 |
What level of accreditation should a contractor have?
The domestic and residential fire sprinkler industry is un-regulated.
Currently, installers attend a 2-day training course which enables them to ’self certify’ their own installation. A further 2 day course allows the installer to design their own system.
While this is considered adequate by some local authority building control departments, there has been a substantial increase in authorities expecting a higher level of accreditation.
LPCB has tried to launch a scheme for domestic and residential installers however, at the time of writing, it has no installers listed in the Red Book.
FIRAS : is third party certification for installation contractors of both passive and active (fire sprinkler) protection systems, operated by Warrington Certification and accredited by UKAS to EN45011.
At the time of writing, there are 9 FIRAS accredited installers in the UK. RAD Fire Sprinkler Co Ltd has been operating under the scheme for 4 years and is the only FIRAS accredited company based in the South-East of England.
FIRAS certificated contractors are required to undergo a 3 stage assessment process . Only when the applicant contractor has satisfied all of these criteria is certification granted.
Assessment of office management systems
Assessment of workmanship on site for all trade disciplines for which certification is sought.
Competence assessment of supervisory and installation employees.
Is your contractor fully accredited? If the answer is no, ask the question – why not?
Contact us or call on 0845 8734990
