As the fines for building owners keep on growing for breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO), the need for the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), the new qualification for fire door and building safety professionals, has never been so relevant.
The FDIS was developed with the aim of helping to improve fire safety management, protect property and ultimately to save lives through creating a new pool of expertise and competence to help people with legal responsibilities under the RRO and equivalent legislation.
The Scheme provides professionals with online learning leading to a Diploma in Fire Doors, and a route to become a Certificated Fire Door Inspector. FDIS Inspectors will help those with legal responsibilities for fire safety to ensure the safe functioning and ongoing maintenance of all their fire doors. The FDIS online learning platform contains seven web-based education modules which are designed to be studied at a candidate’s own pace and location. A final examination can be taken at a local test centre, and successful candidates will be awarded the Diploma in Fire Doors and be entitled to use the designation DipFD after their name.
Examples of fines under the RRO during 2012 include:
• ASDA was ordered to pay more than £55,000 after breaching fire safety rules including having fire exit doors chained and locked shut and other fire exits wedged open at its store in Slough.
• B&M Retail paid almost £33,000 after pleading guilty to six offences under the RRO with offences including fire exits and exit routes obstructed and exit route leading to locked, enclosed area.
• Takeaway owner Delicious Foods was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs after failing to comply with fire safety regulations after being found guilty of offences including fire doors not being to a suitable standard.
• An owner of a fashion store in Prestwich was ordered to pay more than £8,000 for a number of offences under the RRO including blocking fire exits and locking fire doors.