We put the questions to Dr Tom Brookes CEng, to discover more about what drives his burning desire to improve competency and recognition for Fire Alarm Engineers and why the launch of his own training centre has been a benefit for the fire industry in general.
Zzeus Training is headed by Dr. Tom Brookes, who runs a successful award-winning fire protection company and is also the Chairman of the Fire and Security Association, the specialist division of the ECA.
A leading figure in the fire alarm industry, sitting on eight British Standard Institute committees, Tom has been involved in writing and updating BS 5839-1 since 2006, giving him a clear understanding of the standard, rather than an interpretation.
Tom has a Ph.D. with his dissertation, Creation of Pathways for the Professional Recognition of Fire Alarm Engineers in the UK, gaining maximum credits. He has also recently become the first Chartered Engineer in the UK based solely on fire alarm knowledge and skills.
Q. For those who might be new to you and your business, tell us a little about your background and the history of Zzeus.
I’ve been training Fire Alarm Engineers for over 20 years on theory, legislation and at a practical level. In 2019, I decided to set up Zzeus to help Fire Alarm Engineers gain professional recognition by completing hands-on practical fire alarm training. Since we launched, we’ve trained and given out qualifications to thousands of engineers across the UK. Buddy Squires predominantly runs the training; he holds a master’s teaching qualification and is a highly experienced Fire Alarm Engineer. That’s not something you can get anywhere else in the industry.
Q. It was recently announced that you’ve become the first training provider in England to offer the EAL Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire & Security Systems. What is the importance of this qualification and why it is such a relevant part of fire safety training?
Updated legislation ‘The Building Safety Act October 2023’ highlights the requirement for duty holders to ensure that they’re using competent Fire Alarm Engineers.
This means that, for the first time, regardless of years in the industry, Fire Alarm Engineers must obtain an industry-recognised qualification and subsequently hold an ECS Fire, Emergency, and Security Systems (FESS) Systems Technician Gold Card or an ECS FESS Systems Operative Card.
We’re now able to offer fire alarm engineers qualifications for both routes. Fire Alarm Engineers who manage systems and work unsupervised can obtain the Gold Card via our new EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems.
Fire Alarm Engineers who operate, install, and maintain systems while supervised can obtain the Operative Card via our EAL Level 3 Award in the Requirements of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings BS 5839:-1:2017.
Although the qualification only became a requirement in 2023, this has been our most popular course since we launched.
Q. What types of subjects does the new NVQ cover, and what should delegates who undertake the course expect? How long will it take, for example?
The NVQ covers the design, installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance, and auditing of electronic systems. To achieve this qualification, learners must attain eight units, which comprise seven mandatory units and at least one of the optional units. Units are then assessed and endorsed against the learner’s chosen discipline.
Learners will be required to create a portfolio of evidence to prove their competence in the workplace and will receive a site visit from one of our experienced auditors.
Learners will also need to attend our five-day course in Lincoln – EAL Level 3 Award in the Requirements of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings BS 5839:-1:2017, unless they’ve already done this previously (the NVQ is also discounted in this case). The qualification is gained when all the necessary units for the learner’s chosen pathway have been achieved.
The course duration depends on how much time the learner can dedicate. Engineers can gradually complete it by spending a few hours a week over 5-6 months, but they could also do it in as little as 2-3 months.
Q. Is any training centre able to offer the NVQ, or has Zzeus had to go through a specific process to become the first?
Like school, college, and university qualifications, the awarding body manages the curriculum and certifications – EAL in our case. As a training provider, we had to go through a rigorous and lengthy process to teach the NVQ, and then we needed to design our way of teaching the curriculum. That’s why we’re still the only company in England to provide it. As experts in the field, we work closely alongside EAL on the modules and content of the qualification.
Q. Have any delegates undertaken the course so far, and if so, what type of feedback did you receive?
Have you had much interest since it was announced? Since we announced the launch of the NVQ in January, we’ve had a massive influx of bookings from companies that need their engineers to have Gold Cards.
Daren Pool, MD of Triple Star Fire & Security, was among the first engineers to achieve the NVQ. He said: “This qualification has allowed me to upgrade my ECS Operative Card to a FESS Systems Gold Card and my Managerial Card to Fire Technical Manager, and is proof that hard work pays off!
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support and guidance from the exceptional team at Zzeus, particularly Tom Brookes, Buddy Squires and Ashleigh Barnes, who were instrumental in helping me navigate the journey. Their expertise, mentorship, and encouragement have proved invaluable.”
Q. You’ve reported recently that Zzeus received a visit and recommendation from Dame Judith Hackitt. What was the experience like, and what do Dame Judith’s comments mean for you personally and professionally?
Because of my belief in improving fire alarm sector competency, I was delighted when Dame Judith Hackitt wanted to present the NVQ certificates to the first group of experienced workers. The pride I took when she described Zzeus Training as a ‘pioneer’ in fire systems training will stay with me forever as testament to us striving to do the right thing.
Q. Why should readers potentially utilise Zzeus if they’re in the market for specialised fire training?
Our company was established out of a passion for helping other Fire Alarm Engineers to gain official certification. All of our courses include hands-on practical training and are Ofqual-approved. Our instructors are BSI committee members (they write the standards for fire alarms), plus we’ve won four national awards for our training. ECA, FSA, ECS, NSI, SSILB, and BFC also approve us.
Get more details about Zzeus Training and future course dates here
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