Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) are fundamental elements of a Fire Safety Strategy, designed to protect lives and property by providing early warnings of potential fire hazards. Our training courses cover all aspects of FDAS, including design, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance in order to have attendees provide services in full compliance with I.S.3218:2024. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of system development, detection and alarm alarm components, and best practice advice to ensure conformance with both the written standard and its intent. Whether you are a Fire Officer; Fire Consultant; Consulting Engineer, Architect Technician, Service Engineer, or Facility Manager, our courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep buildings and occupants safe through effective fire detection and response.
Courses designed to enhance your knowledge and ensure compliance.
Check the Courses Structure and Key Topics.
PCCE Training (Paul Condron Consulting Engineer Ltd)
Paul Condron
Frank Pierce
I.S.3218:2013 is now well-established, and while it doesn’t feature radical changes compared to the 2009 revision, there are still many updates and clarifications that make this Standard significantly different. These updates require a review course for all parties involved in the FDAS (Fire Detection and Alarm System) process.
PCCE Training has successfully delivered the original I.S.3218:2009 course to over 1,000 attendees in the past years. This updated Review Course follows the revision of the Standard in 2015 and has been attended by over 250 professionals, including many fire officers across Ireland. The course has evolved in 2016 to cater to all individuals involved in the FDAS process, whether or not they previously attended the original course.
This 1-day Review Course aims to update users of the 1989 and 2009 Standards with the changes in the revised I.S.3218:2013 Standard. It is designed to help attendees:
The course will cover the new or amended sections of the Standard, especially the significant changes regarding System Service and Maintenance. Other areas to be addressed include:
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Scope and Legislation
Module 3: FDAS Design Process
Module 4: Design Process
Module 5: Design and Certification
Module 6A: Detailed Design
Module 7: Limiting False Alarms
Module 8: Residential Application
Module 9: Installation, Commissioning
Module 10: User Responsibilities
Module 11: Service and Maintenance
This course is essential for anyone involved in the FDAS process, and it will benefit all parties who need to continue providing services in compliance with the revised I.S.3218:2013 Standard. This includes:
There will be an open-book test based on the course material. To receive certification, attendees must achieve a passing mark in the test.
Paul Condron
Frank Pierce
For detailed pricing and to register, please contact PCCE Training.
3-Day Fire Detection and Alarm System, 3rd Party Certificate Course
Incorporating the Irish National Standard I.S. 3218:2024
PCCE Course Reference: F2
This course is developed to take attendees through the Theory and Design of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS). While it includes a thorough review of the National Standard, the course extends well beyond this to benefit both those with limited knowledge and those with prior or extensive experience.
Though not QQI-certified, the course is developed to NFQ Level 6 (Special Purpose) and equips participants with in-depth understanding of:
FDAS design process
Correct installation methods and procedures
Commissioning and handover processes
Responsibilities of all parties involved
User actions and servicing/maintenance of fire alarm systems
Now updated to reflect changes in I.S.3218:2024.
This course equips participants with the knowledge and demonstrable ability to contribute to the:
Fire Safety Strategy
Design
Installation
Commissioning
Servicing of Fire Alarm Systems
Module 1: Foundation Module
The Fundamentals of Fire Safety
Escape and Evacuation Criteria
Module 2: Designer Responsibility – Fire Safety Risk Assessment
Contractual and Legislative responsibilities in FDAS design
Importance of risk assessment
Defining scope of work
Fire Safety Strategy:
Fire Compartmentation
Fire Safety Certificate
Module 3: I.S. 3218:2024 Scope and Legislation
Legal status of the Standard
Legislative need for FDAS Design and Maintenance
Competence and I.S.EN16763
Module 4: FDAS System Design and Implementation Process
Overview of Design, Installation, Commissioning, and Maintenance
Understanding project scope:
Purely I.S.3218 actions
Ancillary interfaces
FDAS Designer obligations
Module 5: Automatic Fire Detection
Properties and propagation of fire
Detector types and applications:
Smoke, Heat, Flame, Gas, Multi-sensor
Module 6: Alarm Devices
Sound and alarm device characteristics
Calculating dB(A)
Visual Alarm Devices (Traditional Strobes and VADs – ISEN54-23)
Impact on installations
Voice Alarm Systems – VES and PAVA
Tactile Alarm Devices
Module 7: FDAS System Types
Conventional Systems
Intelligent/Addressable Systems
Open and Closed Protocols
Radio-based systems
Networking
Module 8: Installer Activities
Materials and workmanship
Installer responsibilities
Module 9: Detailed Design Stages (Spans Day 2 & 3)
Existing Installations
System Selection
Circuit Design
Zone Design and Communications
Cause and Effect
Protection Categories
Manual Call Points
Voids and Shafts
Module 9 (continued):
Detector Siting and Spacing (Workshop)
Extended Coverage and Spacing (Workshop)
Design Options
Alarm Device Design:
Strobes and VADs
Air Sampling
Intrinsically Safe & Hazardous Areas
Module 10: Preventing False Alarms
Design responsibilities in reducing false alarms
Causes and analysis
Response to faults/alarms
Module 11: Residential Applications
Application of TGD(B) – 2020 and 2024
Purpose Groups 1 and 2
Dwellings, Apartment Buildings, Carparks
Module 12: Commissioning
Commissioning process review
Testing and certification
Party responsibilities
Module 13 & 14: User Responsibilities / Service and Maintenance
User responsibilities
Importance of specifications
Contractor records
User records
Logbook entries
Contractor qualifications and competence
This course is designed for anyone involved in the FDAS process seeking high-level knowledge and expertise.
Ideal for:
Fire Officers
Designers
Contractors
Users
It provides a strong foundation to build on existing skills. Completion of this course is increasingly being used as a benchmark of competence for service providers.
Exam Duration: 2.75 hours (Separate day from course)
Open-book portions (refer to I.S.3218)
Closed-book section with negative marking (raises PASS level to 70%)
Grading Scale:
Pass: 60% – 74%
Merit: 75% – 89%
Distinction: 90% – 100%
Attendees are encouraged to study course notes and the Standard before sitting the exam.
Paul Condron
EurIng, BE, CEng, MCIBSE, FConsEI, MIEI
Chartered Engineer
Registered Consulting Engineer
Registered Training Provider – Engineers Ireland
NUI Galway Certified Course Developer & Trainer
50 years experience in Building Services Design
Member, NSAI WG3218 (2003–2021)
Member, NSAI WG3217 (2009–2021)
Course Title:
1-day I.S.3218:2024 Design Update Review
Incorporating I.S.3218:2024 – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Course Reference: F7
PCCE Training (Paul Condron Consulting Engineer Ltd)
Paul Condron
PCCE Training has delivered both the 1-day I.S.3218 Standard Review and the 3-day Design Course to many attendees over the past 15 years. This new course is developed specifically for those who have completed training in the past and/or have substantial experience with the previous standards.
The course has been revised to reflect significant updates in the I.S.3218:2024 Standard, along with changes in Building Regulations – TGD(B) 2024 that directly impact Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS).
This 1-day Review Course is designed to update current users of I.S.3218 with changes introduced in the 2024 revision, enabling participants to:
Understand the changes to the Standard
Examine working examples of new design criteria
Continue delivering FDAS-related services in compliance with the updated standard
Key updates include:
Section-by-section review of I.S.3218:2024 and changes from previous issues
Introduction of new I.S.EN 54-23 standards
TGD(B) specifications for apartments
Amended Normative Completion Documents
Inclusion of a PCCE FDAS Specification Template
Overview, Scope, Transition
Recap of Design Course principles
FDAS system functions
Impact of TGD(B) 2024
Review of available categories
Cable systems
Circuit design
Monitoring
Fault effect parameters
Standard changes
Identification
Design changes
Identification
Conventional systems
Voice Alarm Systems (VACIE)
Alarm device changes
Visual Alarm Devices (VADs)
New standard parameters
Worked examples
Manual Call Points
Power supplies and duration
Signals to ARC
Cause and Effect review
Coincidence Detection
Areas of Low Fire Risk
Ceiling irregularities
Northlights / Lanterns
Beams
Honeycomb ceilings
Extended detector siting and spacing (with worked examples)
Design options and considerations
Summary of changes
TGD(B) overview
Purpose groups 2(a), 2(b), 1(c)
Domestic-grade device changes
Apartments
Prerequisite:
A working knowledge of previous I.S.3218 Standards is required.
This course is recommended for all professionals involved in any aspect of FDAS-related works, to ensure compliance with the revised requirements of I.S.3218:2024.
Enforcement
Fire Officers
Planners
Designers
Fire Engineering Consultants
Building Services Consulting Engineers
Fire Consultants
Architects
FDAS System Designers and Providers
Installers
Contractors responsible for FDAS cabling and system installation
Participants will complete an open-book test based on the material presented during the course. A pass mark is required for certification.
Paul Condron
Chartered Building Services Engineer
Registered Consulting Engineer
Over 50 years’ experience in fire alarm system design and specification
NSAI Fire Safety Standards Committee Member (2005–2021)
Course developer and presenter
All participants who complete the course and achieve a pass in the test will receive a PCCE Training Award Certificate.
This course qualifies for 1-day CPD from Engineers Ireland (subject to approval following course submittal).
Course Reference: PCCE_F8
This course is designed to provide Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) Service Providers (SP) with comprehensive knowledge regarding their obligations and actions when delivering compliant services to FDAS installations. The course also includes practical demonstrations on generic FDAS components and test equipment.
This course is a revised version of the previous 2-day Service Provider Course, with an emphasis on the practical aspects of FDAS servicing. As a result, the theory section from Day 1 has been omitted.
Participants should have a good understanding of the I.S. 3218:2013 Standard. It is strongly recommended that this be achieved either through previous experience and product training or by attending the PCCE 1-day FDAS Review Course or other similar courses.
By the end of the course, attendees will:
This 1-day FDAS Service Provider Course offers both theoretical knowledge and practical training to ensure that Service Providers are fully equipped to meet the requirements of the I.S.3218:2013 and I.S.EN16763 standards. The course is ideal for those looking to enhance their expertise and ensure compliance in servicing Fire Detection and Alarm Systems.
FDAS Wiring and Installation Guidelines
Incorporating I.S.3218:2024 – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Course Reference: F11
PCCE Training (Paul Condron Consulting Engineer Ltd)
Paul Condron
This ½-day course is specifically designed for installers of wiring and infrastructure related to Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS).
By the end of the session, participants will:
Be aware of the relevant elements of the Irish Standard I.S.3218:2024 as they relate to wiring and infrastructure.
Understand the technical obligations of FDAS wiring system installers.
Review ‘grey areas’ that arise when a full design is not provided by other parties.
Examine the potential design responsibilities of installers.
Recognize their statutory responsibilities and obligations under I.S.3218.
Identify compliant vs non-compliant wiring systems.
Understand procedures for testing and certification.
Learn the importance of records and safety files.
Gain practical installation guidelines applicable to FDAS projects.
Course Overview
Design responsibilities
Contracts, sub-contracts, and associated responsibilities
Overview of I.S.3218 responsibilities for installers
Cable types and selection
Cable supports and containment
Responsibilities Template
Device supply and testing procedures
Documentation and compliance
Inclusion in Safety File
Device installation best practices
Common issues and how to avoid them
Electrical Contractors
FDAS Contractors involved in wiring and installation
This course is ideal for professionals who need a clear understanding of how to apply I.S.3218:2024 wiring requirements in practical installations.
Paul Condron
Chartered Building Services Engineer
Registered Consulting Engineer
Over 48 years’ experience in fire alarm system design and specification
Member of NSAI Fire Safety Standards Committee
Course Developer and Presenter
All attendees who complete the course will receive a PCCE Training Award Certificate confirming successful participation in the FDAS Wiring and Installation Guidelines training.
Trusted Experts in Fire Safety and Construction Legislation.
