Technical training on fire alarms and automatic fire detection systems was the order of the day at a seminar organised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and attended by fire safety officers' from neighbouring Midland brigades.
Representatives from Warwickshire and Staffordshire fire services got together with their Shropshire counterparts at their latest Continuing Professional Development lecture, which has been accredited by the Institution of Fire Engineers.
Honeywell Building Solutions, the UK's leading suppliers of fire alarm components and systems, put on a series of presentations at the event which was also attended by fire safety officials from hospitals and NHS Trusts in Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Mike Ablitt, Divisional Officer at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, welcomed the 41 fire safety officers' and fire safety officials to the Shrewsbury FC venue.
"We are very pleased to have opened up our training seminars to colleagues in the region. This is an excellent demonstration of how we can work together with other regions in the professional development of our officers'."
During the day long seminar, new Government guidelines on fire risks assessments, extra requirements for the provision of fire detection systems under the Disability Discrimination Act and third party accreditation schemes required by fire services and insurers were put under the microscope.
The selection, spacing and siting of fire detectors in all types of buildings was also scrutinised with practical advice and examples of bad practice provided during a second presentation.
"Sound" advice on the use of public address systems and firefighters' microphones used with advanced fire detection systems were discussed paying attention to requirements for the British Standard and new products on the market.
The fourth and final presentation involved an overview of the revised British Standard for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of UK fire detection and alarm systems. Two Quality Assurance schemes now available would guarantee compliance of the new code.
Candidates were awarded certificates reflecting 5.5 hours CPD.
