02/05/2025
The UK Government is considering some significant amendments to building regulations which will impact BWF Members and the wider woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. A consultation of ...
Peter Johnson, Chairman of the BWF-CERTIFIRE FIredoor and Doorset Scheme
The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is continuing to make excellent progress towards the launch of the website, which will go live next month.
The website gives full details of the scheme and the FDIS online education programme which is available to anyone who wishes to have a greater knowledge of fire doors and a qualification to prove it.
From early February, BWF and BWF-CERTIFIRE members will be able to register on the FDIS website [www.fdis.co.uk]. Once registered you will be able to start working through the education modules, and then book and sit the final FDIS Diploma examination at a local test centre. Successful candidates will be awarded the Diploma in Fire Doors and will be entitled to use the designation DipFD after their name. Work is being finalised on a Transition Module which provides a route for Diploma holders to become Certificated Inspectors, provided they successfully complete the module and go on to pass an on-site practical assessment of their skills and knowledge.
The FDIS Diploma will provide a comprehensive level of knowledge in fire door specification, installation, inspection and maintenance:
• Foundation module – A basic understanding of fire doors and their components, including testing and certification, regulations and standards, inspection and maintenance.
• Timber doors and frames – A more detailed look at timber fire and escape doorsets, their construction, installation and functional performance.
• Seals – About the function and technology of intumescent, acoustic and smoke seals, how they’re identified and installed.
• Glazing – About the types of fire resistant glass, glazed apertures, glazing retention systems and beading and the importance of getting it right.
• Ironmongery and Signage – Two modules covering all essential and non-essential ironmongery, panic escape mechanisms and signage on fire doors.
• Metal fire doors – How steel doors differ from timber doors, how they are tested, glazed, installed and maintained.
The Diploma is very close to launch, and promotional events will be held for members and the media by the end of March 2012.
The FDIS working group, comprising members of BWF, BWF-CERTIFIRE and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, has worked very hard to develop a scheme from scratch – one which brings significant commercial benefits and training opportunities to our members involved in fire doors and associated supply chain.
The FDIS is the first such scheme in Europe, designed to transform people’s knowledge and understanding about the critical purpose and function of fire doors. Its ultimate purpose is to help improve safety and save lives through creating a new pool of expertise and competence to help those with legal responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. It provides a vital new resource to help the ‘Responsible Person’ complete fire risk assessments for the premises they manage. It also raises awareness of defective fire doors and the potentially tragic consequences of leaving these unchecked.
This has been a major undertaking with the coming together of two trade associations and the working group dedicating significant amounts of time to the scheme alongside their day jobs.
We will keep you regularly updated on progress up to launch and beyond through our newsletters and on the BWF-CERTIFIRE and BWF websites.
