's Fire Safety Door Week.
"We don't see any competitive issues here; the BRE course looks like a very different offering," said Neil Ashdown, manager of the BWF's FDIS.
More than 130 people have gained the Diploma in Fire Doors via the FDIS, with candidates working through a series of online education modules before sitting an exam at a local test centre.
