Month: November 2019

We are delighted to announce that we have been accredited by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to deliver Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training covering a variety of aspects relating to the design of security and life safety systems.

The training is for anyone involved in the design of security and life safety systems, including Consultant Engineers and Specifiers. The training would also benefit professionals who need to understand the design requirements of these systems, including building control officers, fire prevention officers, fire safety personnel, fire risk assessors, and local authorities.

Angela Bennett, Joint MD of Diamond explains why CPD is important: “In any profession, regular CPD is an essential way of keeping your skills and knowledge up to date. Our CPD courses take the form of a 1 hour presentation, in which we provide an update on recent changes to Codes of Practice, as well as highlighting some of the common pitfalls at design stage, based on our 30 plus years’ experience as specialists in this sector.”

Steve Snoddon, Joint MD of Diamond has over 25 years’ experience in the security and life safety industry and will deliver the technical content of the CPD training. Steve explains, “We have introduced CPD accredited training as an additional service, to help address some of the grey areas within security and life safety system design. It is important that designers fully understand the recommendations and requirements within the Codes of Practice, and applicable legislation such as The Equality Act.”

The courses are approved by CIBSE, who in reviewing the content of our course on Fire Detection Design Considerations commented,

“The presentation is high quality with lots of technical information and covers all our requirements”

Fire Detection Design Considerations

We are pleased to now invite expressions of interest for our Fire Detection Design Considerations course, full details of which can be found on the CIBSE website:

https://www.cibse.org/membership/continuing-professional-development-cpd/directory-of-cpd-course-providers/diamond-systems

The presentation begins by outlining the relevant Code of Practice for fire alarm design, and examining the various categories of fire alarm system. We then move into Common Design  Pitfalls, and discuss the design considerations of BS5839-1 in relation to point detectors, void detection, beam detection, aspirating smoke detectors, audible and visual alarm devices, manual call points, zone plans and product selection under CPR.  The presentation concludes by looking at design certification, and also some recent changes to BS5839-6 affecting the design considerations for sheltered housing and HMOs.

Future courses will include training on Voice Evacuation Design,  and Designing Fit for Purpose Security and CCTV Systems.

If you would like to make a booking for CPD accredited training on Fire Detection Design Considerations, or to register your interest for any of our future courses, please email design@diamondsystems.co.uk.

Diamond Systems reaffirmed their commitment to all aspects of staff welfare by registering with the Mates in Mind charity. Mates in Mind is a UK charity raising awareness and addressing the stigma of poor mental health, by promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces.

The charity helps to make sense of available options and support employers to address mental health within their workplace. Mates in Mind works across industries, focusing on construction, as well as related sectors including transport, logistics, manufacturing and others.

Angela Bennett, Joint Managing Director of Diamond Systems said: “A supportive culture is something that we strive for at Diamond, and something that is inherent within most family businesses. We are delighted to formally pledge our support to Mates in Mind, to help raise awareness of mental health issues within our organisation. We are encouraging our team to support one another by both talking and listening, and generally being there for each other. As a supporter of the charity, our team now also have access to a 24 hour mental health support helpline.”

For more information on how to become a supporter of Mates in Mind, visit their website: https://www.matesinmind.org/

 

Name: Ryan Wilkinson

Position: Apprentice Engineer

How long have you been in your role?

In September 2018, I started my City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Knowledge of Electronic Security & Emergency Systems apprenticeship. In my first year I spent 3 days at work with Diamond Systems and 2 days at Belfast Met. I am in my second year now and spend 4 days at work and 1 day at the Met. In my first year, one of my days at the Met was theory based while the other day was practical, where I build my own alarm system and get to know the different components included in the system.

Describe a typical day?

When I am out at work with an engineer we have set jobs to complete throughout the day, ranging from intruder alarms to fire alarms, CCTV and access control.  I am enjoying my work, and the most enjoyable aspect of my job is that every day is different, doing and learning different aspects. I think that this is important as I am learning various topics instead of just one.

How would you describe the culture within Diamond?

Focused on helping me to learn. In September 2019, as well as my NVQ, Diamond also offered me the chance to complete a secondary course with Belfast Met, this time specialising in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. I attend this course on Thursday evenings. Doing this course broadens my knowledge on fire alarms, which is not covered as part of my NVQ L2.

What do you like most about your role? 

I am happy to work for Diamond Systems as they have welcomed me into their company and are keen to help me learn.