A delighted BSi, who are backing the initiative along with the BFPSA and BAFE, reports that just one hospital contract won among the architects, facilities managers and other construction specifiers attending the first course in Belfast required enough third party approval work to fund the whole series.
The BSi also believes the format is just right for the participants, each two-day event featuring eight seminars comprising 24 presentations on all the issues, products and solutions required to comply with legislation such as DDA and False Alarm Management. A panel of 10 manufacturers expert in their fields have been appointed by Gardiner to teach all the relevant subjects, from fire alarm detection systems, voice sounders, induction loop systems (DDA) to emergency lighting.
Under the terms of CPD (Continuous Professional Development), its 400,000 members must complete at least 35 hours of approved training in a year. Courses are extremely high quality, not least because CPD checks and approves the details of every presentation to ensure it meets its standards.
The construction industry is directly affected by reforms such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order due to be introduced in October 2006, which transfers the onus from the licensing authorities to the "Responsible Person" - the person who owns the premises or business or the person with control over the premises. The Fire Brigades are under strict instructions to enforce the legislation, with considerable fines for non-compliance.
"Apart from the strong interest in our events, we are delighted as much by the quality of the delegates," says Gardiner's Fire Product manager Peter Holmes, who put together the events for CPD. "Whatever their position in relation to the construction industry, be it design, building or management, they are directly involved in the specification and use of fire systems. These are the people who need the range of training we are providing."