Who regulates the regulators?

[Peter Wilkinson]

The Fire Safety Order has created a new market for the provision of Registers of Fire Risk Assessors.  The IFE was quick off the mark by creating their register, soon followed by the IFSM.  But now I see that the RICS and BRE are getting in on the (seemingly lucrative) act.

How is the end user supposed to know if, for instance, a BRE Licenced Fire Risk Assessor has demonstrated a similar level of competence as an IFE Registered Fire Risk Assessor, or a RICS Accredited Fire Risk Assessor?

And, how do us practitioners know who to give our money to?

[Firewolf]

Well personally Id suggest that any of the above mentioned bandwagoners would do - clearly if major institutes and associations are going to put their name and reputation on a "pukka list" of fire risk assessors then I would guess that they will all have stringent monitoring and accreditation criteria in place to ensure only competent assessors get on the list.

But then again maybe they won't.

I don't think we are allowed to show support for one particular agency or organisation on these forums for fear of being seen as biased so I won't name the agency I'd put my money on - but surfice to say it would probably be that Institute that has fire engineers in it!!

I think its fair to say that that particular organisation has long been associated with fire safety and the fire safety industry for many many years and therefore will be the one organisation people will trust the most!

Then again if you are a fire safety consultant you will doubtless be very very wealthy and can afford to be added onto the list of all of the above!!

:-)

[John Webb]

The FPA also run a system of accreditation. Both FPA and BRE are also willing to do risk assessments with their own staff. But it is the 'sharks' we need to defend people & companies against, both for their own sake and ours. See also my posting "Bogus callers on 'Fire Safety Surveys'" in the Community section regarding the problem of unqualified persons.

Personally, having witnessed the umpteen different schemes resulting from the Part P of the Building Regulations regarding domestic electrics, I'd prefer to see one unified scheme. Perhaps as part of BAFE?

[black arts]

I'm sure Colin will join the bandwagon shortly   Ye har