Fire emergency and security systems technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Key information

Reference: OCC0189
Date updated: 01/03/2024
Level: 3
Route: Construction and the built environment
Regulated occupation: No

Details of the occupational standard

T-Levels logo T Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the security sector. Businesses supply fire, security products and services to a wide range of customers and this occupation is found within the private and public sector.

The broad purpose of this occupation is to protect individuals, homes and properties from risk and danger. This might mean installing Fire, Emergency and Security Systems to detect intrusion, provide surveillance, monitor and control access to buildings, properties and sites or to detect fire and emergencies. Technicians would use a wide range of systems using various communication technologies with electrical and electronic components. They can often find themselves working in and outside business premises and customers’ homes.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal colleagues and teams to plan and prepare for their working day. Also, external contacts including customers, to understand their requirements and solve any issues and arising problems. They will also interact with contacts such as on-site workers from other service providers.

A Fire, Emergency and Security Systems Technician in this occupation will be responsible for the planning, installation, testing, commissioning and handover of fire, or security systems equipment. Their responsibilities include carrying out preventative and corrective maintenance, diagnosis of, and repairing faults on systems and their components. Installation of systems must be done in accordance to customer specification and requirements, industry regulations and company quality standards. They will initiate, own and complete processes, tasks and procedures, supporting wider team to deliver security and safety services. They must work within the health, safety and environmental regulations, including use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment. They are responsible for the correct use and maintenance of tools and equipment.

Typical job titles include:

Alarm installer Alarm technician Fire systems engineer Fire systems installer Fire systems technician Security systems engineer Security systems installer Security systems technician

Occupation duties

Duty	KSBs
Duty 1 Work in a safe manner, applying the systems, processes and organisational procedures used to ensure compliance with health and safety and other relevant legislation.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 2 Work with designs, specifications and installation manuals to effectively comply with industry standards and ensure customer expectations have been fulfilled.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 3 Plan and complete first fix cable runs using the correct methods of containment and protection.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 4 Use a range of meters to take measurements and interpret the readings against expected results.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 5 Use different types of data transmission ensuring its security is in accordance with Data Protection legislation.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 6 Complete complex and non-complex installations of fire, access control, intruder alarm and video surveillance systems.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 7 Carry out and record diagnostic tests, maintain and service systems.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 8 Complete the commissioning and handover procedure of a system.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 9 Complete company approved documentation detailing corrective outcomes and produce all required paperwork to handover systems.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 10 Carry out programming and configuration of all fire or security systems.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 11 Isolate communication links to remote monitoring centres, testing links and reinstating.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Duty 12 Train users in the correct operation of their system.	K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17 K18 K19 K20 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Awareness of Health and safety legislations, codes of practice and safe working practices, relevant to the occupation and the operative’s responsibilities. Including Health and Safety at Work Act, BS 7671, BS EN 50131, BS EN 62676 and BS 5839. Back to Duty

K2: Testing techniques for electrical and electronic components used in fire detection and alarm systems. The principles of using meters, applying Ohms law, formulae, calculations and taking readings. Back to Duty

K3: The principles of fire detection and fire alarm systems: features and design criteria, survey methods and impact on the fire safety industry. Back to Duty

K4: Principles and techniques for maintaining fire detection and alarm systems and their components using tests, diagnostics, taking readings and recording information. Back to Duty

K5: Principles of security and fire risk assessments: function, content and how to implement them. Back to Duty

K6: Principles and techniques for maintaining intrusion alarm, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) and their components using tests, diagnostics, taking readings and recording information. Back to Duty

K7: Principles of planning and project management of fire and security system installation: commissioning, and handover. Back to Duty

K8: Data collection, storage and sharing methods and techniques. Back to Duty

K9: Environmental legislation: impact on fire and security systems processes and technologies. Back to Duty

K10: Principles of customer service: technicians' responsibilities, impact on brand, professional image and commercial risks. Back to Duty

K11: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Adapting style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Sector specific terminology. Back to Duty

K12: Principles and techniques for installing and maintaining electronic systems: SI units, quantities, formulae and calculations, electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction, ICT applications, smart Apps and power supplies. Back to Duty

K13: Written communication techniques: paper based and digital. Plain English principles. Sector specific terminology. Back to Duty

K14: Awareness of global carbon reduction needs and application of carbon reduction solutions. Back to Duty

K15: Testing techniques for electrical and electronic components used in intrusion alarms, access control systems and video surveillance systems (CCTV). The principles of using meters, applying Ohms Law, formulae, calculations and taking readings. Back to Duty

K16: Collaboration working techniques with internal and external stakeholders. Back to Duty

K17: Techniques for planning and installing systems cabling; methods of containment and protection. Back to Duty

K18: The use of digital information systems in the fire and security safety sector. Back to Duty

K19: The principles of intrusion alarms, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) features and design criteria, survey methods and impact on the building security industry. Back to Duty

K20: Equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and its impact in the fire and security safety sector. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Comply with safety legislation, codes of practice, risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work and apply control measures. Back to Duty

S2: Complete functionality tests of systems and components during commissioning systems. Back to Duty

S3: Apply and implement system design, planning and installations including additional components to existing systems. Back to Duty

S4: Carry out takeover procedure, diagnose and repair faults. Back to Duty

S5: Operate ICT equipment and systems to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive digital data and electronic information. Back to Duty

S6: Comply with environmental and sustainability, regulations and standards. Back to Duty

S7: Complete functionality tests of systems and components during handover of systems. Back to Duty

S8: Carries out risk assessments. Back to Duty

S9: Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers using sector specific terminology. Back to Duty

S10: Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, as part of a team. Consult and engage with occupants or others who are or could be affected by work (for example vulnerable, older, and disabled people) and respond appropriately. Back to Duty

S11: Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology through written means. Back to Duty

S12: Plan and install systems cabling. Back to Duty

S13: Carry out maintenance activities on fire detection and alarm systems and their components. Back to Duty

S14: Carry out maintenance activities on intrusion alarm, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) and their components. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Puts workplace health, safety and wellbeing first for self and others. Back to Duty

B2: Takes personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes when carrying out duties, using industry and sector environmental best practices. Back to Duty

B3: Promotes equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace. Back to Duty

B4: Committed to maintaining and enhancing competence of self and others through Continued Professional Development (CPD). Back to Duty

B5: Acts ethically. Back to Duty

B6: Collaborates with others. Back to Duty

T Level in building services engineering for construction

Awarding organisation: City & Guilds

Qualification type: T Level Qualification level: 3 Qualification approved: 17/12/2020

T Level in building services engineering for construction

Occupational specialism: Protection systems engineering

Qualification type: T Level

Qualification level: 3

Awarding organisation: City & Guilds

Approval date: 17/12/2020

Available from: 01/09/2021

Aligned occupational standards

Fire emergency and security systems technician OCC0189

Alternative specialisms for this T Level

Air Conditioning Engineering and Refrigeration Engineering
This pathway is aligned to:
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Electrical and electronic equipment engineering
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Electrical, electronic product service and installation engineer OCC0150
Electrotechnical engineering
This pathway is aligned to:
Installation and maintenance electrician OCC0152
Gas engineering
This pathway is aligned to:
Gas engineering operative OCC0155
Heating engineering and ventilation
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Building services engineering ventilation hygiene technician OCC0391
Plumbing and heating engineering
This pathway is aligned to:
Plumbing and domestic heating technician - Domestic air source heat pumps & solar thermal systems technician OCC0303E

Plumbing and domestic heating technician - Domestic gas fired hot water heating appliances technician OCC0303F

Plumbing and domestic heating technician - Non-domestic plumbing technician OCC0303G

Technical education progression profile Find your nearest T Level provider

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

View occupation in map View apprenticeship standard

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Fire emergency and security systems technician

Key information

Details of the occupational standard

Occupation summary

Typical job titles include:

Occupation duties

KSBs

Knowledge

Skills

Behaviours

T Level in building services engineering for construction

T Level in building services engineering for construction

Aligned occupational standards

Alternative specialisms for this T Level

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