Introduction Page to CSA

NEWS AND INFORMATION

5-20-11 Colorado Division of Fire Safety has informed CSA that following review by committee members and administration, select CSA assessments will be formally recognized as satisfying exam requirements for sprinkler fitters which go into effect July 1, 2011. Watch for additional information.

January, 2011 YUMA Arizona: To help meet the needs of our large contractor base in Arizona, CSA is working with ACT, Inc. and Yuma Fire Department to establish a certified proctoring facility in that remote region of the state. A number of jurisdictions in Arizona utilize CSA certifications as demonstrating qualifications. To help contractors in achieving qualifications while minimizing travel costs, CSA hopes to have proctoring available at Arizona Western College by 3rd quarter 2011.

January, 2011 Pikes Peak Regional Building Authority will began requiring external testing for demonstrating qualification requirements of fire protection contractors. Following review of CSA services, CSA has been informed that we will be formally recognized as evidence of satisfying exam requirements for several disciplines including sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and kitchen hoods. CSA has been in discussion with Colorado Division of Fire Safety regarding implementation of state requirements.

2010 CSA Updates Assessments to latest code editions. Every three years as new codes are issued, CSA reviews and updates assessments. While most questions will be valid for the last three code editions to accomodate staggered adoptions by AHJ's, CSA ensures that their assessments also incorporate new requirements.

2008 CSA Transitions testing software. Through the years CSA has continued to review available software options for delivering Internet based testing. Due to the importance of CSA assessments, and the valuable time of contractors away from work to take assessments, we wanted a more secure and reliable platform. Thus, assessments were moved into a new platform that improved reliability and quality. During this transition all questions were reviewed for compliance to 2007 code editions. CSA participants can now access their own Dash Board and view / print past score reports.

2006 CSA signs contract with ACT, Inc. to administer CSA assessments at over 230 certified proctoring centers around the U.S. This allows fire departments to stop proctoring assessments, and moves CSA assessments into dedicated proctoring facilities with certified proctors. All assessments are now audio and video recorded. Participants pictures are taken during sign-in process providing documentation of who took the test. First ACT proctored assessments are delivered in Sioux City, South Dakota with CSA representatives present to ensure the entire process workes as planned. The ACT scheduling system allows contractors to select their own testing locations and times that works best for them. Contractors can go on-line and change a scheduled appointment up to three days in advance.

2005 CSA continues to expand as more jurisdictions recognize CSA in demonstrating code qualification requirements. Partnering sessions are held with contractors to gather their input and identify enhancements.

2004 CSA Expands testing into Arizona. Peoria, AZ Fire Department begins proctoring CSA assessments at their city's computer training facility. This facility allows up to 20 contractors to take computer assessments at a time. Testing is offered twice a week. Within months the City of Phoenix gives up their internal testing development program and requires qualifications through third-party agencies. As a service to customers Phoenix offers two computer work stations for delivering proctored assessments. Upon successfully passing the participants picture is taken and emailed to CSA for professional quality photo ID cards. Several partnering sessions were held prior to implementation with various Arizona fire code officials present. These sessions helped to refine CSA assessments and services.

2002-2003 CSA is Established as a National qualification testing agency (under the name Codes and Standards Assessments). The goal is to establish effective means of evaluating qualifications of fire protection installers. The program must be effective for both the code officials and the contractors. Testing is started in West Des Moines, IA. Assessments are administered via computer at the fire department and proctored by fire department staff. CSA is the first fire protection licensing body to utilize computer based assessments.

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