FireNet Community
FIRE SAFETY => Fire Risk Assessments => Topic started by: Allen Higginson on June 06, 2011, 12:09:21 PM
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As i am being made a man of leisure on the 24th of this month (made redundant) I am looking at my options,and having read a number of FRA's from different sources that are nonsense at best I'm looking a bit of advice - is there a fast track way of becoming a fire risk assessor??
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When I was at Moreton (4+ years ago) we used to do a week long course with the NEBOSH fire exam at the end. If you wanted to go on a register of fire risk assessors I think you could do this after you had demonstrated your competence by providing a number of FRAs you'd completed. They may still run this course so it would be worth enquiring. It won't be cheap.
Stu
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IFE allow a fast track process if you complete an IFE approved course.
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Sorry to hear of your bad news Allen but from the quality of your previous postings I would have thought your inside out knowledge of the alarms sector would have made you hot property and a sure target for any major alarms company. But in terms of a change of direction into fire risk assessment the IFE website gives a number of companies that offer fire risk assessment training and in setting up from scratch franchises are available that provide you with all you need in terms of IT and a recording and reporting system.
I looked at the IT solution offered by this franchiser and thought it quite impressive but too much of a change to adopt in my established business. But it may be worth thinking about if starting out though.
http://www.thefranchisemagazine.net/page/fire-compliance-safety-ltd/new-uk-franchise-opportunity-launched.php
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Is this the company that NT highlighted a few months ago regarding one of its franchisee in NI?
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I really dont know if the companies are related Tom. But Bob is a good guy and his risk assessors course is accredited by the IFE.
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I am looking at my options,and having read a number of FRA's from different sources that are nonsense at best I'm looking a bit of advice - is there a fast track way of becoming a fire risk assessor??
Is this because after seeing how bad some risk assessments are you think "I could charge for churning out this drivel too."?
Seriously though, the fast-track way of becoming a risk assessor is to simply retire from the fire service with no risk assessment experience at all. It seems to have helped some people become risk assessors. (This is not to say that good work is produced from these people, but they are certainly capable of emitting the drivel that you seem to have seen) Also, If you can lead any meeting with "When I was a D.O" then you can probably be a Fire Engineering Consultant.
Actually, that wasn't very serious at all. Sorry if I have not been helpful.
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I am looking at my options,and having read a number of FRA's from different sources that are nonsense at best I'm looking a bit of advice - is there a fast track way of becoming a fire risk assessor??
Is this because after seeing how bad some risk assessments are you think "I could charge for churning out this drivel too."?
Seriously though, the fast-track way of becoming a risk assessor is to simply retire from the fire service with no risk assessment experience at all. It seems to have helped some people become risk assessors. (This is not to say that good work is produced from these people, but they are certainly capable of emitting the drivel that you seem to have seen) Also, If you can lead any meeting with "When I was a D.O" then you can probably be a Fire Engineering Consultant.
Actually, that wasn't very serious at all. Sorry if I have not been helpful.
I have seen quite a few job descriptions where fire service experience is a prerequiste or highly desirable (although they never think to stipulate in what capacity).
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I have seen quite a few job descriptions where fire service experience is a prerequiste or highly desirable (although they never think to stipulate in what capacity).
Quite, and it is not always a good thing. Some firefighters will have you believe that until you have ridden the big red truck with flashy blue lights and experienced as many towering infernos as they have, you can't possible know anything about fire.
That may be true when it comes to firefighting, but it certainly isn't the case when it comes to fire safety. Fire safety and firefighting are two very different things, and you don't need firefighting experience to competently carry out the former. The latter certainly doesn't entitle firefighters to think they are automatically competent at fire safety.
My advice is to get yourself on an accredited IFE accredited risk assessment course, as a foundation then gain some practical experience risk assessing various low risk premises. Depending on what course you choose will determine what level of premises you are competent to inspect.
Slowly build up to more complex and riskier premises and then consider more indepth accredited risk assessment courses if required.
Being competent means you know when something is too complex for you to deal with, and that is the time you can then look at additional training needs and attending courses to address those needs if necessary.
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Alan, we will be doing a fire risk assessment course in NI soon, as the one we did last week was over subscribed and we need to o another.
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I am looking at my options,and having read a number of FRA's from different sources that are nonsense at best I'm looking a bit of advice - is there a fast track way of becoming a fire risk assessor??
Is this because after seeing how bad some risk assessments are you think "I could charge for churning out this drivel too."?
Seriously though, the fast-track way of becoming a risk assessor is to simply retire from the fire service with no risk assessment experience at all. It seems to have helped some people become risk assessors. (This is not to say that good work is produced from these people, but they are certainly capable of emitting the drivel that you seem to have seen) Also, If you can lead any meeting with "When I was a D.O" then you can probably be a Fire Engineering Consultant.
Actually, that wasn't very serious at all. Sorry if I have not been helpful.
Actually,you have nailed it exactly why I am looking at it - an office being advised to install an M system and installing battery smokes in the corridor,with the view to upgrading to mains detectors that will be linked into the system of MCP's and sounders just about swung it for me!!
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Alan, we will be doing a fire risk assessment course in NI soon, as the one we did last week was over subscribed and we need to o another.
Thanks Colin - I'm pushing for a retraining payment at the moment due to various reasons but keep me posted.I'll send you through my new number Colin as I'm getting rid of the present number.
I will have a good luck at the alternatives given and cheers to all for taking the time.
Allen
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Al, if the chips are down, we would help you out with a Toddy superdeal!
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Al, if the chips are down, we would help you out with a Toddy superdeal!
The chips are not only down but the croupier has his rake heading towards my pile!!
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Can I get a "Toddy Superdeal"? And when are you next training in Scotland Colin. Your course has been highly recommended. hugh
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Al, contact my PA if you want and put yourself down for the next course. Tell her not to worry about invoicing for the moment. We can chat about what you can afford in due course.
Hugh, which course did you have in mind. The FRA course is delivered as part of the inspecting officer training at the SFSC. It is sometimes possible to take extra delegates. Email the office with your interest if you want.
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As i am being made a man of leisure on the 24th of this month (made redundant) I am looking at my options,and having read a number of FRA's from different sources that are nonsense at best I'm looking a bit of advice - is there a fast track way of becoming a fire risk assessor??
Hi Allen
My suggestion would be to look for a course with some form of National approval something that is either Ofqual approved or an NVQ I think that ABBE do a level 3 and a 4 qualification and there are plenty of NVQ level courses out there. The trouble with non approved training is that every Tom, Dick and Harry runs courses these days and they don’t have any external checks or audits. The second bit of advice would be to get a recommendation from someone re the delivery of the course, some trainers are very poor at getting information across and to learn you need to be engaged. The third point is assessment process what do you have to do to pass your final assessment. If it’s an open book exam at the end of being spoon fed for 5 days forget it, any Muppet can pass that type of assessment. Finally check on the after support, you will have paid a lot of money for training; does the help stop the minute you walk out of the room or can you seek advice and assistance from the trainer.
The reality is though you don’t need any training or qualifications so save your money and spend it on a fancy web site, it will bring you in tons of work unlike a certificate from some training course.
Ignore the last line; although true it is actually bad advice.
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Thanks Eli. I'm sensing a certain bitterness in your last bit. - bad experience?? ;D
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Al, contact my PA if you want and put yourself down for the next course. Tell her not to worry about invoicing for the moment. We can chat about what you can afford in due course.
Hugh, which course did you have in mind. The FRA course is delivered as part of the inspecting officer training at the SFSC. It is sometimes possible to take extra delegates. Email the office with your interest if you want.
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I dont think anyone is offering the ABBE level 4 course qualification yet but please correct me if I am wrong.
Eli do you know of any courses available or service providers that you would feel confident in mentioning here?
The IFSM recommend the CFPA advanced diploma. Dont know how that compaes to other qualifications.
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Costly though Kurnal.
CFPA Europe Diploma in Fire Prevention to be completed initially at 3,450 followed by CFPA Europe Advanced Diploma in Fire Prevention at 2,000 :o :o
The basic diploma enables you to obtain Technician grade membership of IFE. Just for reference the NEBOSH cert in fire and risk is a lvl 3 qualification which also counts towards tech grade at less than a 1/3rd of the cost.
For that money i would rather do a masters in fire engineering.
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I think I'm going to have to speak to my careers teacher agian at this rate!!
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I think I'm going to have to speak to my careers teacher agian at this rate!!
I'd also have a word with your english teacher too ! ;D
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Everyone's a critic!!
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oops, reading back i am muddying the water there ;D
Your career teacher can map out a career plan with a 5yr plan (for example).
What do you need bare minimum to be a fire risk assessor? I assume you would be going the consultancy route, check out the IFE register (yes there are others) recommended courses. Colin's is down as one. Once complete you would have met the training requirement on the back of which you would need to obtain suitable experience completing risk assessments on simple low risk environments for example.
This would enable you to apply a risk assessor register increasing your profile.
I would suggest lots of reading of relevant British Standards and Building regs etc. Lots of companies and orgs also offer CPD courses some free some not. Often the free ones are put on for a number of people where the trainer comes to you.
I would consider CFPA courses, degrees and masters etc as icing and something to work towards whilst working (of course if you have time and the money initially, go for it).
IMO, having a good presence on the internet is essential. As a minimum a website is a must. Doesn't have to be some crazy flash website. A basic html website with say 4 pages would be sufficient (and to be honest, depending on who does it, search engine optimisation works better on html). Depending on your knowledge/ability/time you can knock one up yourself. Be very careful of free hosting and companies who buy your domain name for you. With the first you have little control, all manner of ads will be on (which customers tend not to like) unreliable as there is no comittment to you and security and the latter can be problematic as you may find hosting companies not providing the service you would like then charge you excessively to get the name you thought you owned!
just some thoughts
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I think I'm going to have to speak to my careers teacher agian at this rate!!
I'd also have a word with your english teacher too ! ;D
Maybe you should have a word with yours? Shouldn't that be "English" teacher?
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That'll teach me to be a smarty pants :'(
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That'll teach me to be a smarty pants :'(
I sincerely doubt it will Retty.
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You're probably right Civvy! ::)
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Allen
Just get hold of a copy of the competence standard for fire risk assessors and do a self assessment. Thats what every other risk assessor up and down the country will be doing. I bet they know it all though!
If you have some background in fire and are not a real idiot you could make friends with a 'real' fire risk assessor and do some shadowing with them. live jobs real problems is a good way to learn. A mentor is always useful no matter what courses you have been on.
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My background is in fire detection/fixed extinguishing (and the relevant standards) Eli but the trade is going down the toilet and,to be frank,I'm bored rigid and see my ever nearing redundancy on Friday as an opportunity.
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Have you checked out "Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors" even though its a draft for public comment. http://bit.ly/jxoXcJ.
http://fire.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5426.0#new
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So,would doing an accerdited FRA course not be enough then??
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So,would doing an accerdited FRA course not be enough then??
I don't know, never been on one, but I suspect not. If you have a good background in fire safety then I would see the FRA course a good addition for understanding the principles of fire risk assessment.
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Allen if ever you are over this side of the Irish Sea I would be happy to put you through your paces for a couple of days working with me on risk assessments to see how you get on. No doubt would learn a fair bit from you as well along the way.
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Many thanks for all the advice and kind offers.
Allen
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What Kurnal says from me to......
It would be very handy for our firm to have someone that side of the water, let me know how you get on with training.
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What Kurnal says from me to......
It would be very handy for our firm to have someone that side of the water, let me know how you get on with training.
Will do - just have to contact CT to see when it's next on.
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Allen, Probably October would be next date for one in NI. I see a couple of nights at Benedicts, but can you remember if we were barred from Thomsons after the female fire-fighter started thumping a bloke?
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Allen, Probably October would be next date for one in NI. I see a couple of nights at Benedicts, but can you remember if we were barred from Thomsons after the female fire-fighter started thumping a bloke?
lol - no,I think it's all good Colin!Could you send me through contact details or will I give you a bell later??
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Allen 01252 792088. So Benedicts ann then Thompsons it is?
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Allen 01252 792088. So Benedicts ann then Thompsons it is?
Thanks Colin - yes but I shall wear dark glasses this time so that I can covertly ogle! 8)
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Reminds me of an old film.
Lock up your daughters granny
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I notice the shuttering going up already.
Fraid dark glasses cannot disguise embarrassing dance moves.
Swing your hips from side to side slowly and not in sync with your feet movement, bend forward slightly, roll up sleaves but not to far, make fists with elbows at right angles and put on stupid grin.
That should really get the female geriatrics going.
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NT
They are going to boogy, not practicing a parachute landing ;D
davo
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NT
They are going to boogy, not practicing a parachute landing ;D
davo
That could be the start for a new dance craze.
The Parachute. Certainly could have the potential to overtake the popularity of the Funky Chicken in the Forum's over 65s section.