PCCE Training Register of Course Awards:
PCCE Training has been promoting the requirement for all parties involved in the Fire Detection andAlarm (FDAS) Process to be able to demonstrate Competence in respect of the activities they undertake. This is a requirement of the Irish Standard I.S.3218 and is also the fundamental issue that would be investigated should there be any legal enquiry in relation to an FDAS system.
One element of competence is attendance at relevant product and technical Courses and Seminars.While attendance at any such events can never make any party competent, a well-prepared and delivered course should provide attendees with a sound basis to increase and develop their competence.
For this reason PCCCE Training is providing details of our course attendees who achieved at least a PASS grade in the following courses:
3-day FDAS 3rd-party Certified Course (F2)
3 day I.S. 3218:2013 3rd Party Certificate (F2)
The following course is developed to take attendees through the Theory and Design 0f Fire Detection and Alarm (Fire Alarm) systems. The course will benefit persons with both limited knowledge and those with previous experience.
The Third-party Certified Theory/Design course (3 x 1 day sessions) is developed to NFQ Level 6 (Special Purpose) and will take participants to a stage where they have an in-depth knowledge of the process of Fire Detection and Alarm system design; correct installation methods and procedures; the commissioning and handover process; the responsibilities of all parties involved in the process; the User actions and the actions relating to the Service and Maintenance of Fire Alarm systems.
The course has now been updated to take account of the changes in the I.S.3218:2013 Standard which was released in December 2013.
Certificate Theory/Design Course Learning Objectives:
This Theory/Design Course will equip participants with the knowledge and the demonstrable ability to contribute to the Fire Safety Strategy, Design, Installation, Commissioning and Servicing of Fire Alarm System. This course will include the following: The characteristics of fire The theory of Fire Detection and Alarm systems Understanding of the Irish Standard I.S.3218:2013 The Fire Alarm System Process – design, installation, commissioning, handover and service/maintenance. The theoretical aspects of system components (alarm, detection, control and ancillary) A detailed review and analysis of the principals of fire detection and alarm system design Requirements for residential Fire Alarm systems The principals of installation. (The course will not cover the details of electrical wiring systems or power systems connections) The Limitation of False Alarms The Commissioning of a Fire Alarm system The responsibilities of Users The Service, Maintenance and Verification of Fire Alarm systems Certification.
This course will benefit both experienced Designers and those will limited prior learning.
Who Should Attend:
This course is aimed at all parties in the FDAS process who wish to attain a high level of knowledge and expertise in this area. It provides an excellent, high-level basis to develop existing skills and experience. The course has attracted almost 200 attendees to date from all areas in the FDAS spectrum including Fire Officers; Designers; Contractors and Users. The course feedback has been excellent and some parties are using the successful completion of this course as part of their benchmarking for the competence of those offering services to them.
Those who have achieved the 3rd party Certification award are included on the PCCE website www,pcce.ie
Course Evaluation/Examination:
The Certificate Theory/Design Course will have a 2.5-hour examination and participants will be allowed to refer to the I.S.3218:2013 Standard for portions of this test. Other sections of the test will be ‘closed book’. It will take place after the course has been completed to allow attendees to study their notes and the Standard in advance and in their own time. Course achievement levels for Theory examinations are: Pass: 60% - 74% Merit: 75% - 89% Distinction: 90% - 100%
Course Developers and Tutors:
Paul Condron – EurIng, BE, CEng, MCIBSE, FConsEI, M IEI, Chartered Engineer Registered Consulting Engineer Registered Training Provider for Engineers Ireland NUI Galway certified course developer and training provider Over 35 years experience in the Building Services Design Member of the NSAI WG3218 working committee for the I.S.3218 Standard Member of the NSAI WG3217 working committee for the I.S.3217 Standard
Frank Pierce – Tech IEI: Over 30 years experience in the Fire Industry Experienced Course developer and training provider Consultant to Apollo Fire Member of the NSAI WG3218 working committee for the I.S.3218 Standard Irish Representative for the EN54 European Committee
2-day Service Provider Course (F3)
I.S.3218 2-Day Service Provider Course (F3)
Course Outline
Course Reference: PCCE Training_F3 Course Title: I.S.3218:2013 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, 2-day Service Provider Course. Developed by and copyright Paul Condron Consulting Engineer Ltd (PCCE). Tutors: Paul Condon; Frank Pierce; Liam O’Keeffe
Overview:
I.S.3218 the Irish National Standard for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings - System Design, Installation, Servicing and Maintenance was updated in 2009 and most recently in December 2013. Both revisions to the original 1989 document include significant changes.
The Fire Alarm process has been overhauled and now requires a fundamentally different approach to the design and implementation process. Fire Alarm systems are now designed with Life Safety as the primary objective.
As part of these changes, there is now a very strong emphasis on FDAS Service and Maintenance. I.S.3218:2013 now dictates very specific requirements and obligations on Service and Maintenance providers.
Course Aim:
From experience PCCE in both our Training and Consultancy roles, have seen the impact of poor Service and Maintenance and the impact of this on both the FDAS operation and equally on the competent Service Providers who are often excluded from contracts by virtue of their attempts to carry out the works in accordance with the Standard.
Our objectives with this course are: Develop the expertise of participants through a well-developed and presented Course. Provide a full update on the I.S.3218:2013 requirements for a Service Provider. Clearly define the roles of ‘Service’ and ‘Maintenance’ providers. Provide sufficient FDAS theory to allow successful participants to carry out their duties under the Standard Provide hands-on Practical and generic FDAS training. NOTE: Specific product training is not included. Have participants carry out both Theory and Practical tests which will be graded and success rates recorded.
Course Programme:
Part 1: Theory
These modules will specifically reference the elements of the standard that must be understood by Service Providers. Module 1: Introduction Module 2: Design Basics Module 3: Limitation of False Alarms – Service party responsibilities Module 4: Installation, Commissioning Module 5: Service and Maintenance Module 6: User Responsibilities Module 7: Residential Applications Further details on Learning Outcomes are available
Part 2: Practical Application
Module 1: Course Objectives and Service Preparation Module 2: Practical review of type of systems Module 3: Trigger and Alarm Devices Module 4: Service Methods Module 5: Service equipment Module 6: Service Records Further details on Learning Outcomes are available
Course Evaluation:
There will be two tests on this course: Theory: an open-book written test on Part 1 of the course Practical: assessment-based practical tests on Part 2 of the course Both tests must achieve PASS in order for the participant to be awarded a course ‘PASS’ result
Who should attend?
The course is aimed at contractors who are carrying out or intend to carry out either Service work on FDAS installations. The course will address some elements of the Maintenance operations but will not provide sufficient system-specific training that is needed for Maintenance operations. Such training can be obtained from system providers/manufacturers.
Registration of Successful Participants:
PCCE Training is actively promoting the Registration of all parties involved in the FDAS process. We are therefore including a Registration section on our PCCE website that will reference all successful participants – i.e. those who attain PASS or higher grades in the course tests.
Registration of Successful Participants: PCCE Training is actively promoting the Registration of all parties involved in the FDAS process. We are therefore including a Registration section on our PCCE website that will reference all successful participants – i.e. those who attain PASS or higher grades in the course tests. PCCE is in discussion with and has received preliminary agreement for the current 3rd party registration bodies to accept this course as an acceptable entry requirement to a 3rd Party Service Register that they will establish. Further developments in this regard will be announced soon. PCCE believes that a 3rd party Service Provider Registration process is essential to establish competence in the FDAS Service process and to provide a standard against which all Service providers will be benchmarked.
Tutor Profiles:
Paul Condon: Chartered Building Services Engineer; Registered Consulting Engineer. Almost 40 years experience in the design and specification of fire Alarm systems. NSAI Fire Safety Standards committee member. Course developer and presenter. Frank Pierce: Over 35 years experience in design, installation, systems development, commissioning and service/maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems. NSAI Fire Safety Standards committee member. European (I.S.EN 54) Irish Representative. Course developer and presenter. Liam O’Keeffe: Over 30 years experience at all levels of installation; commissioning and design.
Learning Objectives:
Part 1: Theory
Module 1: Introduction: Legislative Status Relevant Definitions Reference documents
Module 2: Design Basics – will detail the following as required by Service/Maintenance providers: The FDAS Implementation Process which now forms the basis for the application of the Standard. FDAS system Categories FDAS zoning Spacing and siting of devices System protocol Certification Will includes Workshops to emphasise practical aspects of the design process
Module 3: Limitation of False Alarms: Analysis of the Standard Review the obligations and responsibilities of Service/Maintenance providers which are significant.
Module 4: Installation, Commissioning Reviews the main elements of Installation and Commissioning.
Module 5: Service and Maintenance Obligations of the Provider Information needed to tender or cost a project Defining a scope of Service Role in Limitation of False Alarms Analysing Fire Log/Fire Register entries Record keeping
Module 6: User Responsibilities Overview of User obligations and the interface with the Service/Maintenance Provider.
Module 7: Residential Brief review of Service and Maintenance of Residential systems
Part 2: Practical Application
Module 1: Course objectives & Service preparation Terms & Definitions Preparation & consequences of poor records Procedures Health and Safety (H&S)
Module 2: Practical review of: Conventional Systems Intelligent Addressable Systems Wireless or Radio Systems Detection in Fire Suppression Systems Network Systems Communications, Open & Closed protocols
Module 3: Trigger and Alarm Devices Sensors and input devices Outputs and Third Party devices Voice Alarm Equipment Hazardous Area Equipment
Module 4: Service Methods Service Vs Maintenance Service and Test equipment Avoiding False alarms, things to watch for Cause & Effect Program Analogue Readings Practical and hands on session
Module 5: Service Records What to record How to record it Annexes
These courses were chosen as the assessments are comprehensive and therefore achieving a PASS rate (over 60%) is an achievement. For information, the failure rates on the Certificate course were 15% - 20%. On the Service Provider Course the failure rates were approximately 10%.
The award and achievement is to the individual and not to the Organisation or company. However, for commercial reasons we have included the employer’s name on the date the course was completed. If any individual changes employers, the organisation or company name will be changed on request.
All listed parties have agreed to have their details published on this PCCE website