Competency has become a major buzzword within both the fire safety sector and the construction industry, following the tragedy of Grenfell.
In her final report of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, Dame Judith Hackitt identified a need for both to work together. In doing so, she said it could, “improve individual competencies and evidence the professionalism of the sector.”
She added @fire_qual: “there is a lack of a coherent approach to competence levels and experience required – or professional qualifications where these may be necessary – and how these qualifications and experience should be evidenced so that they are clearly understood by all those operating within the system.”
FireRite and our Qualifications Regime
At FireRite, we take the matter of qualifications very seriously when it comes to hiring staff. Our core team comprises of highly experienced and skilled individuals who regularly take up Regulated qualifications & courses related to the industry via CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
Our Fire Consultancy Team members have more than 30 years experience in the fire industry. This includes extensive regulatory and enforcement positions with the Fire authority in the UK. A minimum threshold of L4 Certificate in Fire Safety. We are third-party certified through @BAFE SP205 and all hold certificates relating to the UK National Occupational Standards. Individual team members also specialise in particular areas such as NHS (HTM-05) social housing, residential care premises, waste management and industrial sites.
Professional bodies asking for ‘more’ in terms of qualifications
The ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection) has already increased membership competency requirements. They want member companies to demonstrate that a certain percentage of their employees have qualifications in Passive Fire Protection, for instance. It’s believed this move will encourage other professional bodies in the fire industry to follow suit in demanding more qualifications.
The report specified a need for third-party assessment to ensure that individuals had the necessary ‘competencies’ to carry out fire safety work and, at the same time, be able to advise others on it.
Meanwhile, another report, this time by the Modern Building Alliance, found that in transforming the building stock in many European Countries, architects were failing to note fire risks associated with energy and resource-efficient innovations. This is because traditional fire safety practices are no longer relevant in many cases.
Fire Professionals involved at the start of a development
The outcome, many academics insist, must be research and educational programmes looking at fire safety engineering as a subject in its own right. It also means fire safety professionals, especially engineers, are involved at the design stage of a building. A report carried out at the University of Edinburgh insisted a more systemic solution be available. This was to consist of a fire engineer signing off work – although in doing so, they were then responsible for any later consequences of the design. The University report also proposed that the job of a fire safety engineer become ‘a protected profession’ by law.
Get in touch
Need to be up to speed with the latest fire safety legal changes? Then get in touch with the team here at FireRite. Call 029 2086 7222 or write to us via sales@firerite.co.uk