Fire Testing and Assessment CPD Course Survey |
BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) is New Zealand's independent and impartial research, testing and consulting organisation. We work with the building and construction industry to provide better buildings for New Zealanders. The BRANZ Incorporated Society is a not-for-profit investor in industry good research and knowledge transfer. We invest in research and information to achieve benefits for New Zealanders by improving the knowledge base of the building and construction industry.
BRANZ is developing a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course on building element fire testing and assessment. An initial concept has been approved for development and we would like feedback from potential course participants on how it could best provide value for them.
The vision for the course is that it will be centred around a small number of fire testing demonstrations at BRANZ. While BRANZ will ultimately decide what building assemblies are exposed to fire test conditions, course participants will have the opportunity to suggest what will be tested in the course. Tests will include one reaction-to-fire and one fire resistance test as a minimum, although two of each will be the target. The exact number will depend on the complexity of the chosen tests.
Three tiers are proposed for the course. While all three will come together to work on and observe the fire tests, the course materials, assessments and role with the fire tests will vary depending on level. The proposed tiers are as follows:
1. Fire testing and assessment for fire engineers
a. Prerequisite: bachelor’s or above fire engineering educational background (completed or in progress)
b. Focus on assessments, measurement theory and uncertainty, research and new developments in fire testing
2. Fire testing and assessment for other technical professionals
a. Prerequisite: engineering technologist, architecture, and or engineering background (other than fire engineering)
b. Focus on conducting, reporting on, and results from standard fire tests
3. Fire testing and assessment for inspectors, builders, and trades personnel
a. Prerequisite: None
b. Focus on building regulation requirements, building and inspecting fire test specimens, understanding test results
All course participants will converge at BRANZ to conduct the actual fire tests. The time at BRANZ is expected to consist of two three-day block courses, spread apart by a pre-determined time frame. Course participants will be responsible to cover their own travel and living costs and arrangements for the block courses. There will be course material, assignments and assessments before, between, and after the block courses, delivered in an online format. Course participants should expect that the time commitment outside of the time on site will be greater for the higher course tiers.
As the course runs multiple times, a library of test results will build up. Because students will be involved, these test results will not meet full accredited test standard requirements. However, the intention will be that all course participants will have access to all the test results run over all of the course iterations.
The vision for the course is that it will be centred around a small number of fire testing demonstrations at BRANZ. While BRANZ will ultimately decide what building assemblies are exposed to fire test conditions, course participants will have the opportunity to suggest what will be tested in the course. Tests will include one reaction-to-fire and one fire resistance test as a minimum, although two of each will be the target. The exact number will depend on the complexity of the chosen tests.
Three tiers are proposed for the course. While all three will come together to work on and observe the fire tests, the course materials, assessments and role with the fire tests will vary depending on level. The proposed tiers are as follows:
1. Fire testing and assessment for fire engineers
a. Prerequisite: bachelor’s or above fire engineering educational background (completed or in progress)
b. Focus on assessments, measurement theory and uncertainty, research and new developments in fire testing
2. Fire testing and assessment for other technical professionals
a. Prerequisite: engineering technologist, architecture, and or engineering background (other than fire engineering)
b. Focus on conducting, reporting on, and results from standard fire tests
3. Fire testing and assessment for inspectors, builders, and trades personnel
a. Prerequisite: None
b. Focus on building regulation requirements, building and inspecting fire test specimens, understanding test results
All course participants will converge at BRANZ to conduct the actual fire tests. The time at BRANZ is expected to consist of two three-day block courses, spread apart by a pre-determined time frame. Course participants will be responsible to cover their own travel and living costs and arrangements for the block courses. There will be course material, assignments and assessments before, between, and after the block courses, delivered in an online format. Course participants should expect that the time commitment outside of the time on site will be greater for the higher course tiers.
As the course runs multiple times, a library of test results will build up. Because students will be involved, these test results will not meet full accredited test standard requirements. However, the intention will be that all course participants will have access to all the test results run over all of the course iterations.
All responses will be treated as confidential and anonymous. You will not be required to provide any identifying information. Completion of this survey is taken as informed consent for your participation. Should you want more information or advice regarding participation in this survey, please contact Kevin Frank at Kevin.Frank@branz.co.nz.