In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, the government has launched a consultation to begin the process of introducing mandatory certification for fire risk assessors.
What the consultation means
Fire risk assessors play a vital role. For example, they deliver fire risk assessment Northamptonshire to identify and manage risks, and support businesses in mitigating these fire risks to create a safe working environment. However, fire risk assessment Northamptonshire needs to be delivered by qualified fire assessors, who should be appropriately certified.
Current processes
Currently, a property owner or landlord can carry out their own fire risk assessment or can appoint a risk assessor to do it for them. The consultation process will seek to strengthen these standards to make sure that anyone who conducts a fire risk assessment has the proper capabilities or competencies to do so. It will also strengthen powers for enforcement and create career paths, with apprenticeships in mind for young talent to get into fire safety management.
The consultation process is currently running and will close in June. Anyone can view or contribute to it.
Delivering the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Recommendations
This consultation is a key step in carrying out the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which recommended establishing mandatory qualifications for fire risk assessors, with an appropriate framework of standards and certification. Until this is done, self-certified ‘competent people’ may actually not be at all experienced and knowledgeable in how to carry out a fire risk assessment, but still have the legal ability to say that a building is safe.
