Fire Door Maintenance launches “industry-first” GQA Level 3 Diploma

The 65-credit Level 3 Diploma has been developed in conjunction with awarding body GQA Qualifications and construction training provider the National Skills Centre. It comprises 12 units and 313 guided learning hours. That represents eight additional units and 305 more guided learning hours than its closest competitor.

The Inspection of Fire-Resistant Door Sets Diploma focuses on the required practical skills and knowledge for fire-resistant door inspection, as well as legislative compliance. Assessment content includes identifying types of fire-resistant doors and components, the roles and responsibilities of a fire-resistant door inspector and the importance of Continuing Professional Development for fire door inspectors.

Candidates acquire relevant skills and gain experience, inspecting six different fire-resistant door types in FDM by UAP Ltd’s practical Training Centre (the first of its kind in the UK). They are then assessed on site, or via practical and video evidence, in order to demonstrate implementation of the training and ongoing competence in a workplace environment.

FDM by UAP Ltd celebrated the launch of the Inspection of Fire-Resistant Door Sets Diploma at its Bury headquarters, where guests toured the Training Centre and learned about the courses and qualifications on offer. Through its Training Centre, FDM has taught more than 700 industry professionals in its first 13 months of operation, duly offering hands-on, GQA-accredited education that bridges industry gaps in fire safety knowledge.

Effective collaboration

Nicola John, managing director of Fire Door Maintenance, said: “By collaborating with the construction industry to create our new Level 3 Diploma, we’re providing holistic training and assessments that include all of the topics fire door inspectors need to know including legislation. It’s very robust for two reasons. First, it needs to satisfy the 2022 Building Safety Act and, second, we need to raise industry safety standards. We’re extremely proud to be spearheading this widespread change.”

Martin Sadler, external quality advisor and technical officer at GQA Qualifications, commented: “The Level 3 Diploma in Inspection of Fire-Resistant Door Sets is a new approach to how qualifications are delivered and assessed in the market. It’s just what the industry needs. We’re filling the skills gap and creating a new generation of fire door inspectors who are qualified and demonstrably competent, which in turn makes buildings safer for everyone.”

Debra Green, business owner of the National Skills Centre, noted: “This is the comprehensive qualification the construction industry was missing. With this Level 3 Diploma, we’re changing the culture around how we demonstrate competence for inspectors, which will then create a safer and more knowledgeable construction workforce.”

*Register for the Level 3 Diploma in the Inspection of Fire-Resistant Door Sets (and FDM by UAP Ltd’s other accredited qualifications and courses) online