Initial Application

To be eligible to apply for your FESS Apprentice card you must be enrolled in the Modern Apprenticeship in Fire Emergency & Security Systems (SCQF level 6) or approved equivalent. that leads to the requirements of the ECS FESS Systems Technician gold card.

To be eligible you must provide evidence:

• of the apprenticeship training programme being undertaken, and
• confirmation from your employer stating that they support the apprenticeship.

In addition, you must have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months). There are no exemptions that can be used when applying for this card.

You must enclose copies of all relevant documentation and certificate(s); your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.

Initial Application

The FESS Labourer card is for people working in the electrical industry in a supportive role to assist qualified staff with the installation of cables and other unskilled work under supervision.

To be eligible to apply for your first FESS Labourer card you must meet the criteria in either Route 1 or 2.

Route 1

You must provide the SJIB with evidence you have completed a FESS technical qualification.

In addition, you must have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment.

You must enclose copies of all relevant certificates; your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application

Route 2

If you do not hold a FESS technical qualification (Route 1) you must provide evidence that you have completed one of the following Health & Safety courses: you must also provide evidence of one of the Health and Safety qualifications as described below.

Health and Safety Requirement

• CCNSG Safety Passport – National or Renewal course; or
• CITB Health and Safety Awareness: Site Safety Plus; or
• SELECT Electrotechnical Site Safety Assessment (TESSA) course

ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment

If you completed one of the above Health and Safety qualifications over three years ago, you must also have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months).

Proof of engagement in the electrotechnical industry

You must also provide evidence of engagement within the electrotechnical industry. This can include (i) a written reference from your employer to confirm you are employed by that company. View more details on what should be included in your reference (ii) If you normally work for an employment business, a signed letter from the business to confirm your dates of engagement as a FESS Labourer (iii) an electrical qualification or certificate, or enrolment on a relevant course (iv) offer letter / contract of employment / payslip from electrotechnical business or similar.

You must enclose copies of all relevant certificates; your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.

Initial Application

The FESS Systems Operative card is for people working in the FESS industry as a specialist installer or maintainer of FESS Systems.

To be eligible to apply for your first FESS Systems Operative card you must:

Hold the ECS Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) assessment in the industry sector discipline you are applying for:

• Fire
• Fire & Emergency Lighting
• Fire & Safety
• Security

A guide to the assessment, the preparation required and how to book is available – sjib.org.uk/fess-assessment (Please ensure to read all of the information).

OR

Have completed on of the recognised qualification routes (currently only for the fire pathway)

In addition, you must have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months).

You must enclose copies of all relevant documentation and certificate(s); your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.

If you have successfully completed the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment and wish to apply for a FESS Systems Technician (Gold Hatched) ECS card, please contact the SJIB:

In addition, you must have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months).

Initial Application

The FESS Systems Technician (Gold) card is for operatives that have gained the industry recognised Modern Apprenticeship in Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (SCQF level 6) or approved equivalent.

Working at this level typically involves carrying out duties unsupervised that include installation and maintenance of FESS Systems.

To be eligible to apply for a FESS Systems Technician (Gold) card you must:

• Have successfully completed the Modern Apprenticeship in Electronic Fire & Security Systems (SCQF level 6) or approved equivalent.

In addition, you must have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months).

You must enclose copies of all relevant documentation and certificate(s); your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.

Initial Application

To be eligible to apply for a FESS Technical Manager’s card you must successfully meet all of the requirements of the FESS Systems Technician ECS gold card.

AND

Have completed one of the following Health and Safety courses within the last three years:

• Construction Skills (CITB) Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
• CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
• CCNSG Safety Passport – Supervising/Leading a Team Safety course
• NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety
• UK Degree level Health and Safety qualification.

If your Health and Safety qualification was achieved over three years ago you must also complete the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months)..

You must enclose copies of all relevant documentation and certificate(s); your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.

Initial Application

The FESS Technical Auditor ECS card is for auditors that have met both technical competencies (such as FESS or electrical gold card holders) and auditor qualification/certification requirements.

To be eligible to apply for a FESS Technical Auditor card you must:

Hold an auditor qualification or certification such as:

• IRCA Certified Auditor, Lead Auditor or equivalent
• Regulated qualification at Level 3 or above for auditing or assessing competence in the workplace

AND

Hold sector qualifications or training such as:

• Level 3 or above apprenticeship, vocational qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline e.g. Modern Apprenticeship in Fire Emergency & Security Systems or experienced worker assessment.
• Note: This requirement can be met by holding an ECS gold card
OR
• Relevant third-party assessment for the applicable sector*
OR
• Employer confirmation of relevant training to the same standard for those who are already undertaking Auditing roles*

AND

Have a minimum of 5 years’ technical experience working in the applicable sector (i.e., Fire or Security)

AND

Complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on relevant standards, evidence of auditor meetings, technology updates or other evidence on renewal as applicable and in line with inspectorate requirements

AND

Have completed the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment (within the last 30 months).

You must enclose copies of all relevant documentation and certificate(s); your application cannot be processed without this information.

If you meet the criteria and have all the relevant certificates, complete the Initial Application.