FPA announces new ABBE-accredited qualification in fire safety training

With accreditation from the Awarding Body for Building Education (ABBE), the FPA has launched a new Level 3 qualification as part of its ever-expanding training services.

In a bid to meet the rising demand for recognised and accredited fire safety qualifications and with the growing emphasis on improving competency, the FPA offers a number of qualification pathways to support fire safety professionals with enhancing their knowledge and skills.

Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety Training
The FPA’s new qualification is a train-the-trainer programme which equips learners with Level 3 competencies in Education and Training, the knowledge and skills to deliver basic fire safety and fire warden training, and training resources that can be tailored to individual workplaces. With a total qualification time of 130 hours, the course requires attendance over 4 days with  additional learning and assessment to be completed within 8 weeks. Providing a total of 13 Level 3 credits, the qualification consists of 7 mandatory units:

1. Roles, responsibilities, and relationships in education and training
2. Using inclusive teaching and learning approaches in education and training
3. Facilitating learning and development for individuals and groups
4. Understanding assessment in education and training
5. Principles and practice of assessment
6. Fire safety principles
7. Using portable firefighting equipment safely.

Fire safety qualifications
In addition to the new Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety Training, the FPA delivers a number of fire safety qualifications which range in size and complexity. The terms Award, Certificate, or Diploma reflect the size of the qualification which is measured by the total qualification time, whilst the depth and complexity of the qualification assessment is indicated by the Level (e.g. 2, 3, 4 etc.).

For example:

• An Award has a total qualification time of 120 hours or less.
• A Certificate has a total qualification time of 121-369 hours.
• A Diploma has a total qualification time of 370 hours or more.

The FPA’s qualifications are awarded by awarding organisations that are regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), and include:

Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment: this qualification provides learners with the knowledge suitable for fire risk assessors defined as a ‘competent person’ by the UK Government’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment: this qualification, aimed at intermediate level practitioners, provides learners with further depth of learning of principles and concepts for carrying out fire risk assessments in all but the most complex buildings.

Level 2 Award in Passive Fire Protection – Foundation: this qualification is suitable for any trade carrying out property maintenance or refurbishment. It offers an entry-level understanding of how an individual’s work may impact the fire safety protection built into the building structure.

Level 3 Award in Passive Fire Protection – Intermediate: developed for those with a basic knowledge of passive fire protection and the responsibility of overseeing the correct application of passive fire protection and associated products, this qualification is aimed at learners who need to apply the principles of passive fire protection to ensure the structural integrity of built-in fire protection is maintained. It is suited to those managing contractors and for upskilling fire risk assessors.

Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection: this qualification provides the underpinning knowledge necessary to determine whether a fire door set is fit for purpose and to advise a client or employer if a door or its component parts fail to meet the required standard. The course provides learners with the knowledge to identify relevant products and understand their relationship to the performance of the door, as well as explain the relevant regulations and guidance.

FPA Head of Training, Kelly Donoghue said: “The launch of our new Level 3 Fire Safety Training qualification marks an important milestone in supporting the competency agenda for organisations as it is designed to meet employers’ needs whilst providing industry professionals with key knowledge and understanding. Along with our Training Delivery Team, I am excited to welcome learners onto this qualification which has been developed because of the high demand for our Train the Trainer course to become an OFQUAL registered qualification.”