Bluesky Certification’s UKAS accredited Firestopping Installation scheme is designed to provide installers of fire stopping seals with the means to demonstrate that their standard of installation will be appropriate, such that the fire-resistant properties of the compartment wall will be retained following installation services which pass through the compartment wall. This also includes verification that the installer has been suitably trained, followed by an audit of installations conducted at their customer sites, to verify the standard of installation carried out by the installer and the operatives under their control.

Ongoing inspections are then conducted once certification has been achieved. Installation audits may be undertaken on either completed installations, or those that are taking place. (Bluesky also has ‘mock up’ rig facility near Reading, UK which can be used (at an additional cost) for initial appraisals).

The Bluesky scheme applies to the following Firestopping installation categories:

The nominated supervisor will need to demonstrate that they have been appropriately trained and will need to demonstrate that they are competent as part of the scheme requirements. They will also need to demonstrate that they have a documented process to assess the competence of their operatives. The nominated supervisor must have 2 years’ experience working in the passive fire protection industry.

Training could be through one of the various training bodies that operate in the industry or alternatively could be provided directly by the fire stopping seal manufacturer whose products the installer is using. The training must cover aspects such as principles of fire stopping seals, the important aspects of installation, and appropriate methods of installation specific to that manufacturer’s products.

 

For the Fire Stopping Installation scheme customers are required to have the majority of the installation complete, with details of what has been used and all technical datasheets to be present, together with documentation to demonstrate that seals have been assessed to confirm compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Any products to be listed on your scope must be demonstrated in this audit.