Qualifications to assess...

[David Rooney]

Sorry I've done a search and can't find an answer.

I have asked the FPA and a couple of other "training" authorities and they are so vague they're almost transparent.

Can anyone tell me, what qualifications are required for some one to set themselves up in business as a risk assessment surveyor in order to carry out assessments under the Reform Regs ?

Many thanks...

Dave

[Chris Houston]

I'll hazard a guess: "None."

[John Webb]

The IFE have a 'Register of Fire Risk Assessors' - information on this and those registered can be found on the IFE website www.ife.org.uk This gives information on what the IFE see as relevant qualifications/experience.

[wee brian]

There are no qualifications required in law.

However if you want to get work you will need to convince potential clients that you know what you are doing (unless they are complete mugs).

Several Organisations are setting up competency schemes.  to help people evidence their competence but non of this is compulsory.

[Paul]

Its early days I think this will change. Perhaps soemthing under the BAFE scheme would be good?

[Big A]

I'll hazard a guess: "None."

Our assessment, too.

[David Rooney]

Yep, I looked on the IFE website and its good.

The "BAFE" extension is a good idea but I think that would be a long time off....

[Gary Howe]

Instead of first looking at qualifications, the important element to consider is Competency. In general terms competent fire risk assessors need:

1) a good understanding of the legislation under which the fire risk assessment is required.

2) a sound underpinning combination of education, training, knowledge and experience in the principles of fire safety

3) an understanding of fire development and the manner in which people behave when exposed to fire.

4) training and /or experience in carrying out fire risk assessments

5) an understanding of the fire hazards, fire risks and the occupants at special risk from fire that are likely to occur in the building, or part of the building for which the assessment is carried out.

Competency can then be further assisted and backed up by for example a NEBOSH Fire Risk Managment Certficate or IFE/FPA qualifications.

[David Rooney]

So does that mean that the average intelligent man on the street can go get all neeboshed up, do the IFE risk assessors course and get a whole multitude of other training, but unless he has "experience" in the job, he will not be "competent" ??

[Gary Howe]

David,

You can have all the qualifications in the world, but that does NOT mean you are competent, in your example you can obtain the necessary training and/or qualifications, but this is just the starting point, this has to be backed up by on site experience, with a reasonable level of audited FRA's (or shadowing by a an experienced assessor) before that person can be deemed competent.

And just to make it clear, I am not knocking qualifications, they are a useful tool as part of the proffessional development of the assessor, and the vast majority of competent assessors will have some form of higher level qualifcation e.g MIFireE, NEBOSH Diploma or Degree.

And finally, just remeber you can be a chinless wonder with all the qualifcations in the world, but  if you are not competent, then they are just pieces of paper.

[kurnal]

Did you hear the Chief of IOSH on Radio 4 yesterday discussing the problem we have now of so many Health and Safety jobsworths, often people with lots of paper qualifications and totally lacking common sense or a sense of proportion.

These people are bringing H&S into disrepute and making us practitioners a laughing stock. And IOSH is at last getting concerned about it. In my opinion it arises due to the wrong balance between theory and practice- a lack of experience at the sharp end of H&S management,

If it aint common sense it aint Health and Safety.

[Mike Buckley]

Don't forget the legal profession who love the complexities. I agree common sense comes must be a large part of it but when the legal eagles get their books out it flies out of the window.

At the end of the day it will be up to the client to decide who is competent and if this is challenged then the client needs to show he took reasonable steps to ensure competency.

Yes paper qualifications help but it rather like saying if you can pass the theory part of the driving test you don't need to pass the practical part.