BPD1 course in English: Dutch fire safety regulations explained
Working on Dutch projects without a solid grasp of Dutch fire safety rules is risky. Our Brandpreventiedeskundige 1 (BPD1) course teaches you how the Bbl (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving) deals with fire safety, and how to assess a building plan against it. On request, we run the course in English for international engineers and advisers.
What is BPD1?
Brandpreventiedeskundige 1, Fire Prevention Expert level 1, is the recognised Dutch qualification for professionals who assess the fire safety of buildings. It covers the regulatory framework, fire compartmentation, escape routes, load-bearing structures, fire safety installations and the integrated assessment of complete building plans.
The course is taught at upper-secondary vocational to bachelor level (MBO+/HBO). Hobéon has awarded the course 11 study points.
Who it is for
The English course is designed for professionals who work on Dutch projects but are not fluent in Dutch, such as:
- installation and building services engineers
- architects and structural engineers
- fire safety and building physics consultants
- project managers and quality assurance officers
- facility and real estate managers
No specific prior education is required. Being able to read building drawings is an advantage.
Course content
The course takes ten days and is offered as one complete programme.
Days 1–4 – Building plan assessment, basic
The Bbl and the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet), fire compartmentation, escape routes, load-bearing structures, and an introduction to fire safety engineering and equivalent solutions.
Days 5–8 – Building plan assessment, advanced
Fire safety installations, fire spread, smoke production, fire and smoke resistance, building types, façades and roofs.
Days 9–10 – Integrated building plan assessment
Assessing complete building plans as a whole, plus exam preparation.
All lessons are taught by our own advisers, who work on fire safety projects every day. You receive a comprehensive syllabus.
The exam and diploma
The exam is administered by an independent examination body, Ibex or ISAC, and consists of three parts:
- a multiple-choice theory test
- open questions on a case study
- a practical building plan assessment
A minimum score is required for each part. Successful candidates receive the Brandpreventiedeskundige 1 diploma.
Please note: the exam is only available in Dutch. Obtaining the diploma is therefore difficult without a good command of the language. Even without the exam, the course gives you a thorough understanding of Dutch fire safety legislation. Participants who do not sit the exam receive a certificate of participation.
English-language group: how it works
We run an English group once enough participants have registered.
- Minimum group size: five participants
- Indicative price: €3,500 per participant, excluding VAT
- Exam fee: not included
- Location: our training room in Kolham, near Groningen
- Lesson times: 09:30 – 17:00
Planned dates: spring 2027
The next English group is planned for ten Thursdays, from 18 February to 22 April 2027. It goes ahead once at least five participants have registered.
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Thursday 18 February 2027 |
| Day 2 | Thursday 25 February 2027 |
| Day 3 | Thursday 4 March 2027 |
| Day 4 | Thursday 11 March 2027 |
| Day 5 | Thursday 18 March 2027 |
| Day 6 | Thursday 25 March 2027 |
| Day 7 | Thursday 1 April 2027 |
| Day 8 | Thursday 8 April 2027 |
| Day 9 | Thursday 15 April 2027 |
| Day 10 | Thursday 22 April 2027 |
Exam: date to be confirmed.
Once the group is complete, we confirm the schedule and send a definitive quotation. Would you like to train several colleagues at once? Please get in touch to discuss the options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the BPD1 exam in English?
No. The exam is only available in Dutch. The course itself is taught in English.
Is the course useful without the diploma?
Yes. You will learn how Dutch fire safety regulations work and how to read and assess a building plan against them. That is valuable for anyone designing or engineering buildings in the Netherlands.
When does the next English group start?
The next English group is planned to start on Thursday 18 February 2027, provided at least five participants have registered. Register your interest and we will keep you informed.
Is there a Dutch version of the course?
Yes. We run the Dutch BPD1 course regularly. See munnikbrandadvies.nl for dates.
Interested in the BPD1 course in English?
Let us know how many participants you have in mind. We will add you to the English group and keep you informed about the start date.