Business owners and managers have a lot to maintain. One of them is NFPA codes that often change, and fire inspectors have to be updated with their knowledge.
Your edge over most others is that you should know how to prioritize the safety of individuals where they work, live or play. Your clients need to know that they made the right choice in choosing you as their fire protection provider. Clients want to be assured that their inspectors are constantly updated and aware of all the changes to inspection codes and that they are competent in performing a safe and thorough inspection.
There are different ways to learn about fire inspections, but here are some ways to gain knowledge and advantage over others.
The First Two Methods: Reading and Observing
There are more methods, but these four made sense because they are beneficial for people who learn differently.
However, it is still highly recommended that you undergo the professional training course from NFPA(National Fire Protection Association), and also a huge benefit to have NICET certification.
In this article, we will discuss the 1st two methods: Reading and Observing. These two are grouped because they’re forms of visual learning.
Method One: Reading the NFPA Codes
Reading is still the best method to learn things, but not all of us prefer reading to learn, especially now that we live in a fast-paced era where everything needs to be instant. Reading the full NFPA codes, recommended practices, and standards can’t be done overnight, and it takes time and dedication.
To make sure that information is retained, many students take notes while learning.
Combining reading, a visual learning method, and taking notes will let the knowledge sink in faster.
The bottom line is if you want to be the best in what you do, you have to make sure you know the NFPA codes and standards inside and out.
You will find a lot of free and paid information on the NFPA website. It is a great source of information for the starting out inspectors and the tenured ones who needed updates with the changes.
Method Two: Observing Professional Fire Inspectors
Observing is also a visual method but is more interactive because you’ll watch how actual professional fire inspectors work in the field. As an apprentice in training, you should know how to observe as many different inspection sites and fire inspectors as you can.
Despite being new, it doesn’t mean that more tenured ones can pick up more easily than you. Remember that not all experienced inspectors are excellent at training new ones.
You might learn more from an inspector excited to use fire inspection software about using NFPA 25 codes during an inspection. Not only that but also on how to close a deal.
It is better to send out trainees to observe the best teachers, not just the most experienced ones. Let them observe someone you know who can explain how thorough inspection is done and how to be quick but efficient. The best ones should be able to complete a thorough inspection and at the same time know how to close a deal.
After observing, trainees should pick up all the best practices from a skilled fire inspector.
Encourage them to observe and take notes to retain knowledge and apply it. The trainees can use your fire inspection software to take notes and practice while observing an actual inspection.