FireQual News

Both BAFE and FireQual are deeply saddened by the death of Jonathan O’Neill OBE, Managing Director of the Fire Protection Association (FPA). Jonathan has been such an influential person in the advancement of competence within the fire protection sector. His career and dedication are testament to his character, with a level of integrity that is hard to match. In 2017, as many will already be aware, Jonathan was awarded an OBE for services to fire safety. While extremely prestigious, this o...

FireQual, the specialist Awarding Organization for the fire safety sector, is pleased to announce Darren Ellis as their new Qualifications Manager. Darren is a well-known expert within the regulatory and qualification development sector with over 15 years of teaching and training national and international experience. Most recently, he has supported the creation of the Military Qualifications Center (MQC) in Abu Dhabi to provide qualifications for the United Arab Emirates Safety, Defense and Em...

The FireQual Awarding Organization is proud to announce that they have achieved Ofqual approval. FireQual shall now be offering both Ofqual and SQA Regulated Qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. Lewis Ramsay, FireQual Chair, said: “This is a great milestone for FireQual, and we thank Ofqual for recognizing that making fire safety qualifications as accessible as possible for the industry is an important aspect to benefit the future safety of the built environ...

Both FireQual and BAFE are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was a bastion of integrity and service to the United Kingdom, which both FireQual and BAFE profoundly respected. Her death is a huge loss for everyone. respects and condolences The Queen had a strong link to the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh (where FireQual and BAFE are based), having officially opened the site in May 1974. Both give respects and condolences go out to The Royal Fam...

FireQual is proud to support the WorldSkills UK Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition. WorldSkills UK is delighted to launch the new Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition, run in partnership with Skills for Security. As well as offering apprentices the chance to boost their skills, they also have the unique possibility of competing at the ‘international skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. Undergoing intensive training The competition, which kicked off in May at the I...

FireQual are proud to support the WorldSkills UK Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition. WorldSkills UK is delighted to launch the new Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition, run in partnership with Skills for Security. As well offering apprentices the chance to boost their skills, they also have the unique possibility of competing at the ‘international skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. Undergoing intensive training The competition, which kicked off in May at the IFS...

FireQual is pleased to announce its latest appointment to the Senior Management Team. Steve Skarratt, in their new position as Qualifications Manager, joins the organization from his former role as Head of Prevention and Protection Training at The Fire Service College. Throughout his career, Steve has been heavily involved in training and development including acting as Interim Head of Learning and Development at the College, and prior to that, Curriculum and Qualifications Manager at the Fire...

FireQual is pleased to announce its latest appointment to the Senior Management Team. Steve Skarratt, in their new position as Qualifications Manager, joins the organization from his former role as Head of Prevention and Protection Training at The Fire Service College. Throughout his career, Steve has been heavily involved in training and development including acting as Interim Head of Learning and Development at the College, and before that, Curriculum and Qualifications Manager at the Fire Pr...

FireQual is pleased to announce its latest appointment to the Senior Management Team. Steve Skarratt, in their new position as Qualifications Manager, joins the organization from his former role as Head of Prevention and Protection Training at The Fire Service College. Throughout his career, Steve has been heavily involved in training and development including acting as Interim Head of Learning and Development at the College, and before that, Curriculum and Qualifications Manager at the Fire Pr...

BAFE and FireQual joint statement on the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire (14/06/2017). Both BAFE and FireQual remember the Grenfell Tower fire and on this day would like to pay respects to all affected individuals of this disastrous event. BAFE’s remit to define the competency of organizations working within the sector has a primary focus on life safety. While damage limitation to the building is also desired, mitigating risk to life is the key factor here. Building Saf...

Both BAFE and FireQual remember the Grenfell Tower fire and on this day would like to pay respects to all affected individuals of this disastrous event. In BAFE’s remit to define the competency of organizations working within the sector, this has a primary focus on life safety. Whilst damage limitation to the building is also desired, mitigating risk to life is the key factor here. Employing competent people Recent developments following the fire have been steps in the right direction....

Nic Preston, Director of Qualifications – FireQual, discusses the work of Fire Industry Training Academy Ltd. and their new association with FireQual with Director, Gareth Selway. Nic Preston: Can you describe the work of Fire Industry Training Academy Ltd. and how you support the fire safety industry? Gareth: The “Fire Industry Training Academy” was founded to create a positive long-lasting legacy for the fire industry, raising the standard of workmanship, competenc...

II Aspire has been working with Skills for Security and other professionals across the Fire industry to review the National Occupational Standards in Mechanical Fire Protection. ​These standards relate to any non-electrical device used for fire protection such as, sprinklers; gas systems; water mist and powder; foam and chemical systems; dry and wet risers; fire mains. Industry best practice They are now consulting on the content of the National Occupational Standards to determine whether the...

As an organization invested in industry-led qualifications developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of individuals working within the fire safety sector, FireQual sees the development of a fire and security apprenticeship in Wales as a key step forward in demonstrating the importance of education and training within fire safety. FireQual Chair, Lewis Ramsay, commented on this latest development, "Since its inception, FireQual has been keen to not only provide a new generation of qualific...

As an organization invested in industry-led qualifications developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of individuals working within the fire safety sector, FireQual sees the development of a fire and security apprenticeship in Wales as a key step forward in demonstrating the importance of education and training within fire safety. Authority comment FireQual Chair, Lewis Ramsay, commented on this latest development, “Since its inception, FireQual has been keen to not only provide a n...

Nic Preston, Director of Qualifications of FireQual, discusses the work of Fire Doors Complete Ltd. and their new association with FireQual with MD, Neil Ashdown. Nic Preston: Can you describe the work of Fire Doors Complete Ltd. and how you support the fire safety industry? Neil: At Fire Doors Complete we specialize in fire doors and helping building operators comply with the legal requirements of the 2005 Fire Safety Order. Not just building operators but we help all that manufactu...

A new qualification is now available for delivery by FireQual Approved Training Centers. This new qualification provides individuals with knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with fire in the workplace, how fire risk is controlled in the workplace, the principles and practice of fire safety management at work and the role of the nominated fire marshal. Basic fire fighting equipment This new qualification also requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to safely use portable fi...

A new qualification is available for delivery by FireQual Approved Training Centers. This new qualification provides individuals with knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with fire in the workplace, how fire risk is controlled in the workplace, the principles and practice of fire safety management at work, and the role of the nominated fire marshal. New qualification available This new qualification also requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to safely use portable fire fi...

FireQual is developing a qualification that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge and the skills required by those who work within the area of fire door installation. In addition, reflecting on the core messages of the reports, Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (May 2018) and Setting the Bar (2020), FireQual will be looking at how core practical competencies of individuals can be accurately and consistently assessed. FireQual t...

FireQual is developing a qualification that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge and the skills required by those who work within the area of fire door installation. In addition, reflecting on the core messages of the reports, Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (May 2018) and Setting the Bar (2020), FireQual will be looking at how core practical competencies of individuals can be accurately and consistently assessed. FireQual t...

After 12 successful years as BAFE’s CEO, and latterly as CEO and Director of FireQual, BAFE announces that Stephen Adams has stepped down from the business (with effect from 7th September 2021). Stephen joined BAFE in 2009, and oversaw the move into our current offices within the Fire Service College at Morton-in-Marsh, where he has been central to the development of the business and the respect it has within the UK fire market.  BAFE SP206 Kitchen Fire Protection Systems Stephen h...

FireQual, the specialist Awarding Body for the fire protection industry has qualifications that act as eligibility criteria for the FESS (Fire, Emergency and Security Systems) Systems Operative Card in Fire as part of the ECS Card Scheme. Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), administered by the Joint Industry Board for the Electrotechnical Industry, is a CSCS Partner Scheme covering the electrotechnical sector and includes more than 175,0...

II Aspire has been granted a contract from Skills Development Scotland to carry out a review of the Mechanical Fire Protection National Occupational Standards (NOS) last reviewed in 2014. As these standards are applicable across the United Kingdom, they will be working with a range of national and local organizations from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. National Occupational Standards National Occupational Standards (NOS) specify the standards of performance individuals must a...

Dame Judith Hackitt commented in her report, Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (May 2018) that there is a, “lack of a coherent approach to competence levels and experience required - or professional qualifications where these may be necessary – and how these qualifications and experience should be evidenced so that they are clearly understood by all those operating within the system.” It was also noted in the same report...

Following the success of FireQual in gaining regulated status from both CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and SQA Accreditation in Scotland, are not standing still. Attention is now turning to the subject matter of Fire Detection and Alarms. FireQual is developing a series of qualifications that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge required by those who work within the area of fire detection and alarms. industry-led qualifications In addition, reflecting on the core messages of t...

CLD Standards Council Scotland have been granted a contract from Skills Development Scotland to carry out a review of the Learning & Development National Occupational Standards (NOS) which were last reviewed in 2010. As these standards are applicable across the United Kingdom, the CLD Standards Council Scotland have been working with a range of national and local organizations from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales during the revision process. Focus groups Focus groups were c...

Nic Preston, Qualifications Manager – FireQual, discusses the work of Skills for Security and their new association with FireQual with Managing Director, David Scott. Nic Preston: Can you describe the work of Skills for Security and how you support the fire safety industry? David Scott: Skills for Security are the largest fire and security apprenticeship provider in the UK. Well known as a nationwide provider we offer training across the length and breadth of England. With a main b...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the FIA (Fire Industry Association) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual was established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry.  FireQual is pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQAA) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety with the initial offering...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual was established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. FireQual’s development FireQual is pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQAA) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety w...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the FIA (Fire Industry Association) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual has been established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. They are pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQA Accreditation) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety with the initial o...