SSAIB News

As the official installer partner for both IFSEC International and FIREX International, SSAIB is imploring its registered firms to register for their Training Week initiative taking place this month.

IFSEC International and FIREX International have linked up with Skills for Security to deliver an exclusive programme of digital training and career development, taking place entirely online on June 22-25.

Leading industry experts will deliver four CPD-accredited training courses aimed at fire and security installers, integrators and engineers, covering the latest in legislation, best practice, compliance and technical skills.

It is an innovative way to stay ahead of the fire and security sectors during the lockdown, helping you refresh your knowledge and add new skills that you may otherwise miss out on.

The sessions will focus on the following critical topics:

• June 22: Intruder Alarm Design and Surveying, covering how to survey sites for a compliant alarm system

• June 23: Advanced Signalling, including requirements and standards of the different transmission types

• June 24: Fire Alarm Design, covering the purpose of fire alarms and best practice for installing and managing them

• June 25: VVS Survey and Design, featuring information about risk assessments, surveying and operational requirements

Each training session is totally free-to-attend, making them the perfect opportunity to improve your knowledge, develop your skills and advance your career, all from the comfort of your home or workplace.

Gerry Dunphy, strategy director of IFSEC and FIREX International, commented: “We’re delighted to partner with Skills for Security to deliver this programme of unmissable training sessions. Many of us are struggling to stay up-to-date with industry developments, or to access career development during the lockdown, so these sessions are an excellent opportunity to keep up with career development, as well as an essential link to the security and fire sectors.

“We hope to see installers, integrators and engineers from across the fire and security sectors take this unique opportunity to continue developing their career, even during this challenging time.”

To seize this unmissable opportunity to attend Training Week for free, simply register your interest in as many sessions as you wish.

SSAIB-registered Amthal Fire & Security Limited have worked closely with the management team and residents at Kenilworth Court to ensure fire and security upgrades on site occur without compromising on the aesthetics of the Edwardian mansion blocks.

Situated in Putney, Kenilworth Court consists of eight purpose-built Edwardian style blocks of flats that were completed in 1904-05. Featuring 150 portered flats - with a garden in the middle - it is now run by the controlling company, Kenilworth Court Co-ownership Housing Association Ltd.

However, Amthal – who are certified for Security Systems, Fire Detection and Alarms and ISO 9001 through SSAIB – were introduced into the development when the opportunity to upgrade door entry from audio to video capability arose.

The company were so successful in understanding the importance of keeping with original design features, working closely with the management team and residents - from initial specification through installation and project completion - Amthal now additionally maintains security gates and all fire requirements on site.

Steve Logie, general manager at Kenilworth Court Co-Ownership Housing Association Ltd told sourcesecurity.com: “With the historic significance of our development, and the pride of notable residents who have lived here, any upgrades, however small, must be carefully considered with regards to how it will impact on the aesthetics of the overall premises.

“Amthal understood this and worked closely with us and our residents, carefully taking in feedback to create bespoke video door entry solutions that blend with the grand entrances. Installation was sympathetic, always ensuring wiring was discreet and ‘boxed in’ where necessary.

SSAIB-registered firms are advised that the installer portal, SSAIB website and company search feature will be unavailable for approximately four hours on Friday night (June 12.)

The SSAIB network will be taken offline at 5pm - once the organisation has ceased working for the weekend - due to the leading UKAS-accredited certification body for the fire and security industries moving our connectivity to a leased line, which will result in a significantly faster system speed once these upgrades have been completed.

We apologise for any inconvenience that these system improvements may cause.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) have announced their full support for BAFE’s Don’t Just Specify, Verify! Campaign, which focuses on the importance of UKAS-accredited third-party certification.

The campaign - launched by the BAFE Fire Safety Register earlier this year - was established to create greater awareness of third-party certification in the fire safety sector. It is important that all premises management (i.e. the Responsible Person/Duty Holder) understand quality regulation is present in the fire safety industry, through UKAS-accredited third-party certification, and specify these appropriate providers.

This should always be followed up with verifying their certification, which is a quick action to ensure they have been assessed and deemed competent to deliver the specific service required.

Matt Gantley, the CEO for UKAS stated: “UKAS is delighted to see this important initiative from BAFE and we offer it our full support. Accredited third-party certification of fire safety services is an essential element of fulfilling statutory obligations.

“UKAS is the only accreditation body recognised by the UK Government and BAFE have always shown great commitment to meeting this ‘gold standard’.”

BAFE chief executive Stephen Adams commented: “It is excellent to report UKAS’ support for the ‘Don’t Just Specify, Verify!’ campaign. This campaign is to benefit all UKAS-accredited third-party certification in the fire safety industry, not just BAFE - as we feel evidential competence is the key issue here for life safety.

“The wider public needs to be aware of these options, to be confident they are using competent providers. This can reassure them that an appropriate provider is being used, especially at this time when so many businesses are planning to get back to work and need to review their fire safety protection.”

Further information on BAFE’s Don’t Just Specify, Verify! campaign can be found at https://www.bafe.org.uk/Dont-Just-Specify-Verify-Third-Party-Certification

SSAIB-registered firms are invited to a free security webinar on Wednesday June 3 at 2pm.

Hosted by Health and Safety and HR experts Citation, the session will cover the latest guidance on the immediate challenges posed by COVID-19 - including furlough, pay, self-isolation, holidays, risk assessments, hand hygiene, communication with staff, working from home, and legal responsibilities.

They will also discuss how businesses can prepare to return to work safely and protect their futures - as well as providing a reminder of employment law changes and The Good Work Plan.

Click here to register your place

The webinar will run between 90 minutes and two hours, and there will be an opportunity to ask their experts your questions about the current situation and future changes.


To help future-proof your business, some of the new discussion topics will include:

• Bringing furloughed staff back the right way;
• Prepping your workplace for the new world of work (considering social distancing, Personal Protective Equipment, RPE and facemasks, and risk assessments);
• Advice on handling grievances among returning staff;
• Structuring your business so you’re in the strongest position possible;
• Managing a workforce that expects new levels of flexibility.

Places are first-come-first-serve, so please reserve your place today to avoid missing out.

Once you have registered using the above link, please click here for further details for helpful tips on how to join on the day.