Douglas benefits from fire sprinkler training
Building Control Officers in the Borough of Douglas on the Isle of Man have been taking advantage of the lastest fire safety training on offer from the British Fire Consortium
Member companies of the British Fire Consortium offer a broad range of fire equipment and fire safety training to Building Control Officers, facility managers and other employers.
The Borough of Douglas on the Isle of Man recently took advantage of one BFC member’s expertise when Newport-based Fire & Safety Ltd ran a training course to update Building Control Officers on the specifics of residential sprinkler systems and other fire related equipment.
Borough of Douglas Building Control Manager, Nick Kaighin, explains why he organised the training for his team: “On the Isle of Man, Building Regulations now stipulate the installation of sprinkler systems in certain types of new buildings and conversions. These include flats, nursing homes and houses in multiple occupation. This is a new requirement for us and so we were starting from scratch in terms of knowledge. That’s why we needed an expert to help us.”
Fire & Safety Ltd installs sprinkler systems in addition to providing training for specifiers and other installers. The company initially presented a training seminar to around 100 architects, consultants and installers based on the Isle of Man, which explained the requirements of the relatively new Code of Practice, BS 9251, which sets out formal installation guidelines for residential and domestic sprinkler systems, including detailed technical requirements for the components, hydraulics and control of systems.
Following this, the company then ran a second course specifically for the island’s Building Control Officers, focusing on the knowledge they would need when conducting system inspections such as valve gear and pipework specification. This second course also updated the team on the inspection procedure for other fire safety equipment, such as fire alarm systems, portable fire extinguishers and safety signage.
The British Fire Consortium is a trade association of more than 250 independent companies involved in the installation and maintenance of fire protection equipment and associated training. Members are based all over the UK and can be contacted through the BFC website at www.tbfc.org.uk. Alternatively the BFC General Secretary can be contacted on 01273-297274 or at secretariat@tbfc.org.uk
