Hyperoptic (www.hyperoptic.com), the UK’s leading Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband provider, today announces that it is the first UK telco to be awarded Q-Mark Fire Stopping Installation certification from BM TRADA (http://www.bmtrada.com/en-gb), a leading UK and international certification body.
Building owners, or those who assume the role of ‘Responsible Person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) are legally required to ensure that commercial premises have suitable and sufficient fire protection measures in the property and that these are properly maintained. Such measures are often compromised when services such as telecommunications are installed.
The certification of its installers by BM TRADA means that Hyperoptic can help to ensure the integrity of existing fire protection measures and speed up the process for the building owner at the same time.
To achieve the certification, engineers from Hyperoptic undertook comprehensive training on fire stopping materials and installation techniques and had to sit an examination to assess their competence. A number of live site installations were also thoroughly audited by BM TRADA and will continue to be carried out as an ongoing requirement of the scheme.
Stuart Foster, Quality Assurance and Training Manager, Hyperoptic, comments: “Here at Hyperoptic we are constantly looking for ways to differentiate and enhance our proposition. Being able to demonstrate our understanding of the important role that fire protection measures play and help to ensure that they are safeguarded when telecoms are installed means we can reassure our customers that their building and escape routes should remain safe for its occupants in the event of a fire.
Simon Beer, BM TRADA, adds: “The addition of telecommunications to a building will compromise the fire performance if not done properly. It is good to see a broadband provider taking these steps to ensure that they maintain the fire resistance of compartment walls when carrying out their services. Anyone thinking of having electrics, telecoms or plumbing fitted to a building should check that those doing the work can demonstrate that the fire resistance performance of all compartment walls and floors will be maintained”.
