Fire risk industry needs national register28 October 2010

A national register of fire risk assessors should be set up, to protect the owners and managers of buildings from potentially huge fines and possibly imprisonment.

That's the warning from Warrington Certification. WCL manager Simon Ince makes the point that the courts continue to see prosecutions brought against those found to be in breach of the legislation. And he suggests the reason is poor standards of fire risk assessments, with around 40% of audited risk assessments unsuitable.

Speaking at the Firex North exhibition in Manchester, he highlighted the stark reality facing plant and building owners and managers trying to comply with legislation, who employ fire risk assessors.

"There are national registers for many industries, so why not for fire risk assessors, who are handling something so important where lives and property are at stake? We are asking for support from all relevant bodies and the government's Department for Communities and Local Government," he said.

David Sugden, chairman of the Passive Fire Protection Federation, agrees: "The Approved Document B under Building Control regulations already asks for a product conformity certification scheme and an accreditation of installers scheme. So this should equally apply to fire safety," he said.

DCLG, the department responsible for fire safety legislation in England and Wales, has meanwhile expressed its initial positive response on behalf of Fire Minister Bob Neil. "There would appear to be real benefits to responsible persons if it were possible for the sector to develop and publicise a single register."

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the 'responsible person' – that is the owner, manager or employer – must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.

WCL's own Fire Risk Assessors Competency Scheme (FRACS) will adopt the competence standard for fire risk assessors once the competence council publishes later this year. Initial evaluation suggests that only very minor additions need be added to the technical schedule.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Exova Warringtonfire

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.