Without a competent fire risk assessor, businesses endanger people and property. It’s essential that those conducting a fire risk assessment have proper training and credentials illustrating competence.
With Peninsula's , companies get 40 years' experience and a service that's PAS79 and BS9792 compliant.
A gap in knowledge or lapse in concentration could have serious consequences. Our guide looks at how to ensure fire risk assessors are suitably equipped to fulfil their duties.
With Peninsula's , companies get 40 years' experience and a service that's PAS79 and BS9792 compliant.
A gap in knowledge or lapse in concentration could have serious consequences. Our guide looks at how to ensure fire risk assessors are suitably equipped to fulfil their duties.
What is the role of a fire risk assessor?
Fire risk assessors identify hazards, assess risks, and recommend control measures to prevent them escalating and posing a threat to life.
Their responsibilities include preparing a thorough written fire risk assessment that meets legal requirements and standards, for example, PAS79-1:2020.
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Why are fire risk assessors important?
Recently, as part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the way fire risk assessors operate has been subject to recommendations and revision.
Traditionally, the sector is self-regulated, but with reform, fire risk assessors will adhere to a more structured framework with tiers, third-party certification, and compulsory professional development.
Increasing fire risk assessor competence and professional standards is driven by the following frameworks and practices:
What is BS 8674:2025?
BS 8674 is a British Standard acting as a code of practice for the competence of fire risk assessors.
It outlines the meaning of competent in relation to the industry and creates a benchmark that must be met.
The capabilities of a fire risk assessor are divided into three tiers to ensure they have relevant skills and experience needed for a range of buildings of varying complexities.
- Foundation: This tier is suitable for simple premises like small offices and shops
- Intermediate: Appropriate for buildings considered to have moderate risk, like schools and hotels
- Advanced: This tier applies for high-risk buildings such as hospitals
Compulsory accreditation and third-party certification
As mentioned, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has been a catalyst for change. One of the recommendations is to set up a mandatory accreditation system that’s governed by a regulator.
This recommendation encourages fire risk assessors to obtain third-party verification via certification bodies like the BAFE SP205 Scheme.
These fire risk assessor certification schemes require individuals to showcase their skills and knowledge, ensuring their work is supported by a competent Validator.
In contrast to operating on the basis of experience, securing third-party certification showcases evidence of competence.
Fire risk assessor training
Knowledge and skills are integral to the execution of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Therefore, regular, comprehensive fire risk assessor training is key to the role.
Training should cover understanding fire hazards, the laws surrounding fire safety, as well as approaches to conducting fire risk assessments.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Fire safety legislation and building regulations frequently change, which necessitates regular CPD activities to be logged.
Upskilling includes achieving fire risk assessor qualifications such as the FireQual Level 5 fire risk assessment.
Completing fire risk assessor courses ensures professionals are informed of the latest changes and are consistently competent throughout their careers.
Review and validation
Consistency is critical and competence should be reviewed periodically. For example, the BAFE SP205 Scheme dictates that competence is to be checked every 36 months.
Reviews ensure that a fire risk assessor maintains their standards and is equipped to respond to transitioning laws and regulations.
Understand competence limits
An element of a fire risk assessor competency framework is that those in the industry do not work outside of their demonstrated ability.
For example, a competent person must concede when a building’s risk is beyond their skillset and decline to conduct a fire safety risk assessment.
FAQs: Raising competence in fire risk assessors
What qualifications should a fire risk assessor have?
Competent fire risk assessors should have the following:
- Hands-on experience in fire safety
- Qualifications
- Continual Professional Development (CPD) documentation
- Evidence of completed fire risk assessor certification schemes
What is the BAFE SP205 Scheme?
The BAFE SP205 Scheme is a third-party fire risk assessor certification scheme that makes sure individuals and organisations are competent.
When is a fire risk assessment required?
A fire risk assessment is needed for all non-domestic premises and shared residential building. It must identify fire hazards, assess risks, and recommend measures for better fire safety.
What should a fire risk assessment include?
Fire risk assessments must encompass:
• Identification of hazards
• An overview of people at risk
• An evolution of existing fire safety measures
• Advice to improve
• A prioritised action plan with respective target dates
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
They should be reviewed every year as standard, or immediately after significant changes to buildings, processes, or personnel.
Concluding: Raising competence in fire risk assessors
Given that fire safety legislation routinely changes, it’s imperative that fire risk assessors are committed to ensure they remain competent.
Without a level of diligence displayed by assessors, fire risk assessments may not be fit for purpose. If that’s the case, risk increases, and so does the chance of injury or death.
Get BAFE-certified fire risk assessments with Peninsula
That’s why all our fire risk assessments are PAS79 and BS9792 compliant. You can be confident that with us, your business receives the highest standard of fire risk assessment.
