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» 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
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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 .
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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
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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 .
www . fdmltd . co . uk / training-academy
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