UK’s pioneering practical training centre for fire door industry inaugurated in Bury

FDM launches innovative training academy

Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) has unveiled the UK’s inaugural practical training centre dedicated to enhancing fire safety standards within the fire door industry.

Situated in Bury, Greater Manchester, the state-of-the-art, 3,000ft² Training Academy offers a unique combination of hands-on training with various fire doors and components, alongside classroom-based theoretical learning.

Accredited by GQA Qualifications, the Academy is set to roll out several courses, starting with a fire door inspector course.

This initiative aims to ensure compliance with current fire safety regulations and respond to the Hackitt report’s recommendations following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Comprehensive training for fire safety enhancement

The facility’s accreditation by GQA Qualifications underscores its commitment to providing specialist training that meets occupational standards.

Upon completing the courses, participants will be awarded a GQA skills card, signifying their proficiency in fire door safety.

Nicola John, with two decades of experience in the door manufacturing and construction industry and currently leading FDM, stressed the importance of practical training in fire door safety: “The Training Academy is the first to offer practical fire door training in the largest centre of its kind.

“The Hackitt report underlined the importance of the ‘golden thread’ and this is at the centre of our specialist training.

“Each course will underline how vital it is to source primary test evidence and the risk of changing or substituting components in a fire door.”

Fire door training centre responds to industry needs and safety regulations

The Academy’s curriculum also includes a variety of fire safety awareness courses intended for a broad audience, including merchants, architects, and facilities managers, among others.

This approach aims to raise safety standards and awareness of the latest legislation across the industry.

Dan Brown, strategic relationship manager at GQA Qualifications, highlighted the significance of the Academy’s launch: “The launch of FDM’s Training Academy is exceptionally timely, coinciding with a significant phase of introspection within the construction industry.

“This introspection, fuelled by the demands of the Building Safety Act 2022, aims to enhance overall quality, compliance, and competence following a series of tragic events resulting in devastating loss of life.”

The inauguration of the Training Academy was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Councillor Sandra Walmsley, Mayor of Bury, and Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council.

IFSJ comment

The establishment of the UK’s first practical fire door training centre by FDM represents a landmark development in fire safety education and practice.

The comprehensive range of courses offered, coupled with the facility’s focus on practical, hands-on learning, reflects a deep understanding of the complexities involved in fire door safety and maintenance.

By fostering a thorough grasp of the ‘golden thread’ of accountability and compliance, the Training Academy is poised to make a substantial contribution to raising safety standards across the fire door industry.

Moreover, the partnership with GQA Qualifications ensures that the training provided is both rigorous and accredited, offering tangible qualifications that underscore the importance of specialised skills in fire door inspection, maintenance, and installation.

As the industry continues to navigate the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape, initiatives like the FDM Training Academy are crucial in promoting a culture of safety, diligence, and continuous improvement.