The Joint Industry Board (JIB) for the electrical contracting industry has awarded the 2000th Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Fire and Security card.
This marks a milestone in the development of the ECS, the board claims, as a pan-industry scheme. Administered by the Joint Industry Board, the ECS scheme is affiliated to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and is designed to meet the requirement of the industry and the Major Contractors Group that all on-site personnel carry a recognised health and safety and skills competence card. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the British Fire Protection Systems Association (BFPSA) signed up to ECS. As a result, two new disciplines – emergency and security systems and fire detection and alarm systems – have been added to the ECS scheme.
What they say
Welcoming the issue of the 2000th Fire and Security card, Sir Michael Latham, Chair of the JIB said: "The addition of these two new disciplines to ECS is indicative of the construction industry answering the Government’s call to work together to increase health and safety and competence levels. The overall aim of the ECS is to secure effective levels of health and safety. The availability of the fire and security card is a definite step forward." All applicants for new or renewed ECS cards have to undergo a mandatory health and safety assessment. Health and safety awareness is indicated by the ‘ECS assessed’ hologram on the card.
BFPSA Marketing Manager, Terry Martiny, said: "The issuing of the 2000th fire and security card is a milestone that should be noted, for it underlines the high level of co-operation between the organisations concerned. Many BFPSA members belong to all of the trade associations and so the pan-industry credentials of the ECS scheme underline its relevance.” BSIA Service Development Manager, Chris Pinder, said: "In order to work safely on a construction site, it is essential that personnel have the necessary levels of competence and health and safety awareness. This card demonstrates security and fire system installers have that knowledge. We are pleased to be working with BFPSA, ECA and the JIB on this important industry initiative." Tony Morgan, ECA President said: "Today is an example of what can happen when we work together and we sincerely hope that this is just the start of co-operation between the ECA, JIB, BFPSA and BSIA. Collaboration on such initiatives is to the benefit of all and those concerned should be congratulated on the continued development and growth of the ECS scheme."
About the Joint Industry Board (JIB)
It came into being in 1968 and is the collective term for the partnership between the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Amicus as distinct from the administrative organisation which was created to carry out their joint decisions. The JIB is governed by its National Board which consists of an equal number of representatives from the ECA and Amicus as well as a Public Interest member. It meets under its independent chairman Sir Michael Latham.
