Aico Ltd., the UK’s premier supplier of mains powered smoke alarms and NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) have announced their intention to enter a partnership arrangement aimed at providing the very best support and training for NAPIT members.
NAPIT is one of the fastest growing suppliers of Competent Persons Schemes, covering the electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation sectors. With changes to Building Regulations in 2010, many contractors were finding they needed to notify work across several disciplines. In the past this meant having to join different Competent Persons Schemes to be able to self certify and notify work, but NAPIT is now able to supply these Schemes under one umbrella, saving contractors both time and money.
NAPIT Sales and Marketing Director Andy Sharp outlined the available benefits:
“Putting the benefits of simplified notification aside, the actual training side of this joint venture with Aico, highlights the value of NAPITs ongoing campaign to protect and to preserve public safety. Everyone from installers to the general public will benefit from this fantastic initiative.”
The courses serve as the perfect route to becoming a trained Aico/NAPIT alarm installer. Aico has been the foremost supplier of mains powered smoke alarms for many years and is dedicated to providing contractors not only with the best products, but also with the information and training necessary to achieve a successful and effective fire alarm installation.
Short courses will soon be available, combining a mixture of training and technical information, key topics covered include an introduction to BS 5839: Pt.6: 2004 (the standard for domestic alarm installations), information on the types of smoke, heat and fire alarms for use in different applications, siting and installation guidance, as well as information on wiring alarms in accordance with the 17th Edition.
Neil Perdell, National Technical Manager of Aico, commented on the importance of the courses:
“Aico is delighted to be working with NAPIT, acknowledging the important role electrical contractors play in a providing an effective smoke alarm installation – it’s not enough to have good quality product, correct installation is also vitally important.”
In addition, regular technical updates on current practice and changes to Standards and Regulations are planned on an on-going basis. The level of knowledge and expertise available from Aico make it an ideal addition to NAPIT’s expanding range of services and allows the organisation to move further forward in fulfilling its remit of improving the quality and safety of electrical installations.