GT1F 04 SCQF Level 5: Fire and Smoke Damper Certificate

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Based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS), this qualification has been developed for those who inspect fire and smoke dampers, carrying out pre-commissioning checks and tests. It also offers an additional upskilling route in the decommissioning and the installation of fire and smoke dampers, offering competence and compliance for any renewal work within the ventilation system.

The NOS are the standards that people are expected to meet in their work, with clear performance and knowledge criteria to be achieved. The qualification offers the opportunity for people’s knowledge, skills, and behaviour to be measured against these standards.

The qualification has been developed using several NOS, including the BSEHV06, covering inspection and pre-commission activities, and the BSEBSEHV01 for health and safety within the workplace. There are also some optional units available for progression within the ventilation sector, these include the decommissioning and installation of fire and smoke dampers, aligning to the BSEHV05 and the BSEHV08.

The GT1F 04 has been credited (SCQF) to the equivalent of a Level 2, which will meet the directive stated by the Construction Leadership Council, that the minimum requirement for competence and compliance will be a Level 2 qualification. There will be several entry levels to the qualification, with the recognition of prior learning (RPL) considered for more experienced workers, offering the opportunity to have their current skills and knowledge assessed against NOS.

On June 14, 2017, a fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, London, which resulted in the death of 72 people. In the immediate aftermath the UK Government commissioned Dame Judith Hackitt MBE to undertake an independent review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety to develop recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. Both the interim and final reports published under Dame Judith’s supervision identified serious shortfalls in the competence of persons involved at almost every stage of the design, construction, management, and operation of Grenfell Tower.

The Competence Steering Group, Construction Leadership Council, BSI, WG2 and several other committees and groups have all now printed recommendations and guidance for future competence and compliance requirements, including ongoing learning and development programmes. This qualification offers the opportunity to take that first step in achieving these requirements.