More than 80 people have signed up to take a new qualification for fire door professionals in the first six weeks of the scheme – and so far about 10% have taken the exam and passed.
The Diploma in Fire Doors is a joint initiative developed by the British Woodworking Federation’s CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI). The qualification is a step towards the launch of Europe’s first Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS).
A spokesperson for the diploma said pass rates have been in the 90% range although one person achieved 100% in the final exam. No-one had failed.
The diploma is an online learning platform of seven web-based modules designed to be studied at a candidate’s own pace and location. A final examination is taken at a local test centre.
“We have been encouraged by the high quality of passes coming through. Some people have been taking their time, and some people might not want to take the whole diploma at the moment, but that’s how it is designed for people to work at their own time,” a spokesperson said.
The diploma is the first step in a bid to provide a database of local inspectors who can check on the specification, installation and maintenance of fire doors in buildings such as hospitals, hotels, commercial offices and industrial buildings, and social housing.
Independent certification of FDIS inspectors is expected to start later this year.
