IFE Register of Fire Risk Assessors and Auditors

[finsp]

I am looking into the registration on the IFE register, In particular for auditors, i.e. Fire Safety Inspectors carrying out enforcement and compliance audits.

I would appreciate any advice of the best way to go about compiling the evidence required, and any other advice thanks

[Dinnertime Dave]

My brigade sent all its fire safety officers on the Northern Ireland Fire Safety Panel FRA course approx 10 months ago with the intention of them obtaining the auditor qualification, we passed the course then the brigade decided to not allow us to gain the auditors qualification. This either through lack of funds or lack of interest.

I would be more interested in the assessor’s qualification personally. But I will ask the question as to why we haven`t progessed it further.

[finsp]

Thanks, I cannot justify my guys getting registered as risk assessors as they just dont do them, I will endeavour to post any progress I make.

Thanks again

[patrickhamblin]

The IFE Website (www.ife.org.uk) has a huge amount of information on registration as a Fire Risk Assessor or Auditor.

[jokar]

Hi Patrick, we met in January in London and have spoken occasionally since.  London has an IFE accredited FRA course and is currently training internal and external candidates.  The Brigade will only allow internal candidates to access the Auditors register and work is being done to progress those who have passed the course onto the register.

However, one of the Inspecting Officers accessed the register on his own and therefore it is possible to do the work without  any Brigade assistance.  I am a firm believer in 3rd party accreditation and this is a perfect way to achieve that with a named organisation.

[finsp]

Jokar,

Totally  agree,

I am aiming to have all our enforcement teams accredited as this will improve the credibility in court if needed also tere is a distinct lacking in base knowledge of newly promoted inspecting officers, this is in part due to changes in the probation/phase 2 development and particularly the demise of the fire service exam board promotion exams, albeit some have taken it upon themselves to sit IFE exams however they are having to finance this themselves and it is becoming more obvious that we need people to commit to a fire safety work stream, rather than as a stepping stone for promotion, we need a structured career path within fire safety for progression within the field.

I am also investigating the eng tech route as an option as well as encouragement to register on the fire service college provided Foundation and Honours degree programme, however this takes commitment from the individual as well as support from the employing service.

Hopefully this will be something that will take off!!

[Marek]

Also consider looking at the IFSM register

[finsp]

Thanks Marek, Will do.

[Dinnertime Dave]

Further to my original post, my brigade is getting one inspecting officer to go through the process. If it is then considered worthwhile and of use then others may be put forward. But it still has to be decided if the service will pay. The "special one" started the process over 12 months ago (under the Workplace Regs) and still hasn’t been registered.

Does anyone know if this is normal?

Some inspecting officers in my brigade have been told that they need to get registered at their own expense to qualify for CPD payments.

[shaunmckeever]

There is no commercial benefit to this for an organisation only for individuals. I looked at doing this for the company I work for but the company would not fund it because their is no advantage to them. For example if your company carries out fire risk assessments nationwide you cannot search the register for a nationwide service. I managed to persuade one person to go through the process, to pave the way as it were, but it was long winded and in total took about a year. The process may have speeded up now.

[William 29]

I progressed the issue of the fire safety officers under my control and myself becoming auditors before resigning from the fire and rescue service over a year ago.  The subject was dealt with at ACO fire safety level, with the response being that the IFE registration would not necessarily be a benchmark to ensure that FSO’s were competent auditors.

It was decided that it would be more appropriate to use the experience and internal/external fire safety courses or qualifications that had been completed.  My point was when an FRA is questioned on the grounds of being suitable and sufficient  by an FSO questions may be asked as to what qualifies the FSO to form that opinion.  The fire service argument would be that experience and quals would be enough to justify his/her opinion.

To my knowledge the suitable and sufficient argument has not be determined in a court and as such would not place too great an importance on becoming an IFE auditor.  I would however see the benefits of the IFE risk assessor qualification but it is unlikely that you would gain this as a serving fire officer unless things have changed.  Hope that was of use.

[finsp]

Thanks William 29, I have been doing alot of digging and have come to the conclusion that it would be more cost effective and beneficial to support the officers going through the FS College courses with the Foundation and Honours Degree programmes from the University of Central Lancs, as this will lead to a robust educational and vocational qualification in fire safety that can also be used aas a foundation for further studies in Fire Service Management as well as other role specific qualifications.