World-Leading Industry Expertise as ISD Solutions Achieves Fire Safety Landmark

Composite panel specialists ISD Solutions have achieved an industry first by completing an expert qualification in fire safety.

Adrian Smith, managing director of the Gloucester-based firm, is one of only 17 people worldwide to have passed the new Level 3 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE).

The qualification puts Mr Smith at the pinnacle of his industry for fire safety expertise, being the first construction contractor to have sat and passed the course.

The new qualification was developed in partnership with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) and involved an in-depth seven-day course followed by an arduous examination.

The course contained modules on regulation, fire strategy, active and passive protection, testing and certification, building performance, human behaviour and fire science.

Mr Smith recently became managing director at ISD Solutions, having previously been Technical Director since 2010.

With Brett Harrington, manager of ISD Solutions’ firewall division, aiming to complete the same IFE qualification, and with two of the company’s project managers undergoing courses in specific fields of fire protection, ISD can boast genuine industry-leading expertise in passive fire safety.

Mr Smith recently compiled a White Paper on the cultural impact on passive fire safety following the Hackitt Review into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower.

He said: “As the only composite panel installation company to hold this qualification, ISD Solutions can now offer qualified, professional advice, design and – very importantly – independent consideration to an extensive range of passive fire protection solutions.

“ISD has been installing composite firewalls and associated fire protection systems for 19 years. We recognise the importance of fire safety and the challenge the construction industry faces in ensuring a consistent and thorough approach to maintaining standards.

“In light of the recent Hackitt Review following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower and with changes in legislation shifting the onus of responsibility for fire safety on building projects, the construction industry needs to be aware of the broad spectrum of factors which create a truly safe end project.

“If we at ISD Solutions can help lead the way in raising standards, while offering a service which is of benefit to architects, specifiers, building consultants and designers, then we are happy to do so.

“Our breadth of experience, along with our continued professional training and qualifications, means we can offer a broad spectrum of fire protection expertise – from advice and consultation to large multi-million-pound firewall and data centre installations.

“The course was extremely thorough and gives us some great knowledge which we can apply to passive fire protection measures for things like structural building frames, fire retardant coatings, walls, floors, ceilings and fire-retardant glazing, fire stopping, penetrations seals, cavity barriers, ductwork and dampers, fire resisting doors, industrial shutters and hardware.

“I’m looking forward to applying this knowledge and, with Brett Harrington and our project managers set to further their qualifications, we are excited about this new offering.”

Vicki Ball, head of education at the IFE said: “The IFE Level 3 Certificate in Passive Fire Protection is a new qualification which was developed in partnership with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) and which is offered on an international basis. The examination was available for the first time in October 2018. We are delighted with the support the qualification has received from the industry.

“It is always challenging to prepare for an examination but preparing for an one that has never been offered before is particularly difficult. We would like to congratulate Adrian on his achievement.”

ISD Solutions is a trading division of The P&M Group Ltd which was founded in 1946 by Edgar Moon and is now chaired by his grandson, Andy Moon.