Fire Safety in Design and Construction (CPD)

Course Overview

The Fire Safety in Design and Construction (including relevant buildings) course is designed to equip designers, and fire safety professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure proper oversight of building projects, including building safety in high-risk buildings (HRBs). This course is grounded in the competence framework documents PAS 8670, which outlines the core criteria for building safety, and PAS 8671, which specifies the framework for the competence of Principal Designers. It also covers the relevant design codes and approved documents that facilitate compliance with applicable legislation.

Participants will engage in a comprehensive examination of these documents and gain a clear understanding of the legislative and guidance requirements related to building safety in HRBs. Additionally, the course supports ongoing professional development and design work in building projects beyond HRBs. Key topics include application of both volumes of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, fire strategies and Building Safety Cases, highlighting the significant role the Principal Designer plays in these areas.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to confidently design-in building fire safety, contribute effectively to fire strategies and Building Safety Cases, and ensure compliance with the latest fire safety regulations and best practices.

Benefits for Employers

•    Enhanced Site Safety: Invest in your design team to effectively intergrate building fire safety, including high-risk buildings, ensuring your construction projects are safer and fully compliant.
•    Regulatory Compliance: Ensure your projects adherence to fire safety regulations and building safety standards, reducing the risk of legal penalties.
•    Reputational Advantage: Position your business as a proactive leader in fire safety design, enhancing trust and credibility among clients, contractors, and the supply chain.
•    Staff Development and Retention: Equip your employees with advanced skills, knowledge, and behaviors necessary for fire safety design in high risk buildings, leading to increased job satisfaction and retention.

Benefits for Learners

•    Responsibility Fulfillment: Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently meet your fire safety responsibilities, fulfilling both legal and ethical obligations in your role.
•    Culture of Safety: Contribute to a stronger fire safety culture within your organsation, promoting positive behaviors and attitudes towards safety.
•    Skill Enhancement: Learn to apply fire safety design principles according to industry best practices, boosting your professional competence and career prospects.
•    Professional Development: Acquire fire safety design expertise, expanding your skills and competencies in fire safety management for relevant buildings.
•    Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals in the construction industry, enhancing your professional network and opening doors to assistance with your role.

Course Key Facts

•    Pre-Course Study: A thorough pre-course study is required to familiarise learners with essential competence documents, including PAS 8670 and PAS 8671, BS9991, and both volumes of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations.
•    Course Duration: 4 days of intensive training, which includes the provision of information, knowledge testing, and the application of skills through scenario-based exercises.

Course Content:

The course consists of 5 units

•    Unit 1: Fire safety, structural safety, and public safety

- Understanding the integration of fire safety and structural safety to ensure public safety (including high risk buildings.)
- Examination of legislation and guidance documents pertaining to fire safety and structural safety.

•    Unit 2: Managing building safety

- Developing strategies for effective management of building safety throughout the project lifecycle.
- Reviewing the PAS 8670 and PAS 8671 frameworks for building safety competence.

•    Unit 3: Knowledge management and communication

- Enhancing knowledge management practices to ensure accurate and up-to-date fire safety information.
- Improving communication skills to effectively convey fire safety requirements and strategies to stakeholders.

•    Unit 4: Buildings as systems, building systems, and construction products and materials

- Understanding buildings as integrated systems and the impact of various building systems on fire safety.
- Evaluating the role of construction products and materials in maintaining fire safety standards.. 

•    Unit 5: Approved Document B and BS 9999/1: 

- Studying design principles for vertical and horizontal escape, including exit requirements, travel distances, fire protection in corridors, and calculation methods for staircase exit widths, all tailored to various building purposes and evacuation strategies.
- Examining fire resistance, compartmentation, and their significance in building safety, covering topics such as fire protection for different building areas, compartmentation’s purpose, fire stopping methods, fire door requirements, and classification systems for external wall materials.

Assessment

The course is assessed using a range of methods, centered around the completion of a portfolio of evidence compiled by each delegate as the course progresses. Assessment activities include:

•    Written Knowledge Testing Questions: To evaluate understanding of key concepts and principles.
•    Observed Group Work: Collaborative tasks observed and assessed by the tutor.
•    Completion of Scenario-Based Tasks with Accompanying Reflective Entries: Practical tasks simulating real-world challenges, accompanied by reflective entries to capture learning and insights.
•    Professional Discussion with Tutor: In-depth discussion to assess understanding, application, and integration of course content.

Suitable For

The course is designed for any person involved in the role of a designer, including Principal Designer, Architects, Fire Engineers, fire safety professionals, and enforcers. A pre-course entry requirement for candidates already carrying out the role mentioned will be for those candidates to demonstrate their existing understanding of the role as defined by the CDM regulations 2015.