Course Details

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ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Classification & Pre Calculated Commercial Fire Sprinkler System Design (New Entrants) - Every Tuesday for 15 weeks

 02/03/2027
 13 spaces available
 Remote Learning (held online as a virtual classroom where the candidate will be invited via Microsoft Teams))

Qualification Purpose:

This course and Qualification (ABBE L5 Diploma in Classification & Pre-calculated Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems Design is referenced as the Bafsa Competency Exam 'Unit 3' in the LPS1048 Issue 6 Scheme document 'GN13 Competency Requirements’ and replaces the LPCB Basic Design Competency Exam. This qualification is required to demonstrate LPS1048 Issue 6 Scheme competency compliance for the design verification practice for Category C & D sprinkler works.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Engineering HNC or 6 standard grade GCSE's of which they must have Maths, English, Science (any) or
  • One years experience in fire sprinkler design 

Enrolment Requirements: FULL NAME, PERSONAL email address and Photographic ID is to be provided by the candidate prior to course access. Enrolments and course fee payments are to be made via the BAFSA - eportal

Time on Programme: 

Programme duration is 18 months to allow for submission of work based evidence and completion of required exam. The course will run every Tuesday for 15 weeks. 

Programme Content:

Followed by regular submission  of formal course work to be completed and uploaded within 18 months from the end of the Virtual Classroom :

  • Prepare a 1500-to-1600-word essay outlining the steps in preparing a specification for a High School sprinkler system.
  • Prepare an outline specification for a 16-metre-high storage warehouse sprinkler system.  
  • Space the sprinkler on the provided AutoCAD drawing.
  • Size the pipework on the provided “Drawing D”
  • Submit a pre-calculated sprinkler design incorporating an Installation control valve, false ceiling protection, void protection and pressure loss calculations.
  • Submit a pre-calculated sprinkler design incorporating water supplies (inc, storage tank. electric & diesel pumps, below ground mains), Installation control valve, sprinkler installation and pressure loss calculations.
  • Submit a simple P&ID for the previous design exercise

(Full details of all course work requirements and submission dates are contained in the attached Candidate Induction & Programme Guide)

Successful completion: This will require: :

  • Attend 15 days virtual classroom (with course work) 
  • Completion of the 7 formal course work submissions
  • Sit and Pass the Exam
  • Attend a Technical interview (Which will be recorded)

Note : Candidates who miss any of the days from the virtual classroom will need to catch up in their own time, the classroom is not recorded, only guidance can be given through the monthly “open forums” that are available for 12 months from the start of the course.

Methods of assessment : Continuous Assessment including:

Participation in the virtual classroom, course theory and discussions sessions including sharing of experience, questioning and feedback.

  • Completion of assessment at the end of each section of the course
  • The candidate will have to submit the formal coursework onto the Bafsa Portal.
  • Exam (as detailed in Annex ‘A’)
  • Carry out a Technical Interview.

The Course Tutor does not assess a candidate, this is carried out by an independent assessor, one in every 5 assessments are verified by a second assessor, on occasion we may have a candidate work assessed by a third assessor if course work submission is not clear.

A candidate may not get feedback if  they pass the minimal requirements, however feedback will be provided if you fall short of the minimal requirements.

Assessors will endeavour to assess work as it is submitted, assessors need between 4-6 weeks to check each submission. Therefore we require candidates course work to be uploaded as indicated in the full Candidate Induction & Programme Guide timescales.

If course work is submitted in accordance with the stipulated timescales a candidate will have 4 weeks to resubmit coursework on the tutors comments.

There is only opportunity to resubmit coursework.

Late submissions are NOT PERMITTED to be resubmitted.

If a candidate work falls short of the minimal requirements they will will need to retake the course.

Support & Support and Guidance

 Guidance from your Tutor:

Candidates are invited to a monthly “Open Forum” for 1 hour per month where they can raise questions for technical queries and guidance, this will last for 12 months from the start of the course.

Guidance from your Assessor:

Once an assessor has marked a candidate coursework and provided feedback contact can be arranged for any questions.

Progress reviews (Monthly)

A monthly reminder email will be provided.
Candidates must demonstrate progress by meeting the post course work submission dates.
Extension requests must be submitted via BAFSA E-portal before programme 4 weeks before the deadline.

Material you require for the course

You must have access to:

  • LPC Rules inc BS EN 12845.
    • Up to date LPC Technical Bulletins.
    • A Good Internet Connection
    • A Quiet Space to Learn
    • a scientific Calculator (not an iPhone)

Computer programmes required to complete the Course.

You must have:

  • Microsoft Word or equivalent.
  • Excel or equivalent.
  • AutoCAD or drawing program.
  • Web cam which must be on at all time during the virtual classroom.
  • Stable internet connection (minimum recommended 10 Mbps).

Bafsa unit 3 – Classification and Pre calculated System Design Final Exam

Annex ‘A’ (Full details of this exam are contained in the attached Candidate Induction & Programme Guide . 

This Exam is one of the formal assessments on the course and a candidate is required to achieve a pass in this exam. 

The components of the examination are clearly stated within this prospectus, and the standards required are necessarily high, but consistent with a thorough understanding of the design and basic calculation and construction of a sprinkler system designed using pre-calculated design principles with water supplies.

The exam is split into 6 sections

Section 1    -    Sprinkler Installation Design Principles.

Section 2    -    Sprinkler Head Types and Uses.

Section 3    -    Installation Control Valve Types and Uses.

Section 4    -    Sprinkler Head Spacing and Location.

Section 5    -    Pre-Calculated Method of Pipe Sizing

Section 6    -    Water Supply Requirements

The candidate must demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the LPC Sprinkler Rules (BS EN 12845) applicable to pre-calculated designs and water supplies by demonstrating an ability to perform certain key tasks accurately.

The design of sprinkler protection to Light Hazard is not covered in this exam as this type of protection is rarely used.

If you Fail 1 section, you can resit that Section.

 If you Fail 2 sections or more, you will need to resit the full exam.

 You will only be allowed one resit.

ISSUING OF A QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATE :
Following successful achievement of ALL course components by the candidate there is further activity required which is undertaken by an independent verifier and the Awarding Body (ABBE) before any certificate can be awarded. This process can take up to 45 days. This activity is required to ensure that the candidate evidence demonstrates Validity,
Reliability, Comparability, Manageability and Minimises Bias and the qualification remains robust.

A certificate will reflect the pathway chosen by the candidate:

  • ABBE L5 Diploma in Classification & Pre-Calculated Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems Design 

BAFSA has no influence in these steps. A candidate Record of Achievement (evidence of completion) is put forward by their assessor for internal verification by an independent verifier. If any evidence is missing or not meeting the specification, it is returned to the to the assessor for remedial action. Once internal verification is complete, the record of achievement (evidence of completion) is provided to ABBE (Awarding Organisation) for verification and certification. If any evidence is missing or not meeting the specification, it is returned to internal verifier for remedial action.

Skillcard: An Industry Skillcard (back skilled worker card - Commercial Fire Sprinkler Engineer) has a requirement that above mentioned  qualification is held.  An SSTSM or SSSTS certificate is also required. 

Programme Cancellation & Candidate Reallocation Requests:

For further information: Please visit BAFSA Cancellation & Candidate Reallocation Policy. This can be found on the Home Page of the BAFSA eportal. All requests must be received by BAFSA no later than 21 days prior to course commencement. 

£4,400.00