Level 6 certificate addresses competence gaps in fire engineering

The course has been developed by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) in collaboration with fire engineering specialists at the University of Edinburgh, CROSS-UK, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Smoke Control Association, as well as fire engineering consultancies Design Fire Consultants, The Fire Surgery, OFR Consultants and PartB.

Delivered via eleven half-day virtual workshops, the new course covers a range of topics including an overview of BS 7974 (the British Standard that provides the framework for applying fire safety engineering principles), Computational Fluid Dynamics, PAS 8700 and modern methods of construction, structural fire engineering, smoke ventilation and clearance, accessible means of egress and working with existing buildings.

Continued emphasis

Lorna Stimpson, CEO of LABC, informed Fire Safety Matters: “There’s a continued emphasis on improving the competence of all construction professionals to drive up safety standards across the industry. This course has been put together to ensure that anyone interacting with fire engineering has the knowledge to confidently assess and challenge the information that’s given to them. We need the industry, and professionals within it, to reach a place whereby they can ensure safer outcomes for every person in every building.”

Originally launched in October, LABC has recently had the course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building so that attendees gain a Level 6 certificate upon successful completion of the final assessment.

Speaking about his experience of attending the course, Matt Canham (fire engineer at the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service representing the NFCC) said: “I’ve been taken on a fire engineering journey based on competent and ethical practice. I have taken so much from this course that will inform how I carry out my regulatory role on a daily basis. It has given me the confidence and knowledge to ask those fundamental questions.”

Existing suite

This latest offering from LABC adds to its existing suite of award-winning training courses created specifically for the wider construction industry including ‘Safety at Sports Grounds and other Events’, ‘Building Regulation Compliance’, ‘Building Regulation Application’ and ‘Building Regulation Inspections’.

*The first CIOB Level 6 Certificate in Principles of Fire Engineering course starts on 6 May. A second course will begin on 8 October

**Further information is available online at www.labc.co.uk/events/level-6-ciob-certificate-fire-engineering-principles-2

***Additional detail concerning LABC can be accessed at www.labc.co.uk