I have had a query regarding competency for carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment. The registration body has told a small two dentist practice that that the level of competency for the Assessor should be as per NI HTM 86 Pt2
It says that the guide is for use by competence persons but that risk assessments should be carried out by qualified
and experienced persons.
That to me means that the average ex fire safety bod is not able to do fire risk assessments and any that have been done are not valid.
It goes on the say that
Qualification/experience means that a science, engineering or construction based education and experience of fire safety is
essential and that a science, engineering or construction degree with extensive experience of
healthcare fire safety is
desirable.
How many of us now are able to do fire risk assessments of dental practices in NI?
I have carried out FRAs for sports grounds with an occupancy factor of many thousands, multi storey hotels, residential and nursing homes, large shops and office blocks, it goes on. all of which I have had audited by the F&R Service or Local Authority without question but I can't do a any dental practices.
Use by competent persons
2.4 NIHTM 86 should be used by competent persons employed as:
• Property/Estates/Building/Engineering officers, Facilities Management
and Health/Fire Safety staff in a healthcare facility;
• Architectural, Building and Engineering consultants;
http://• Building control officers;
• Fire safety consultants;
• Officers of the Fire and Rescue Service.
It is essential that fire risk assessments are carried out by suitably qualified and
experienced personnel. In assessing the competency of the fire risk assessor,
professional qualifications and experience on projects of similar complexity
should be taken into account.
It should be noted that the level of skills and experience necessary for
competent fire risk assessors may vary according to the complexity of the
building, the materials and processes used and the type of occupants in it.
Table 1 provides guidance on the level of qualification and experience that may
be considered necessary to establish an appropriate degree of competency.
