Fire protection industry installation professionals must now hold the IQ Level 2 Certificate in Fire Sprinkler Installation, supported by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA).
The announcement came in late June as part of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CSC) 2025 Vision. Card schemes that carry the CSCS logo, including SKILLcard, must only certify those occupations with nationally recognised construction-related qualifications, including NVQs or approved equivalents.
This requirement will eventually be extended to those wishing to renew existing cards. A date has not yet been determined.
Certification is now also required for medical equipment installers, albeit with a completely different educational scheme than that of our industry.
Certification is an Investment in Yourself
While this adds a step – as well as both a monetary and time commitment for the one week course – installers should consider this an investment in their futures and, if a business owner, in their business. Recertification will also be required when card renewals come in the future.
The move has sparked controversy, to be sure. Certification is for the individual, not the overall business, yet companies will be making a threefold investment – continuing to pay the wages of employees during the week they are taking the course, paying for the course itself and realizing any losses associated with less installers on the job site.
We ask you to consider the fact that such certification automatically lifts the reputation of those installers and the business overall. In the wake of fire events across the UK that have led to tragedy and put the construction industry under the microscope, certification provides any and all individuals involved in the business with a level of professionalism. Certification reflects a degree of competency.
The fire sprinkler industry is not a “victim” in this case. It is actually being lifted to the levels of professions that have required continuing education for decades. Give that a bit of thought the next time you visit your family physician or dentist. Even one who has been in his or her profession for many years is expected to have kept up with the times and know the latest techniques, procedures and medications.
It really is in the best interest of all concerned – the industry, the installer/installing business and, ultimately, the consumer.
Professionalism Across the Board
The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) is one of several sprinkler associations with which BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems is proud to partner. BAFSA is dedicated to ensuring that sprinkler systems are installed to the highest professional standards – one of the primary reasons for its certification course. The organization is marking its 45th anniversary in 2019.
BAFSA’s members already install approximately 85 percent of the fire sprinkler and watermist systems in the United Kingdom. A long list of manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, insurers, and fire and rescue services are also members.
In regard to its certification course, BAFSA has made the following statement: “We have developed a comprehensive qualification route which allows Fire Sprinkler Installers to demonstrate their competence via a formal qualification pathway. We offer a full course for individuals with less than four years’ experience. However, we have also recognised the value of time served professionals and as such also offer an experienced worker qualification for those with four years or more verifiable experience.”
This step shows the country that the fire protection industry is serious about its commitment to the safety of our citizens. It should also serve to weed out any potential bad apples among us.
