Terms and conditions

(Version 2.3 - Last updated 01.11.24)

1. General Terms & Conditions
1.1. Corporate Information
Fire Industry Association Ltd (FIA) is registered in England. Registered number 5989140.
Registered office: Fire Industry Association Ltd, Tudor House, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Rd, Hampton, Middx, TW12 2HD.

1.2. Governing Law
This site is governed by the laws of the country of the UK within which you reside and any dispute or action arising out of this site shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

1.3. Intellectual Property Rights
'Intellectual Property Rights' means any patents, copyright, database rights, design rights, registered designs, trademarks or service marks, trade names or know how (whether registered or not) and all rights or forms of protection of a similar nature existing anywhere in the world. All intellectual property rights on this site are owned by or licensed to the FIA, and may not be reproduced or copied except as set out below. All intellectual property rights on this site are the exclusive property of the FIA (or its suppliers) and may not be reproduced or copied except as set out below. The contents of this site are © Fire Industry Association 2010. The reproduction of any material present on this site is prohibited, except that you may print or download extracts for non-business use.

1.4.    Use of Fire Industry Association Logo & Member Benefits
1.4.1 The FIA logo is a registered trade mark of this Company in the United Kingdom and other countries. Only FIA member companies have the right to use the logo unless otherwise authorised.
By using the FIA Name and/or Logo, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, including additional terms included in FIA Brand Guidelines.

1.4.2 All member benefits are for use by the member company and its employees only. Training & Event bookings where a discount for members is shown is only available to the member company’s employees, not to sub-contractors or subsidiary companies. Other relevant third party benefits are only available (unless otherwise stated) to the member company.
 
1.5. Hypertext Links
Certain hypertext links in this website may lead you to websites which are not under the control of the FIA. When you activate these, you may leave the FIA website. These links are provided solely for your convenience and do not represent any endorsement or recommendation by the FIA. The FIA accepts no responsibility or liability for the contents of any website to which a hypertext link exists and gives no representation or warranty as to the information on such websites. The FIA accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from any contract entered into with any website to which a hypertext link exists.

1.6. No Liability for Unavailability
The FIA does not accept any liability for any loss that may arise if the goods or services advertised within this website become unavailable.

1.7. Use of Cookies
The FIA has a separate cookie policy and privacy policy.

1.8. Members Terms & Conditions
1.8.1 Security Measures to be taken under the Data Protection Act
As a holder of membership data you are under certain security obligations arising from the Data Protection Act 1998. In general terms, this means that you must have appropriate organisational and technical security measures in place to protect this data.

1.8.2. Internet Use Terms & Conditions
The FIA lets you view your member information online for your ease of reference and convenience. Your security is important to us and we have taken steps to put in place appropriate security measures to protect your information. However, you need to recognise that communication and storage of information on the internet can never be absolutely secure and so you need to read through these terms and conditions before you agree to our making your information available online.

1.8.3 Passwords and Protecting Access to your Computer
Do not reveal your password to anyone or write it down where it may be found by others. Try to avoid 'obvious' passwords that would be easy for others to guess, such as your name or the name of a family member. You are responsible for any access to our website made using your password.

1.8.4 Security Breaches
If, despite the precautions and security measures you and we take, you find out that there is a breach of security, please let us know as soon as possible.

We do not accept any responsibility or liability to you in the event that any personal information accessible from any of our websites is disclosed, becomes known, or is intercepted or for any other breaches of security in respect of such information. However, we will use reasonable endeavours to rectify any security breaches which occur through no fault of our own. Nothing this section limits or excludes any liability which we would not be able to exclude or limit by law.

1.9 Contacts
You may contact us by email [email protected]. Such emails are not a 100% secure method of communication. The FIA accepts no responsibility for any loss you may suffer as a result of interception. The FIA advises that you do not transmit any of your personal details by email. We regret that we cannot send to you confidential information by email.

2. Purchase Terms & Conditions
2.1. Price Policy
The FIA is a members' organisation and therefore all pricing favours members i.e. members and non-members price on most items. This provides one membership benefit which helps justify the annual subscription members pay.

2.2. Payment Policy
The default payment is via credit/debit card via SagePay online secure payment, and therefore when you 'proceed to payment' you leave this site and are transferred to SagePay’s secure site. Once they have confirmed the transaction, you are returned to this site.

The FIA does not see, store or hold any credit/debit card details of its customers. Only members are provided with an option to 'pay by invoice'.

2.3. Delivery Policy
Goods will normally be dispatched within five working days from receipt of your order/payment (subject to stock availability). In the event that an item is out of stock we will advise you accordingly and provide an estimated delivery date. Your order may be dispatched in several boxes.

2.4. Export Restrictions
Our e-shop is set up to service customers based in the UK and includes UK shipping costs and VAT. If you wish to place an order for delivery and or invoicing from outside of the UK please contact us and we will advise shipping costs and delivery times based on courier charges.

2.5. Returning Goods – Your Statutory Rights
By law, customers in the United Kingdom have the right to withdraw from the purchase of an item within 14 days of the day after the date the item is delivered. You must inform us within 14 working days starting with the day on which they are delivered, you must ensure that you take reasonable care of goods and return them to us. We will refund the money as soon as possible and at the latest within 30 days of receiving written notice of your decision to cancel.

If your order includes a damaged or missing item(s), please contact us within three working days of delivery. Once we have the relevant information from you we can arrange to deliver a replacement(s). We reserve the right to request the return of the damaged item(s) before dispatching replacement(s) and in the event we find no fault, we reserve the right to charge you for the replacement item(s). Should you be requested to return the item(s) and a fault is confirmed your return postage cost will be refunded.

2.6. Third Party Marketing
By making a purchase, booking a training course or event you are agreeing to us passing on contact details for both you and any delegates booked to exhibiting member companies and sponsors. You are also opting in to receive marketing communications from the FIA. If you do NOT wish your details to be supplied please email us at [email protected] specifying this and we will remove your details accordingly.

2.7. Cancellation of Event Booking
2.7.1. Cancellation by the Customer
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing. The FIA will refund 100% of the deposit in the instance of a cancellation made more than eight weeks prior to the event. Cancellations made within four to eight weeks of the event date will incur a 50% charge of the value of booking; cancellations made within four weeks will incur the full charge of 100% of the value of the booking.

2.7.2. Cancellation by the FIA
The FIA reserves the right to cancel a booking or reschedule dates when necessary. The FIA will not be held liable for any direct or indirect expenses or for any loss of time, earnings or business, should the decision be made to cancel or postpone any booking.

3. Training Terms & Conditions
3.1. Booking & Fees
3.1.1. Bookings must be made through the web booking form

3.1.1.5 FIA members can only book courses for their direct employees. Bookings for other companies are not allowed and any bookings made this way will be cancelled before the training starts or if the training has taken place then the extra cost will be required to be paid by the member company. The FIA retain the right to then remove the login of the company or individual.

3.1.2. FIA members booking on FIA courses will be given the option of payment by credit card or by invoice. Payment through invoice for the booking must be made within 30 days of the invoice date or at least 7 days prior to the commencement of the course whichever comes sooner.

3.1.3. Non-members booking on FIA courses will be expected to pay in full at the time of booking through the SagePay payment facility.

3.1.4. SagePay is a web based payment facility. At the time of payment you will be transferred to the secure site. Once payment has been made you will be transferred back to the FIA site for confirmation of booking. The FIA will be informed electronically by SagePay whether your payment has been accepted or declined. The FIA has no control or influence over the payment facility.

3.1.5. Bookings where the payment has been declined will not be accepted

3.1.6. The FIA does not at any time have access to or store any individual’s bank or payment card details

3.1.7. In exceptional circumstances other means of booking may be made available and accepted at the discretion of the FIA

3.1.8. Late payment for bookings may be accepted at the discretion of the FIA

3.1.9. The FIA reserves the right to refuse entry to any delegate where payment has not been received in full

3.1.10. In the event that a delegate is accepted on a course and payment has not been received the FIA reserves the right to take reasonable action for recovery of all payments owing

3.1.11. It is the responsibility of the delegates’ organisation to ensure that the course booked is fit for the delegates needs. The FIA will not be held liable for any errors in booking

3.1.12 In order to ensure that learners with special requirements receive necessary accommodations for FireQual related Qualifications, any such needs must be communicated at the time of booking and no later than 3 weeks prior to the course commencement. For bookings made within the 3-week window preceding the course start date, adjustments can only be accommodated for subsequent exam retakes. Please note that requests made within this two-week notice period may be subject to additional charges imposed by the exam body, FireQual, to cover their administrative costs.

3.2. Cancellations
3.2.1. Cancellations are to be made by email or in writing to the FIA Training Co-ordinator

3.2.2. Cancellations made more than 7 days prior to commencement of the course will be charged at 50% of the course fee unless, at the discretion of the FIA, an alternative course booking is made at the time of cancellation

3.2.3. Cancellations made within 7 days prior to commencement of the course will be charged at the full rate

3.2.4 Cancellation made within 7 days or failure to attend retake exam will forfeit the free re-sit and the next stage will be to rebook onto the full course again.

3.2.5. Changes to the delegate attending non Qualification courses and Qualification courses will not incur additional cost and must be made by email or in writing no less than 7 days prior to the courses and sent to the FIA Training Co-ordinator. The original booking will be required to be cancelled and a new booking made online with the original booking being either refunded or credited.

3.2.6. The FIA reserves the right to postpone and cancel courses when necessary at any time.

3.2.6.1. The right to cancel or postpone courses on the part of the FIA includes on the day of the course either on the morning before registration or during the course.

3.2.7. The FIA will not be held liable for any expenses, either direct or indirect, or for loss of time, earnings or business, incurred as a result of cancellation or postponement of a course.

3.2.8. In the event that the FIA postpones or cancels a course alternative arrangements will be made available where possible

3.3. Joining Instructions and Course Material

3.3.1. It is the responsibility of the delegate’s organisation to ensure that the delegate has received and understands the joining instructions

3.3.2. Joining instructions will be sent approximately 14 days prior to the training date, if payment has been received. These instructions are sent via the email address entered on the booking form.

3.3.3. The FIA will not be held liable for any expenses, either direct or indirect, or for loss of time, earnings or business incurred as a result of a delegate not being fully aware of course joining instructions

3.3.4. It is the responsibility of the delegate’s organisation to ensure that the delegate understands the course objectives and meets any pre-requisites

3.3.5. In the event that a delegate has a learning disability, reading impairment or physical disability it is the responsibility of the delegate’s organisation to ensure that the FIA is informed in advance of the course, so that any additional arrangements and aids to learning, reasonably available, may be put in to place

3.4. Equipment and Tools
It is the responsibility of the delegate’s organisation to ensure the delegate arrives with any equipment and tools required by the course

3.5 Replacement Certificates

3.5.1. Replacement Certificates will only be issed following confirmation of entitlement through our database and receipt of cleared funds for payment in full

3.5.2. Payments received for replacement certificates are non-refundable

3.5.3. In the event certificate details cannot be located the applicant will be informed in writing. Applicants will be given 28 days to respond before the request is cancelled

3.5.4. The FIA will not change or replace the information included on the certificate at the time of original issue, except where this is to correct an error

3.5.5. The FIA will, at the request of the applicant, remove the company name from a certificate. No other name will be entered in its place

3.5.6. The FIA reserves the right to charge for a certificate to correct an error in the information supplied

3.5.7. Certificates remain the property of the company or individual that placed, and made payment for, the booking. Any request for a replacement certificate must be with the appropriate authority

3.5.8. The  FIA reserves the right to refuse a request for a replacement certificate and will not be held responsible for issuing a replacement certificate to an unauthorised person

3.5.9. By completing the request form the applicant states that they have the appropriate authority for requesting a replacement certificate. In the event that authority is in question the applicant will be sent a written request for further clarification as is considered necessary. Applicants will be allowed 28 days to respond before the request is cancelled

3.5.10. Certificates form part of an individual's person data and are covered by the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. Under the terms of this Act, it is an offence to provide or obtain the personal data of another individual without their knowledge and express consent. Both the FIA and the applicant are required to observe the terms of this Act

3.5.11. By completing this request form the applicant confirms they are requesting a replacment certificate relating to their own awards and not those of another person. Where a company representative is requesting a certificate on behalf of the delegate, they state that they are acting on behalf of the delegate and have the appropriate authority

3.5.12. The FIA reserves the right to refuse to process any application for a replacement certificate if the identity of the applicant is in question. In this event, the FIA will send a written request for such further clarification as is considered necessary. Applicants will be allowed 28 days to respond before the request is cancelled

 

4. Complaints Against FIA Staff or Organisational Actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    We are committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. This commitment applies to all members, employees and other stakeholders, such as volunteers and partners. We believe that everyone is entitled to respect and dignity, and we are committed to building an environment where our employee and members are treated in this way. We want to create a working environment which is characterised by respect and dignity and free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and bullying.

4.1 Purpose                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  This section establishes a process for filing complaints specifically related to FIA staff; Chairs of committees, working groups or Councils; or the organisation's operational actions. Other types of complaints are addressed as follows:

• Member-to-Member Complaints: Refer to Appendix 6.3 of the FIA Leadership Statement. 

• Complaints between Council Members: Refer to the FIA Councils' Code of Conduct. 

This procedure does not apply to these areas to avoid overlap and ensure all complaints are handled by the appropriate protocol.

4.2 Eligibility to File Complaints       

4.2.1 Only nominated representatives of FIA member companies may submit complaints against FIA staff or organisational actions. Therefore, any individual should go through their nominated representative to forward any complaints. It is with the nominated representative only that the FIA will engage and hopefully resolve any complaints.

4.2.2 Complaints from individuals not representing a member company or anonymous complaints will not be accepted.

4.3 Submission of Complaints         

4.3.1 Complaints must be submitted in writing to [email protected]

4.3.2 The complaint should include specific details, including incidents, relevant dates, and any supporting documentation.

4.4 Acknowledgment and Preliminary Review

4.4.1 An impartial investigator within the FIA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within ten business days.

4.4.2 A preliminary review will determine if it qualifies under this procedure. If valid, the complaint will proceed to investigation; if not, the complainant will receive an explanation.

4.5 Investigation Process

4.5.1 An impartial investigator within the FIA will handle the complaint, gathering necessary information and conducting interviews if required.

4.5.2 Timeline: Aimed for completion within 30 business days, with the option to extend if further investigation is needed. The complainant will be informed of any changes to the timeline.

4.6 Resolution and Communication

4.6.1 Following the investigation, FIA will provide the complainant with findings and any resulting actions.

4.6.2 If the complainant remains unsatisfied, they may request an external review by an independent mediator.

4.7 External Review (if required)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                For unresolved complaints, an external mediator may be engaged to conduct a final, binding review, with both FIA and the complainant agreeing to the outcome. If applicable, the FIA and the complainant sharing any reasonable costs associated in engaging an external mediator.

4.8 Confidentiality and Record-Keeping                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        All complaint details will be kept confidential, accessible only to involved parties. FIA will maintain complaint records in line with its data retention policy.