I’ve worked with many surveyors who haven’t known what BS5306 Part 8 is, or what it means to correctly evaluate premises for the correct quantity, placement and positioning of extinguishers.
There’s been a bit of an issue in the industry where somehow it has become acceptable to guess at this, I mean, how?
There are a set of guidelines to protect people and premises, why don’t we use them?
I’m not blaming anyone for this, it’s become normal. I can’t understand why, well maybe I can but here isn’t the place.
Who is this course for?
This course has been designed for the specific role of salespeople or surveyors who evaluate your customer’s premises. Whether this is for new business or existing.
If you are a fire risk assessor and are interested in a course specifically for your role, please click below:
There are common issues I have come across with surveyors, many having fallen into the role and found themself doing this but without any training.
Many have been taught by others who weren’t getting it right either. They may have taken advice from others and used a guesstimate type of approach, instead of the best practice guidance which is Part 8.
Some have been given a copy of the standards and told to read it. This does not work!
Some recognise the extinguishers as red, not taking into account what type they are or for what risks.
Surveyor Quote : “I just make sure there’s an extinguisher at each fire exit”.
The Consequences
Compliance matters, as you know, so let’s start to put this right.
The spotlight is on! It’s time to cover your backs and make sure that your salespeople and/or surveyors are trained to correctly evaluate your customer’s premises.
As well as leaving premises non-compliant, additional and necessary sales are missed. Signage goes unnoticed and no mention is given to the additional services that your company offers.
Why do this?
Creating trust with your customers and starting as you mean to go on is essential. If you have gone to the effort of gaining the opportunity to quote for new business, with the promise of a good service, then this is the time to provide exactly that.
Making sure that your salespeople or surveyors are doing this correctly right from the start is important.
Looking After Your Customers
For your customers, fire protection maintenance is something else to pay for in a very long list.
No one likes “having to” pay for something, it’s a bit like house and car insurance, a grudge purchase. You’ve got to have it but generally don’t see anything for it. There are the times of course, that you’re glad you have it.
From the perspective of your customer, they have to make a decision of who to choose, who is going to do a good job? Are they going to be ripped off? How will they know that they are getting what they’re paying for? Who do they trust?
This is the same as you bringing workmen into your home, there are worries about this. You have to take a chance that things will work out.
On this basis, when you take over a job this is the time to get it right. You’ve been called in for a reason, the customer wants a good service. Maybe they haven’t been happy with the service they’ve already been provided with.
They’ve chosen your company, placed trust in your assurances that you are invested in their fire protection and booked for your surveyor or salesperson to come in.
Read on to the end of the page for an example, a story, of what can happen if everything is not right in the first place.
Surveyor Quotes :
“I just look and see if there is enough. I’ve never heard of travel distances.“
“What are fire ratings?”
“I had no idea there was so much to it.”
What’s Included in the course?
BS5306, parts 3 & 8, the simplified and understandable version, but only the relevant parts for this role.
I also cover:
- Observational skills.
- Customer communication and reporting.
- A brief overview of fire safety signage.
- Awareness of other services that can be offered.
- Confidence building.
- A site survey to get your salespeople/surveyors into the good habit of noticing what’s around them and increasing awareness of what they should be looking for. This is a trailer of the site survey I have created for training purposes:
There is no listing of clauses or complicated explanations here, this is broken down into easily grasped chunks of information that is built up to complete the picture. A course designed, not to pass an exam, but to enable confidence and competency. Let’s get your surveyors and salespeople professionally representing your company in the way that you truly want.
The Details
A two day course at your premises £650 per candidate (minimum 3) plus expenses.
I recommend further on-site training days as a follow on from this course.
An example of why you need to get this right
Your company can end up looking untrustworthy and unprofessional if things aren’t right from the offset. This is a scenario that I have come across many times. Something that will not retain business or gain any recommendations.
One incident comes to mind. An engineer had been to a company to carry out the service of a new customer. I was asked to retrospectively audit to make sure everything was in order.
So many things had been missed from the initial survey, there was not enough equipment and none of it had been brought to the customers attention.
The engineer had made some recommendations, but they were also incorrect and insufficient.
This doesn’t reflect well on the company at all. Two people from the same fire protection company both saying different things. Then me, as an auditor letting them know that they were both incorrect. (The fire risk assessment was also incorrect). This doesn’t reflect the professional company that you are.
It’s an embarrassing situation that the company is now faced with, having to tell the customer this or just go in, make the changes and write off that loss.
If the customer is informed, they will think that they’ve made a bad decision. In fact, if your company goes back in to make changes it will look like this anyway.
They thought they were getting a good deal, trust is broken.
Is this happening on your customer’s premises?
This problem is easily solved
What others say:
”I recently did a two-day, one-to-one sales and surveyor course, and it was a great experience.
Steve was friendly, helpful, and knew his stuff inside out. He explained everything clearly and made sure I felt comfortable and confident with what I was learning. The sessions were easy to follow, and I came away feeling much more prepared. I’d recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn about fire extinguishers, sales and surveying in a straightforward, supportive way.’
“I am sure most fire companies out there want to give their clients the best service possible and be able to rest at night knowing that their clients are compliant and suitably protected. I have met Stephen James many times over the years and would have no hesitation recommending him as an honest and very competent engineer and trainer!”
FAQs
We haven’t got the facilities.
We can discuss where the training could be held.
How far will you travel?
To wherever you are within the UK. Overnight stays will be chargeable as further expenses.
Our surveyors/salespeople have the relevant knowledge but are not implementing it.
I would recommend the cross selling (professional development) course which covers blocks to being observant and doing all they should on site.
Is there an exam?
No.
Is this course accredited?
No but I train to the British Standards which is ‘best practice’.
Are there any course notes?
Yes.
Is there a certificate?
I will issue a certificate of attendance. I’d be happy to offer a certificate of competency if I were to audit your surveyors/salespeople. This would involve a live audit and a retrospective audit. That observation of how they work and what they are noticing is essential before I could say they were competent.
Will you work with less than 3 candidates?
Yes, please get in touch for costings.
What are your terms and conditions?
You can read these here: