New Criteria Proposed for UK Fire Risk Assessors
The UK Fire Industry Association's Fire Risk Assessment Council wants comments on its draft "Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors" document by Sept. 7.
The UK Fire Industry Association's Fire Risk Assessment Council has published its "Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors" document, a draft subject to change after comments are received. The object is to establish a framework for judging the competence of fire risk assessors working in the United Kingdom.
While there is no legislative requirement for a fire risk assessment to be done by a competent person, a third-party consultant is usually hired to assess larger and high-risk facilities, it states. "Moreover in England and Wales, Government guidance to the duty holder is that, where premises are more than four storeys in height, the duty holder should seek the advice of a competent person. In the light of experience, including the emergence of inadequate fire risk assessments for premises that suffered multiple fatality fires, there has been growing concern regarding the competence of those who provide fire risk assessment services to duty holders on a commercial basis," according to the draft document.
The criteria will be used by professional organizations and certification bodies that register or certify fire risk assessors and commercial companies that provide fire risk assessment services. Comments will be submitted on the Competency Criteria Comment Form and e-mailed to [email protected].
The draft and comment form are available at FIA's website. Formed a year ago, the council is a voluntary group of fire industry organizations across the UK, with Iain Cox of the Chief Fire Officers Association serving as chairman.