Third-party Certification to support Fire Risk Management

From FPA/IFE Fire Risk Management Journal:

Industry debates role of third-party certification to support risk management


A cross-industry group of leading fire industry figures is debating how to better encourage the use of third-party certification in all areas of fire safety, and to promote higher levels of compliance with UK legislation.

The think-tank, which also includes three MPs, argues that more robust information is needed to help bring clarity to the risk process. In particular, it says that fresh guidance should be introduced to support the Fire Safety Order in England and Wales, the accreditation of fire safety management in a building, and the certification of whole buildings.

Jonathan O’Neill, head of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), said: ‘The current hands-off approach to building regulations – with no mandatory testing of building systems and products – is quite disturbing.

‘As an industry, we are fragmented, and if we can create clearer guidance for the responsible person it would be much better and would provide a statutory defence in law, should it be needed. We have to educate and get the responsible people on side to reduce the risk.’

Discussing third-party certification and moves towards a national scheme, Chris Hughes of Exova Warringtonfire, which sponsored the meeting, said: ‘Products are tested independently, but then they are only as good as the person installing it. The end-user relies on these people being good at what they do – but how are they to find them?’

The debate included representatives from Government, the Association of British Insurers, the FPA, the Association of Specialist Fire Protection, the Chief Fire Officers Association and Local Authority Building Control, as well as Shadow Fire Minister, Chris Williamson, All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety Group chair, Roger Williams, and former Fire Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick.

Participants agreed to explore ways of further developing voluntary guidance for the responsible person, which could be developed as a form of building management guidance in the longer term. A summary of discussions and action points will be circulated to a wider audience.