FIA Code of Practice
Welcome to the Fitness Industry Association’s (FIA) Code of Practice. The Code is designed to ensure that health and fitness operators maintain a basic level of practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their customers.
By complying with the standards of the Code we can raise the level of operation throughout all FIA facilities and create a symbol of quality that the exercising public will look for before joining a fitness club or centre.
The Code will be externally audited by Active IQ, an established awarding body, with Government approval via the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). Drawing on its specialist knowledge of the industry, Active IQ is ideally placed to be the assessor of the FIA Code of Practice.
Compliance with the Code communicates your commitment to standards, quality and customer welfare. It is an important statement to Government and other regulatory bodies that the health and fitness sector is a professional industry that takes its operation and duty of care seriously. The FIA will assist you in any way it can to ensure you reach the required standards.
The FIA COP is a great tool to make sure that you are on your way to aligning your facility with the Corporate Manslaughter Act which came into affect in 2008, meaning that owners of facilities will be liable if there is a failing in health and safety.
The areas within fitness facilities which are covered by the COP include:
Gym, Sauna, Sunbed, Health and Beauty, Dance/Aerobic Studio, Steam Room, Indoor/Outdoor Pool, Spa Pool, Group Cycling/Spinning as well as customer care, staff training, and general Health and Safety laws (this list is not exhaustive).
To ensure that your facility has the best possible chance of meeting the criteria within the COP, Active IQ will offer extensive support and guidance throughout the process. This begins with a detailed application process to ensure you are aware of all aspects of the evaluation, after which you will be able to book your place on an E-clinic, where an Active IQ evaluator will guide you through the COP, how to prepare for it, and what to expect on the day. This takes place on an internet live link-up, so there is no need to leave your facility.
Your evaluator will conduct the COP evaluation at a date and time that suits you, after which you will receive an extensive written report. If compliant, you will receive your FIA certificate within 15 working days of the evaluation. If non-compliant, the Active IQ evaluator will provide a detailed action plan so that your re-evaluation is successful.
FIA Members can access the full Code of Practice document through the members area of the website. For any further enquires, or to talk to someone about booking your COP evaluation please e-mail cop@fia.org.uk
