In this regular column, offering advice and updates on electrical qualifications and recommended training routes, Kevin Sparrow, Industry & Portfolio Manager at EAL Awards, looks at the various opportunities for electricians to diversify into fire and security work.
An important area that electrical contractors work in and can diversify into is fire and security systems. In particular, expanding expertise to include fire alarm systems offers contractors several significant advantages to cater to a broader client base.
At EAL, we’ve collaborated with fellow PE contributor Dr. Tom Brookes, a Chartered Engineer and Chairman of the Fire & Security Association (FSA), to develop a number of regulated fire qualifications. These awards help contractors understand the range of specialised standards and enable them to understand the legal and safety requirements associated with these life-critical systems.
Our first collaboration was the award-winning EAL Level 3 Award in the Commissioning, Handover, and Servicing of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems to BS 5839-1.
An updated 2025 version of the award is due this year to coincide with the revised standard, so it’s a great opportunity for electricians to undertake this award, learn about fire alarms in non-domestic premises, and gain a regulated and industry-supported qualification.
More recently, working with Tom and our industry partners, we’ve created an award for fire alarms in dwellings (EAL L3 Award in the Requirements for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in Dwellings). This offers another great way for electricians to re-enforce learning and gain a deeper understanding of these life-saving systems.
The focus of this award is on fire detection and alarm systems within Grades D – F, but it also covers Grades A and C. The award introduces the various key legislation and regulations that apply in dwellings but also helps electricians recognise that UK nations have different minimum requirements or recommendations for fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings.
There’s a range of British Standards, Regulations, and Acts that apply in these locations, as well as understanding the interaction between BS 5839-1 and BS 5839-6, (for example, in a shared building or HMO). One area that electricians may be unfamiliar with is how a fire can spread in a building, its spread mechanisms, and the requirements for a fire risk assessment. As such, these areas are covered in this important award.
A more recent novel award we developed was the EAL Level 3 Award in the Commissioning, Handover, and Servicing of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems to BS 5839-1.
Focusing again on non-domestic systems, this is another important award for electricians/fire engineers to learn about commissioning fire alarm systems and likely consolidate and deepen their understanding.
It is an inspection and testing award for fire alarm systems which fully covers the understanding and practical skills involved with commissioning these systems.
We’re proud of the awards we’ve created with Tom, FSA, and industry partners, including NICEIC/Certsure. At EAL, we’ll endeavour to help you upskill in these important areas, enabling you to gain recognised and regulated qualifications and grow in your career.
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