Fire Risk Assessment membership of the FIA

From Fire Industry Association:

We're pleased to say that the FIA ’s fire risk assessors register currently has 40 member companies.

The FIA changed its membership criteria in April 2011 and requested key pieces of evidence of quality control, insurance and individuals’ competence. The change moves the membership closer towards full third party certification and is a major step forward from the previous declaration to abide by a simple code of practice.

Prior to the change there were 85 companies listed and the exercise has certainly highlighted that many companies will need to establish quality procedures within their businesses if they are ever going to be ready for full third party certification. Whilst we have lost 20 or more companies from the list on a permanent basis we continue to work with another 25 to help them get through the process.

Work on the ‘Competency Criteria’ has continued with the draft for public comment deadline closing on 7th September, the Competency Council has already met and worked through the public comments. There are a few amendments and draft wording currently under further review with the hope that the criteria will be finally published in October. Work has started on a second document, which once agreed, will give guidance (be the signpost) on how Responsible Persons can find competent fire risk assessors. The current thinking is that this will point to third Party certifications schemes.

With BAFE ’S SP205 scheme estimated to be commercially available through at least one Certification Body in April 2012 and Warrington Certification Ltd’s company scheme growing, the timing appears to be coming together nicely. Many will argue that it well overdue but unfortunately these things take time.

The FIA ’s Fire Risk Assessment Council identified training existing members as a way to add value to their membership. The series of CPD days aimed specifically at practicing fire risk assessors have been extremely well received. With Passive Fire Protection, Extinguishing and FD&A days already in the bag, the next two are currently taking bookings.

An update day covering PAS7, PAS 79, SP205, Competency Criteria and Rose Park is planned for 7th October and already has 74 delegates booked. The peoples personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) day on 29th November already has 54 bookings. Plans are now starting to add an Emergency Lighting/Signage/Fire Plans CPD day in February.

The Risk Assessment Council this year has nine vacancies and we are looking to our 40 FRA members to fill these and build upon the work and success of the Council to date.

Fire isk Assessments & Training Ltd has gone through this process and are Registered with The Fire industry Association and The Institution of Fire Engineers.