Fire door training awards cap FDM year of recognition across construction sectors
Iain Hoey
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Fire door training gains recognition as FDM marks a year of growth
FDM – Training & Development (FDM by UAP Ltd) is marking a year of growth and national recognition, with activity linked to Manchester in December 2025.
The organisation said its year ended with three award wins across construction, glazing and fenestration.
It listed Fire Solution of the Year at the 2025 London Construction Awards.
It also listed Training and Development Initiative of the Year at the G25 Awards.
FDM added that it won Training Company of the Year at the 2025 National Fenestration Awards.
Fire door training roundtable and report
FDM said it convened a national roundtable on fire door competence chaired by its Managing Director, Nicola John.
The organisation said Dame Judith Hackitt attended as a guest speaker.
FDM said Hackitt also contributed to the foreword of its subsequent report.
The report described the organisation as “an exemplar of good practice”, according to FDM.
FDM said the discussion focused on translating the Building Safety Act’s intent into day-to-day behaviours across the entire fire door lifecycle.
Level 3 diplomas for inspection and installation
FDM said it launched two new qualifications developed with GQA Qualifications and the National Skills Centre.
The organisation named these as the GQA Level 3 Diploma in Inspection of Fire Resistant Doorsets and the GQA Level 3 Diploma in Installation of Fire Resistant Doorsets.
It said the Inspection diploma is a 65-credit qualification with 12 units and 313 guided learning hours.
FDM said the qualification certifies individuals to carry out non-invasive inspections, with emphasis on legislative compliance and practical assessment in live or simulated environments.
It said the Installation diploma comprises 11 core units, four optional units and 226 guided learning hours.
FDM said the qualification certifies installers as competent to install fire-resistant doorsets in line with current legislation and best practise.
Second academy planned with the FPA
FDM said it has partnered with the Fire Protection Association (FPA) to open a satellite academy at the FPA site in Banbury, Oxfordshire from January 2026.
The organisation said the site will host a selection of its courses including Responsible Persons, Fire Door Procurement, Fire Door Installation and Fire Door Awareness.
FDM said it will also deliver its Level 3 Diploma under licence at the facility.
It said the partnership will include reciprocal delivery between Bury and Banbury to widen pathways into competence.
Training volumes and approvals
FDM said it launched in 2024 as the UK’s first hands-on training academy dedicated solely to fire doors.
It said it has trained more than 1,200 professionals in 18 months.
FDM said it holds GQA accreditation and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) approval.
Nicola John, Managing Director, said: “The industry is backing what matters: practical competence that keeps people safe.
“From regulators to contractors, there has been a clear momentum this year behind skills, accountability and confidence across the fire door sector.
“We’ll continue working with partners to turn regulatory intent into consistent, on-site practice.”
What this means for competence and compliance
Training officers and instructors may use the two Level 3 Diplomas as defined routes for fire door inspection and installation competence, with unit structures and guided learning hours set out by FDM.
Standards and certification bodies may note the roundtable and the published report described by FDM, including its focus on day-to-day behaviours across the fire door lifecycle under the Building Safety Act.
Fire-protection contractors and system installers may look at the Banbury, Oxfordshire satellite academy as an additional venue for courses such as Fire Door Installation and Fire Door Awareness from January 2026, alongside delivery between Bury and Banbury.
