Our UKAS accredited scheme aims to provide companies which carry out condition surveys or inspections of firestopping seals with the means to demonstrate that their standard of inspection and reporting will be appropriate. The scheme is designed to confirm that the company is competent to carry out inspection works to assess that the fire resistant properties of a firestopping product have not been affected through the process of installation or maintenance, for example by incorrect or sub-standard installation or maintenance practices, incorrect selection of components or modification after installation.
The scheme is intended for certification of the inspection activity of firestopping seals which have already been installed. It is not in any way intended to confirm the integrity of an installation service, and is not relevant for the approval or "signing off” of installations.
The scheme includes verification that the inspector has been suitably trained, followed by an audit by Bluesky of inspections conducted at the company’s customer sites, to verify the standard of inspection process carried out by the inspector and the operatives under their control. Ongoing surveillance audits are then conducted once certification has been achieved. Audits may be undertaken on either completed inspections, or those that are currently taking place.
Initial training requirements:
There are various routes for an inspector to demonstrate competence and the scheme does not prescribe specific training requirements. However, the competence of the nominated person will be assessed as part of the initial certification requirements. The nominated person shall have a minimum of 4 years’ experience working in the passive fire protection industry.
An alternative means of demonstrating that appropriate training has been undertaken would be to have a record of training being provided by the firestopping seal manufacturer whose products the inspector is assessing, to demonstrate that they have been trained in the principles of firestopping seals, the important aspects of installation, and appropriate methods of installation specific to that manufacturer’s products.
Expectations for the audit visit:
For the Firestopping Inspection scheme, customers are required to have completed the inspection and inspection reports prior to us arriving. We will then review the inspection. We will require a copy of the inspection report to complete this audit. Evidence of any relevant documentation must be available where appropriate.
