The Fire Sector Federation has recently provided an updated insight into the roadmap for certifying the competence of fire risk assessors. This progress follows the establishment of the Benchmark Standard by the Fire Risk Assessors Working Group, which is endorsed by the Federation.
Enhancing Building Safety: A Vital Mission
Proposals and Actions
We are now embarking on another significant phase in enhancing building safety. The proposals formulated by Dame Judith Hackitt, following her Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, exposed the inadequacies within the regulatory landscape preceding the Grenfell Tower tragedy. These proposals triggered various actions, including encouraging the industry to proactively drive its own development—a concept that has strongly resonated with fire risk assessors.
Historical Foundations of Fire Risk Assessment
Regulations and Progress
Fire risk assessment standards have their roots in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which was in place a decade before the Grenfell incident. The government has continuously worked to improve building safety, including revisions to the Fire Safety Order, with additional requirements incorporated through the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Industry-Driven Improvement: A Collaborative Approach
Elevating Standards
Similarly, the industry, through collaborative efforts, has been instrumental in promoting and sustaining improvements. In the critical realm of fire risk assessments, the emphasis is now on elevating standards and competencies. This begins by reaffirming the fundamental principle that the competency of fire risk assessors should be validated by independent third-party accreditation, applicable to both companies and individuals offering such services.
A Collective Commitment to Public Safety
Comprehensive Competency Standards
The fire risk assessor sector within the industry swiftly acknowledged that demonstrating competency would become an essential requirement across all sectors of the built environment. As a result, they collectively committed to a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing public fire safety through the establishment of fire risk assessor competency standards.
Benchmarking Competency: A Three-Tiered Approach
Progressive Standards
Aligned with internationally recognised standards for conformity assessment, members of the Fire Sector Federation’s fire risk assessor sector formulated an Industry Benchmark Standard for Fire Risk Assessors. As reported previously in Fire Safety Matters, this document outlines specific competency criteria for fire risk assessors, with a focus on progressive elevation across three tiers to address increasingly complex risks.
Navigating the Pathway to Competency
Practical Application
The Benchmark Standard’s three tiers, intended for use within the United Kingdom Accreditation Service’s accredited schemes, seek to assist end-users, including ‘Responsible Persons,’ in selecting a suitable risk assessor while simultaneously offering a career pathway for professional development.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition for Experienced Professionals
Adaptable for Experience
The creators of the Benchmark Standard also acknowledged the importance of facilitating transitional arrangements for experienced professionals holding relevant occupational qualifications and experience. Thus, the Benchmark Standard’s design is adaptable to accommodate this transition, considering the numerous existing fire risk assessment processes compliant with the Fire Safety Order.
A Promising Future for Standards
Integration into British Standards
In the near future, the Benchmark Standard will evolve into a British Standard and become part of the BS 8670 Built Environment: Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks. This development is significant, particularly given that sub-section 156(4) of the Building Safety Act will eventually mandate that ‘Responsible Persons’ may only appoint individuals who are competent (and can prove their competency) to assist them in conducting or reviewing fire risk assessments under the Fire Safety Order. This requirement will extend to any premises to which this law is applicable.
The Clarity of Competency
Demonstrating Competency
Consequently, the path to establishing competency as a fire risk assessor has become much clearer. Individuals will need to demonstrate conformity with regulated standards. The Fire Risk Assessors Working Group encourages anyone with a vested interest in this matter to get involved.
Explore Further: Get in Touch
Additional Resource
To access the National Listing of Fire Risk Assessors please click the link below, provided by the Fire Risk Assessment Federation.
Please note an individual cannot join this register unless they are a member of one of the professional registration bodies listed above.