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Fire Protection Systems – Passive (Micro-credential) (Level 6)

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Fire Protection Systems – Passive (Micro-credential) (Level 6)
Course Summary
Level
Level 6
Credits

15

Fees

Domestic: $960. International: $2,500

Campus
TBC
Duration

10 weeks

Who Can Join

18 years or older

Course Overview

Our NZQA-accredited Level 6 Passive Fire Micro-credential provides a comprehensive overview of all fire-rated systems, offering students clear guidance on the design, certification, compliance, and application of passive fire solutions. The programme covers key areas including fire design, relevant provisions of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC), fire testing, Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) requirements, and the passive fire knowledge expected of an Independent Qualified Person (IQP).

Well-structured and peer-reviewed by a panel of industry experts, this qualification is designed for professionals looking to build or advance their careers in passive fire protection, as well as those who need a deeper understanding of passive fire systems to make informed decisions. Build the knowledge and confidence to design, specify, install, inspect and manage passive fire protection systems.

Highlights
  • Basics of fire design (C/AS2)
  • Protection of structural elements
  • Principles of fire and smoke compartmentation
  • Firestopping systems: design, compliance and field of application
  • Live fire testing workshop at FTSL (Accredited Fire Testing Laboratory)
  • Certification, compliance and design of ductwork protection and dampers
  • Fire testing, reporting, permissible variations and assessment principles
  • Fire doors: compliance, key components, typical damage, repair and replacement
  • BWOF, IQP and compliance schedule, inspection, maintenance and reporting (IMR)
Career Opportunities

This programme is suitable for:

  • Beginners - Anyone wanting to learn about passive fire protection with no prior knowledge or experience.

  • Installers - Those wanting to strengthen their knowledge of fire design, fire-rated systems, performance and compliance.

  • Council Inspectors - Those wanting to better understand passive fire protection and identify potentially misleading or non-compliant work.

  • Passive Fire Consultants - Those wanting to expand their expertise beyond service penetration firestopping into other fire-rated systems.

  • IQPs - Those seeking TA approval to inspect specified systems SS 3.3, SS 15.2, SS 15.3 and SS 15.5.

  • Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers & Site Managers - Those wanting to strengthen their knowledge of passive fire protection.

  • Architects - Those working with passive fire protection schedules who want a stronger understanding of fire-rated systems.

Programme Information

Graduates of the Micro-credential in Fire Protection Systems – Passive will be well-prepared for roles within the building compliance, fire safety, and construction sectors. The skills developed in this programme are highly valued across industries focused on the built-in fire safety performance of buildings.

Graduates of this micro-credential will be well-prepared for employment in roles that require an understanding of passive fire protection, including:

  • Compliance Technician or Assistant Building Surveyor, supporting Building Warrant of Fitness inspections and fire safety audits.
  • Fire Protection Compliance Officer, working within local or territorial authorities.
  • Fire Safety Advisor or Support Officer in engineering consultancies, property firms, or construction companies.
  • Technical support roles in passive fire system supply or installation companies, focusing on documentation and regulatory compliance.

For entry to this programme, applicants are required to have:

  • NCEA Level 2; and
  • A minimum total of 48 credits at Level 2 in four subjects, including mathematics; or
  • Equivalent qualifications (e.g., International Baccalaureate or Cambridge); or
  • Equivalent credits from appropriate trades training and/or demonstrated skills and experience.

 

Special Admission and Discretionary Admission are also available for applicants aged 20 and over who do not meet the general admission requirements. Contact our enrolments team to discuss your situation.

Indicative content:

  • Understanding of fixed fire systems and the principles of fire cells
  • Fire resistance ratings and their determination
  • Comparison of fire and smoke separations
  • Behaviour and use of timber, brick, stone, reinforced concrete, cast iron, steel, aluminium and glass; gypsum, concrete, timber and block / masonry wall and floor systems; smoke and fire doors
  • Smoke and fire windows; smoke and fire curtains; smoke barriers and baffles
  • Fire testing background, history and development; various fire testing procedures and time-temperature curves.
  • Collars, wraps and sealants
  • Intumescent properties of materials; intumescent paint for steel and timber
  • Cementitious sprayed-on coatings and board protection
  • Inherent fire-resisting properties of natural building materials
  • Documentation required on completion of installation of a fire safety system

This micro-credential is one of three NZQA-listed fire-related micro-credentials offered by FutureSkills. It can be taken on its own, or as part of a planned pathway toward the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Fire Engineering).