Providing Expert Installer Training on the Isles of Scilly

Aico’s Regional Specification Manager for the South West, Steve Bulley recently visited the Isles of Scilly to provide Aico’s Expert Installer Training and support on a range of topics to local clients including the Isles of Scilly Council, Duchy of Cornwall, Fire and Rescue Service, local contractors and Housing Associations.

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago located off the Cornish coast, in Southwest England. There are five inhabited islands consisting of St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher and St. Agnes.

These rural communities have a large amount of holiday let accommodation and were concerned with the level of awareness surrounding the recent revisions to BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020, which recommends a Grade D1 or LD1 in self-catering premises or premises with short-term paying guests. Guidance for compliance updates and the best way to support landlords with these standards were provided to attendees

Aico’s Expert Installer Training scheme is a free, FIA CPD-accredited course designed to ensure Electrical Contractors have all the information they need to install domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Systems. Guaranteeing effective fire safety protection for their customers relies on alarm systems being installed correctly.  After being unable to facilitate Expert Installer training in previous years due to coronavirus restrictions, the opportunity proved popular. The core module was delivered at The Scillonian Club in Hugh Town on St. Mary’s.

Ian Maccraigach  from Mackerach Marine attended the course and commented ‘We are so grateful to Steve for agreeing to spend some time in our community. We rarely see such support and the information provided will help to keep both our visitors and residents safe.’

The local contractors and the Isles of Scilly Council were provided information and a demonstration of the HomeLINK Connected Home Solution. The Ei1000G Gateway is able to connect wirelessly to any SmartLINK, RadioLINK or HomeLINK enabled device. The system can extract and collate all the data directly from alarm heads and Environmental Sensors, with all the data available from a user-friendly dashboard. These actionable insights enable preventative measures and proactive maintenance of Landlords’ housing portfolios.

Contractors were eager to inform landlords of local holiday accommodation about the benefits of the environmental sensors and due to thef successful completion of Expert Installer training, they have the ability to install these products to provide peace of mind to their clients.

The local Council were interested to explore the potential of the environmental sensors within social housing and the benefits the Connected Home Solution could provide for their residents.

Ciaran Dean  from Scilly Council highlighted ‘We see the Gateway as a key tool in ensuring the life safety of the Island residents. Real-time notifications are vital in this remote community. Steve has always provided first-class advice, service and technical knowledge and it was fantastic to be able to welcome him to Scilly. Thank you Aico.’

Upon successful completion of the training, attendees were encouraged to become a member of the Aico Installer Community Online – a connected platform built to support Expert Installers with carefully designed educational challenges to inspire members to expand their knowledge of home life safety devices.

Expert Installers who are a member of the community are eligible to participate in Aico’s free-of-charge City & Guilds Assured Qualification, designed to give a detailed understanding of the design, installation, maintenance, interconnection, siting, and electrical connection of domestic fire and carbon monoxide alarm systems.

Aico is a leader in home life safety, promoting best practice, engaging with communities and delivering safer homes through education are core values for the organisation. Aico plans to continue to work closely with the community in the future and Steve Bulley, added ‘After coronavirus postponed a previously planned visit, it was great to finally make it out into the North Atlantic to visit the Isles of Scilly. I keep in contact with many clients on the Islands and it was great to finally be able to deliver our award-winning Expert Installer Training in person and update them on our groundbreaking Gateway. A product which is seen as vital to isolated communities like this. I’m already looking forward to returning next year!’

To find out more about our Expert Installer Training please visit – www.aico.co.uk/our-services/expert-installer-training