FIRE RISK ASSES
REMARKS
stablished as an interim Council care, to ensure that their fire risk assessments
E
at the AGM in November 2008, are suitable and sufficient, resulting in
the 2009 AGM will consist of appropriate fire precautions.
formal elections to the FRA There is a demand by duty holders for
Council. In this period there has credible and competent firms to assist them.
been a lot of ‘finding the boundaries’ and The FIA’s mission is to be able to provide
‘fitting in’ to the existing FIA structure whilst reputable member firms for this purpose.
ensuring the interests of Fire Risk Assessment There is still a long way to go, however, some
providers are fully met and benefits of crucial first steps have been made and a
membership are delivered. network of people has been established.
The repeal of the Fire Precautions Act One of the main areas of focus
in 2006 resulted in loss of certification of has naturally been on ‘defining the
common places of work, and of hotels competence’ of companies providing a Fire
and boarding houses, by fire and rescue Risk Assessment (FRA) service. A ‘Professional
authorities. Fire risk assessment is now the Standards Working Group’ was formed
whole underpinning for the fire precautions immediately and has already established
required to ensure the safety of people in a Code of Practice (CoP) for FIA members
virtually all non-domestic buildings. who provide an FRA service. Only members
The FIA believes there is genuine and who have committed to the CoP will be
justified concern that fire risk assessments promoted in the FIA directory under the
are not always carried out by those FRA heading. The CoP is an initial step, whilst
competent to do so. Many FIA members extensive work continues to establish a
are able to assist the duty holders, on whom robust scheme for membership criteria.
2009 FIA Annual legislation imposes the duty of fire safety There has been lots of discussion with
Conference
professional bodies such as the IFE, IFSM &
IFPO all of whom have their own register
of individuals who they have deemed
competent. Warrington Certification has
launched a fire risk assessor scheme;
NEBOSH have an NVQ scheme as do
ABBE. BAFE are also keen to establish an
overarching scheme. Discussions have taken
place with all, including some Fire & Rescue
Services.
Sorting out a scheme which will work for
the whole industry and that looks at the
trading company providing the service and
the competency of individuals within that
company ‘is like plaiting fog’ as described
14 FIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009
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