Haslingden, UK - Caswell is pleased to announce that we have gained FIRAS certification.
FIRAS is a voluntary, third party certification scheme for installation contractors of both passive and active fire protection systems, operated by Warringtonfire and accredited by UKAS to BS EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012. This scheme for installers has been instrumental in improving the installation and maintenance standards of passive and active fire protection products and systems. It is the mark of endorsement of competency in the installation of products and systems, vital for achieving the protection required.
As part of the FIRAS Schemes, certificated companies are required to employ, on a permanent or contract basis, competent supervisors and technicians (Operators). The technical and practical competence of these operators is assessed by FIRAS Inspectors in the trade disciplines for which certification is held. A register of competent employees is maintained for each certificated company, which is regularly reviewed to ensure that the company maintains a competent workforce whose abilities remain current with the work scope the company provides.
FIRAS Certificated Installer Companies are subject to ongoing random inspection of their installation work. There is also an annual audit of their office systems by FIRAS Inspectors to ensure that compliance with the Scheme is maintained.
To gain FIRAS Certification the contractor must have current proven technical and practical competence in the fields for which they are certified. This provides assurance to the client that the contractor is competent to undertake the project. C Caswell Engineering Services Ltd (CCESL) are FIRAS certified for the installation of Fire Rated Ductwork. Caswell FRD is part of CCESL and specifically manages its CASWELL FIRESAFE® fire rated ductwork contracts.
CASWELL FIRESAFE® non-coated fire resisting spiral circular ductwork
Our FIRAS Certification Number is LG9901
Darren Webster, Caswell FRD Technical Manager commented “Joining the scheme is further demonstration by C CASWELL ENGINEERING SERVICES Ltd of their continued commitment to ensuring CASWELL FIRESAFE® products are supplied and installed to meet the highest levels of quality above and beyond that of statutory legislation.”
Here’s some of the more salient points from Section 2 of the Rules & Regulations document:
2.6.5 Fire rated ducting systems shall be installed in accordance with test evidence applicable to the specific system and/or the requirements identified in the ASFP ‘Blue’ Book
2.6.6 No contractor shall mix-and-match materials of different manufacture to resolve particular fire protection requirements, unless supported by third party certification, test evidence or an independent fire performance assessment provided in accordance with PFPF ‘Guide to Undertaking Assessments in Lieu of Fire Tests’
2.6.7 Any special detail developed to resolve a specific fire protection requirement on a project must be similarly supported.
2.6.8 Where the passive fire protection system requires the use of specified fixings/ancillary components, the contractor shall ensure that those used comply with the proven specification.
2.6.9 All contractors shall employ suitably trained / skilled / competent staff. An initial pre-certification office audit will be followed by inspections of site work relevant to the scope of FIRAS Certification the contractor has achieved. During these site inspections the contractor’s Contracts managers / site supervisors and operator’s competence shall be assessed relevant to the certified scope
Here's a link to the Warringtonfire website FIRAS pages
https://www.warringtonfire.com/certification-services/fire-certification/firas