A recent report by BRE for a local authority concluded that there were so many defects its fire doors that "it was not possible to conclude that the fire doors would meet the required 30-minute fire resistance".
The new course has been piloted by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) members, under a memorandum of understanding signed by BRE and LABC last year. It includes an exam that will enable building control surveyors who pass to be registered as accredited fire door assessors.
Building control inspectors are supposed to ensure that passive fire protection is correctly specified and installed.
BRE passive fire protection business group manager Stephen Howard said: “The correct specification and installation of passive fire protection is crucial to the safety of building occupants. The role of the ‘inspecting authorities’ is critical in ensuring that the correct products are installed to the correct standards of installation. We are pleased to support the efforts of the LABC by providing training in the inspection of fire doors. This can only lead to improvements in the overall standard of passive fire protection installation which will be welcomed by all involved in this industry.”
LABC Consult managing director Lorna Stimpson added: “The recent coroner’s enquiry into the Lakanal House fires in 2009 raised some significant issues both for local authorities and fire risk assessors. This training course in fire door safety helps us to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety of building users.”
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