» PURPOSE BUILT , THE 3,000FT ² Training Academy in Bury ,

Greater Manchester has

been launched by Fire Door

Maintenance ( FDM ) to raise

safety standards across the

industry . Comprising different

types of fire doors and

components from a range of

manufacturers , the facility will

provide a dedicated space

for hands-on training plus

classrooms for theory-based

learning .

Accredited by GQA

Qualifications , an awarding

body for specialist and occupational

roles , the Academy

will offer a variety of courses .

The first to launch will be a

fire door inspector course ,

followed by a course centred

on fire door maintenance , and

another focusing on fire door

installation . After completion ,

participants will receive a GQA

skills card .

As well as ensuring compliance

with the latest fire safety

regulation , the accredited

training will respond to the

Hackitt report ’ s recommendations

following the Grenfell

Tower fire . The inquiry into the

tragedy revealed fire doors

didn ’ t perform as expected . Out

of the 120 doors in the building ,

106 had been replaced and

comprised different hardware

from the tested door .

A variety of fire safety

awareness courses will also

be on offer for anyone wishing

to learn more about the latest

legislation and how to raise

safety standards such as

merchants , architects , facilities

managers , locksmiths and

representatives from housing

associations , local authorities

and the fire rescue service .

Owned by UAP , FDM is led by former business consultant Nicola John who has two decades of experience in the door manufacturing and construction industry .

Commenting on the opening Nicola said : “ The Training Academy is the first to offer practical fire door training in the largest centre of its kind . The Hackitt report underlined the importance of the ‘ golden thread ’ and this is at the centre of our specialist training . Each course will underline how vital it is to source primary test evidence and the risk of changing or substituting components in a fire door .

“ Providing access to fire doors and components from a range of manufacturers is a key element of the training . All fire doors are made slightly differently which means they need to be inspected differently too . Training participants will learn the nuances of each product and how to identify and fix any issues .”

The Training Academy was formally opened by Councillor Sandra Walmsley , Mayor of Bury at a ribbon cutting ceremony . The event was also attended by Bury Council leader , Councillor Eamonn O ’ Brien .

Dan Brown , strategic relationship manager at GQA Qualifications said : “ The launch of FDM ’ s Training Academy is exceptionally timely , coinciding with a significant phase of introspection within the construction industry . This introspection , fuelled by the demands of the Building Safety Act 2022 , aims to enhance overall quality , compliance , and competence following a series of tragic events resulting in devastating loss of life .

“ GQA Qualifications is proud to support FDM as it embarks on its mission to deliver rigorous training and qualifications to the industry . These offerings , awarded by GQA , are designed with meticulous assessment and learning content to address the life-safety risks associated with fire safety doors in buildings .

“ The Training Academy serves as a model of accomplishment , showcasing what is possible with the appropriate determination , concentration , and commitment to enhance

training in a specific yet vital sector .”

As part of FDM ’ s offer , the Academy will also be used to provide bespoke training for the company ’ s own operatives . This workforce is available to housing associations and local authorities seeking to outsource fire door inspections , maintenance and installations .

Before any work begins , details of the manufacturers of the fire doors within a building are sourced . This information is provided to FDM ’ s operatives at the Training Academy ensuring they know exactly what to look out for during the inspection , including any potential risks .

A total of 400 operatives are available across the UK for this ‘ boots on the ground ’ service . With extensive experience of the door manufacturing industry , the operatives can also work alongside software providers , complementing their service and providing additional information such as the test evidence , for reporting purposes .

Doors and components in the new Training Academy have been provided by Harlow Timber Group , West Port , Latham ’ s Steel Doors , Unity Doors , Permadoor , Strongdor , The Sovereign Group , NSG Group , DoorCo , Rutland , Mann McGowan , Lorient , PDS , and Contactless Check Solutions , IG , GGF , Pilkingtons , Nordan , PWIDF and Specialist Door Solutions .

42 MARCH 2024

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM