Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the commonly asked questions relating to C-TEC’s BS 5839-1 training courses. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page or contact our Marketing Department on 01942 322744 or via email at marketing@c-tec.co.uk
What is BS 5839-1 2017?
BS 5839-1 2017 is the current UK Code of Practice for Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems. It is a fire safety standard that provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around non-domestic premises.
When and where are C-TEC’s BS 5839-1 courses held?
All of our BS 5839-1 courses are held at our Headquarters in Wigan, the full postal address of which is C-TEC, Challenge Way, Martland Park, Wigan WN5 0LD. Click here for directions. Upcoming dates and the number of places available are listed on each individual course page. Our one-day courses start at 9AM sharp and end at around 5PM. Exact times will be communicated to you before each session.
Do I need any prior knowledge before attending your BS 5839-1 courses?
We recommend anyone attending our Design, Installation & Commissioning or Maintenance Courses completes our Foundation Course first. There is also a practical element to our Installation & Commissioning and Maintenance courses for which a sufficient level of competency working with fire panels/electrical equipment is required.
What are CPD Hours?
The definition of CPD Hours is the time a delegate spends in “active learning”, i.e. the actual time they spend being educated on something relevant to their Continuing Professional Development objectives. Typically one CPD hour is equivalent to one CPD point. The number of CPD hours/points awarded for attending C-TEC’s BS 5839-1 courses can be found below:-
Foundation Course – 8 Hours/8 Points
Design Course – 8 Hours/8 Points
Installation & Commissioning Course – 16 Hours/16 Points
Maintenance Course - 8 Hours/8 Points
5 Day Cluster Course (All modules + exam) – 40 Hours/40 Points
CPD hours are allocated by an external CPD certification service provider.
Who or what is FireQual and what will my qualification be?
Established by BAFE, FireQual is a specialist awarding organisation for the fire protection industry working for the betterment of knowledge and skills. FireQual qualifications are delivered by Approved Training Centres such as Ember Compliance Limited who deliver C-TEC’s training courses.
Delegates who pass the FireQual exam offered by C-TEC will receive a regulated qualification in the Fundamentals of the Recommendations for Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems in Non-Domestic Buildings at SCQF Level 6.
In the UK, qualifications tend to be described as levels within qualification frameworks. A number of frameworks exist that use different scales to describe the qualification level achieved. This can be confusing as the broad equivalent of, say, a Level 3 qualification in one Framework may be Level 6 in another.
At present FireQual holds regulated status with the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEAR) and SQA Accreditation with applications in progress with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and Qualifications Wales (QW).
For ease of comparison between national qualification frameworks, the following table describes the corresponding levels between UK national qualification frameworks and the European qualification framework:-

The various qualification framework organisations have come together to produce an explanation guide which can be viewed here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/QualificationsCanCrossBoundaries.pdf
What if I am unable to attend a course I am booked on?
Course cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions laid out here: https://c-tec.store/terms-and-conditions/
What course material will be provided?
Handouts will be provided at all of our courses and these can be taken away at the end of each session. Reference copies of BS 5839-1 2017 will also be provided but these are the property of C-TEC and must not be taken away. Tools and testing equipment will also be made available for the ‘hands-on’ elements of our Installation & Commissioning and Maintenance Courses but these too must not be taken away at the end of the session.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes, a CPD certificate will be issued to all attendees on successful completion of each individual course. In addition, anyone successfully passing the main examination will be issued with a certificate (this exam can only be taken after all modules have been completed).
Where can I stay in Wigan?
You can find a list of hotels within a 5 mile radius of C-TEC here: Hotels
Is lunch provided?
Yes, a hot meal will be provided in C-TEC’s restaurant at approximately 12.30pm. This is included in the cost of our courses. You will be asked if you have any special dietary requirements in advance of the course.
Your website says I will receive special offers and incentives after attending a training course. What will these be?
Offers will vary from time to time but examples may include discounts off additional training courses and occasionally C-TEC-manufactured products.
I have a training course discount code/voucher, how do I use it?
Discount codes can be applied at checkout just prior to payment. Please note discount codes are time-limited so please check the date if your code is not accepted.
Are there any COVID-19 safety measures I need to be aware of?
All of our BS 5839-1 courses are provided in a large room with plenty of working space. Hand sanitiser is also provided. At the time of writing face masks are not compulsory but you are welcome to wear one if you wish.
Do C-TEC offer any other training courses apart from those advertised on this website?
Yes. In addition to the BS 5839-1 2017 courses advertised here we also offer a range of C-TEC product-specific courses that are written around our fire alarm, call system and hearing loop equipment. These courses typically explain how to install and program our equipment and are ideal for installation and commissioning engineers. In addition, we also offer multiple educational based seminars. Full details on all of these can be found at www.c-tec.com/info/product-training.html