Fire Detection and Alarm Advanced Commissioning

2 days

The course begins by discussing the various codes of practice that commissioning technicians will need to be familiar with during the course of their work. We will also discuss the standard format used to produce a code of practice.

We will look at the documentation that should be provided to the technician to allow the commissioning process to run smoothly, the specific responsibilities of the commissioning technician and the knowledge required to successfully complete the commissioning process.

Specific system design requirements will be covered, including the positioning of manual call points, detector spacing, detector heights and the various consideration relating to the position of detectors in relation to other obstructions & equipment within a protected space. 

Advanced considerations for cellular ceilings, closely spaced beams, apex roofs, pitched roofs and beam detectors will be discussed. Considerations with regards to alarm zone configuration and visual alarm devices will also be covered.   

As part of the commissioning process, we will also need to check that the level of workmanship is acceptable, as well as checking the system & its circuits for integrity. Therefore, the course will cover the general inspection checks that need to be made as well as circuit testing methods, ohm’s law and the power equation.

Documentation and labelling are also of key importance in relation to all aspects of fire detection and alarm systems, and as such will be covered throughout the course, alongside other important considerations such as electrical safety & isolation.

At the end of the advanced commissioner course, you will have an understanding:

• BS 5839/IS 3218/BS 7273
• Inspection and Testing the Fire Alarm System
• Verifying the interface to other systems
• Documentation
• Maintenance Provision
• False Alarm Management
• The Handover and Instruction

At the end of the course, delegates will take an examination to test their knowledge. The examination is closed book and no reference material will be allowed.

For any courses held online, the examination will also be online. Find out more about online exams.

Delegates taking the course in the classroom, will be provided with a tablet to access the exam. If you are unsuccessful during the exam at the end of the course, you will be eligible for an exam resit.

A copy of the course syllabus is available by clicking on the following link, Advanced Commissioner Syllabus.

Any delegates who wish to progress onto the advanced qualifications will need to have completed and passed the foundation course in FD&A systems.

We highly recommended that anyone taking this course reads the Foundation Course manual (given to candidates when attending the Foundation Course), and watches the Foundation Course pre-learning videos located in the prerequisites section of the Foundation Course webpage, as revision before embarking on this course. 

In addition, please watch and study the specific advanced commissioner pre-learning videos below.  Please ensure that you watch them all the way through to the end, and replay them a few times to ensure you understand and remember the information.

Advanced Commissioning Part 1

Advanced Commissioning Part 2

Advanced Commissioning Part 3

Advanced Commissioning Part 4

Advanced Commissioning Part 5

We recommend that delegates watch our short video with regards to exam techniques to help tackle multiple choice exam questions. This video will be especially useful for the advanced qualifications - FIA Multiple Choice Exam Techniques.

The successful completion of this course & the exam, could be your next or final step towards the overall Advanced Qualification, or alternatively this could lead to an additional advanced qualification for those that have already achieved the overall qualification.

Upon completion of the exam, delegates will get an instant result. The next step for successful delegates is very much dependant on individual circumstances with regards to your position on the qualification pathway.

Overall completion of the Advanced qualification also requires completion of two mandatory units covering Environmental Concerns for Field Service Technicians and Health and Safety for Field Service Technicians.

Delegates with pre-existing qualifications relating to the environment and/or health and safety may not need to sit all the mandatory units.

A certificate will be issued when the qualification is complete. In the interim period, emails will be sent out confirming your result that can be used as evidence.

Learners successfully completing this unit should feel confident to carry out commissioning work relating to both new and existing Fire Detection and Alarm Systems to the requirements of BS 5839.

Even after completion of the advanced commissioner course, delegates still have the option to undertake any of the other Advanced Qualifications for Installation, Maintenance and Design.

Delegates will receive a course book at the start of the course. The course book contains a copy of the slides used during the course, along with an explanation to accompany each slide and space to make their own learner notes. These books can be kept by the delegates and are a useful reference tool for the workplace.

For face-to-face courses, a hard copy of the course notes is provided at the start of the course. For online courses, delegates will have digital access to the course notes. Upon completion, delegates will be given the option to receive a hard copy of the course book in the post.

This course has 13 CPD hours

• Members - £300+VAT
• Non-members - £550+VAT

Payable by debit/credit card. Members can also pay by invoice.