Currently the only college in Scotland, and one of only 3 colleges in the UK to provide the training, West College is offering the ABBE Level 2 Certificate in Fire Sprinkler Installation covering Residential and Commercial sprinkler installation.

From March 2021, updated sprinkler regulations made it a legal requirement for all social housing and all properties over 11m to be fitted with automatic fire suppression systems in Scotland. These legislative changes were introduced following work by the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety which oversees reviews of building and fire safety regulations, frameworks and guidance, and any other relevant matters, to help ensure that people are safe in Scotland’s buildings.

From May 2023, the College has been delighted to work in partnership with awarding body, ABBE to deliver the Level 2 qualification. Since then, the college has saw over 80 individuals go through qualification, covering health and safety, knowledge of the industry, maintaining compliance and dealing with non-compliance, installation, and final handover procedures. As the Level 2 course is delivered entirely online, geographical location has not posed a restriction and individuals from as far as Shetland down to the Channel Islands have completed the course.

Dr Lee Coutts, assistant principal technology and skills at West College Scotland, said: “As one of only 3 education providers in the whole of the UK and the only one in Scotland offering this pioneering qualification, West College Scotland are proud to provide essential training to tradespeople, developing their vital skills and knowledge required to meet the residential and commercial industry standards in relation to fire sprinkler installation.”

Ruth Oliver, BAFSA skills & qualification adviser, said: “BAFSA is delighted to work with West College Scotland and has established an excellent working relationship with the Course Tutor and Assessor which can only benefit the candidates and ensures delivery of a qualification that is fit for purpose.”