CFPA Europe Diploma or/and BRE ABBE accredited fire risk course

[hammer1]

Hi all,

I know there is a maximum 2 year to complete this course. I just wondered what length it has taken some posters on here??? Obviously past experience will be a factor.

I normally deal with low/medium risk businesses with low/medium occupancy and low/medium buildings. Hardly touch high risk environments at this stage.

I have FETA extinguisher, Fire NEBOSH, Fire Manager (accredited by IFSM), 3 day at Hampshire fire centre course, Salvage course to name a few under my belt  and I am also a member of IFSM and IFPO and enrol in some of the CPD courses they provide.

Would the CFPA Diploma be my next step considering I only cater for low/medium risk environments and SME's/property agents.

I see that part of the course is a 5 day residential course on fire risk management. Is this at the same level as the new BRE ABBE fire risk course level 3 accredited course.

Ain't got the finances to pay £3,000 + for one to find out I should pay £1,500 + for the other.

Any views from the experience posters most welcomed

[alfi]

Hi there

I'm just finishing my CFPA Europe Diploma, you can a credit for the NEBOSH fire certificate and so won't have to attend the 5 day residential part. the rest is a 8 papers and an exam. it took me about 18 months to complete but I'm doing other qualifications as well. You get a discount for not having to do the residentail part as well, and i find the CFPA Europe Diploma is more well known than the the other ones, but thats just my humble opinions, It does take a lot of discipline as its distance learning and I've had trouble interpreting some of the questions but the guys on this site often offer great advise to help out

Hope this helps

[Hightower]

Hammer

I started this course in April 09 and to date having completed 2 units and working on my third found it invaluable.  As all learning you get out of it what you put in.

Costs are quite high and don't stop at the course fees.  You will be required to answer many questions with reference to BS'.  You can access these at your local library, but I find this far from ideal as I like to mark, highlight and underline where necessary.  To date, and as part of my overall business preparation plan I have purchased all of the BS' stated in the bibliography as I do each unit.  Cost so far, over £450.00.  Combine this with other publications such as the LPC's sprinkler rules and Mr. Todd's guide to BS5839-1  the end cost is likley to be well over £2000.
I see this as a great opportunity to collect the necessary tools of the trade as I learn, of course you can try and get by, by using various free guides etc. but as I say, you get out what you put in and I have certainly not seen (with the exception of Mr. Todd's book) any guides that give the depth of information that the BS's do.
Time frame for me is to complete 1 unit every 2 months which I believe is possible for anyone with the drive, inclination and desire to want to see the thing through.

Do contact me via email if you want further information

cheers

HiTower

[hammer1]

Thanks for your comments.

Do you receive any course documents??. I feel it (the course) seems a bit expensive considering it is distant learning with a tutor only contactable via email/phone.

Will that you up on the offer hightower once I have enrolled.

Cheers

[Hightower]

hammer

Course documents come in the form of silver membership of the FPA who have a library full of the stuff - but not BS's.

cheers

Hightower

[alfi]

I've now completed mine and passed had my certificate recently  , the course was well worth it and as previous chat mentioned you have access to the FPA library, once completed you can also using the designatory. most of the papers i passed first time but i did have to resubmit a few, in fact one little bugger had to go back 3 times!!, but they do give you precise advise and good  support. good luck