Gregg Masters, Managing Director at 4site Consulting, talks us though how to ensure you’re working with a competent company.

As a Managing Agent, Landlord, RMC, or RTM, you will need to have regular Fire Risk Assessments carried out on the properties you manage or own in order to comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

The Fire Safety Order states that the responsible person for the building must appoint “one or more competent persons to assist them in undertaking the measure they need to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions of [the Fire Safety Order]”.

But how can you tell if a person or organisation you are using is competent?

A competent person is described in the Fire Safety Order as somebody who “has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable them to properly assist in the undertaking of preventative and protective measures.” This description is quite broad and can be open to interpretation, however, one of the ways in which a person can prove they have sufficient knowledge and training to be competent is through relevant qualifications.

Furthermore, one of the easiest ways to check an organisation is competent is by checking if they have Third-party Accreditations. This is one of the best ways to assure quality when looking for a consultancy/provider to assist with your fire safety needs.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is the professional voice of the fire and rescue service and along with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) strongly endorse third party accreditations schemes such as the BAFE – SP205 scheme for fire risk assessors. The NFCC have published Fire Safety Risk Assessment Guidance on their website, including 7 simple steps and precautions that can be taken to help verify the competence and suitability of a prospective provider:

1. Be satisfied that the fire risk assessor who carries out the work is competent. This can be demonstrated by them providing evidence of compliance with the competency criteria set down by the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council.
2. Check that they have experience of working for your kind of business and premises.
3. Be clear about the scope of the work to be carried out and ensure that the assessor is provided with access to all areas of the premises and with relevant information.
4. Obtain alternative quotes – make sure they all cover the same scope, so you can draw a proper comparison.
5. It is advisable to request references from previous clients in similar premises types; ask them if they were satisfied and if any problems were later identified by the Fire and Rescue Authority.
6. It is advisable to ask for proof that they have sufficient professional indemnity insurance and to seek assurance that the contractor is impartial and has a complaints procedure.
7. Keep and maintain records of the steps you took in selecting your fire risk assessor.

BAFE SP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment third party certification is listed in the Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors which is available along with the NFCC guidance on their website.

What is BAFE and Third-party Accreditation?

BAFE is the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, who are certified to ensure quality and competence in fire safety.  

Certification to a BAFE scheme is achieved by receiving a thorough evaluation every year by a UKAS accredited certification body who essentially inspects the company procedures and assesses onsite work to satisfy themselves that an appropriate standard has been achieved.

What does a Third-Party Accreditation actually mean for somebody seeking a provider?

Using an organisation that has a Third-party Accreditation such as BAFE will ensure that the provider is legally competent and can deliver the service you need to the required standard. 

It is important to note that the BAFE Accreditation is earned not bought, so the organisation that has gained it will have demonstrated their competence to a qualified BAFE assessor and have evidenced that they are working to the appropriate standards.

Along with many organisations that recognise the importance of delivering competent advice to clients, 4site are proud to have achieve the BAFE SP205 Standard for Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment.