Did you know that anyone who works on or near a live electrical supply is covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations and has a statutory duty of care to ensure that work is carried out by a competent person?

28 April 2015

For the alarm technician this means that they must be able to demonstrate competency when working on fire alarm systems, which are connected to an electrical supply, including the connection between the dedicated supply and the control panel itself.

Many companies working on fire detection and alarm systems concentrate solely on the low voltage side of the panel, leaving the mains voltage supply to electrical contractors, or in a few cases working on that supply without the demonstrable competence. It was felt that a course which proved competency for the safe isolation of a dedicated supply, connection of that supply to a panel and testing would allow for an all encompassing, and more importantly safe, service. 

The issue of demonstrating competency led us to ask the NICEIC to develop a course and assessment to our requirements. It was important that while BS5839 refers back to BS7671 with regard to wiring, the use of fire resistant cabling had to be highlighted, and that both theoretical and practical elements of the course approach the subject from a fire industry perspective. Thus, a two-day course was created which covers the theoretical principles of electric supply, safe isolation and testing as well as the practical application of that knowledge on a mains powered panel. Successful delegates receive a certificate of competence issued by the NICEIC. 

During the two-day course delegates are given a thorough technical understanding of the regulations and principles relating to the electrical supply - from the point of the dedicated supply to the panel and beyond. The combination of learning both the theoretical knowledge and practical application of skills makes this a thorough and comprehensive course and assessment. NICEIC assessors conduct the assessment to ensure that delegates adhere to the highest level of competence.

The course was designed to be useful to any technician working on or near live electrical supply. Installation engineers receive guidance to gain the demonstrable competence to run a supply from the dedicated supply to the required equipment. Maintenance engineers will be able to safely isolate any electrical equipment before carrying out work. In either case this course helps to reduce the risk of electrical injury, maintain compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations and reduce the risk of prosecution. 

It was also felt that post-training resources were valuable to delegates and so all course delegates are provided with a comprehensive manual covering the material included in the course and additional support material. Delegates achieving an 80% pass mark in both the theory and practical are also presented with a certificate of competency issued by both the NICEIC and the FIA. 

For course information, dates and venues or to book – please visit at www.fia.uk.com or call us on 0203 166 5002 to discuss requirements.