The Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) has published a new online training program intended to meet the EPA Fire Suppression Technician Training requirements in 40 CFR 84.110(d). Under the authority granted by the AIM Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all technicians who install, service, repair, or dispose of fire suppression equipment that contains HFCs to receive training no later than June 1, 2026 or 30 days after date of hire, whichever is later.
Per the EPA, the training must include an explanation of the purpose of the training requirement and address:
(i) The significance of minimizing releases of regulated substances and ensuring technician safety;
(ii) An overview of regulated substances and environmental concerns with regulated substances, including discussion of other federal, State, local, or Tribal fire, building, safety, and environmental codes and standards;
(iii) A review of relevant regulations concerning regulated substances, including the requirements of this subpart that apply with respect to fire suppression equipment; and
(iv) Specific technical instruction relevant to avoiding unnecessary emissions of regulated substances during the servicing, repair, disposal, or installation of fire suppression equipment at the different types of facilities where the technician might perform such work on fire suppression equipment.
The new FSSA training is a three-module course. Students must complete all three modules and pass an online exam to receive a certificate of completion. EPA requires Employers to maintain a record of technician training for three years.
The modules cover:
- Module 1 – purpose of the required training and the reasons for minimizing emissions of HFCs, CFCs, and halons into the atmosphere.
- Module 2 – pertinent regulations and the fire suppression technician’s role in compliance.
- Module 3 – instruction relevant to safety and avoiding unnecessary HFC emissions during the servicing, repair, disposal, or installation of fire suppression equipment.
The AIM Act Technician Training is in Period 5 of the FSSA Training Program.
The training course is an FSSA member benefit for techinicians linked to their company’s FSSA membership.
Technicians employed by non-member companies may access the training for a fee of $50 until April 17; thereafter the non-member fee is $70 (subject to change).
More information on the FSSA training course is available on the FSSA website “Training Program.”