IFSJ Exclusive: Fire Aware spells out the meaning of moral responsibility

Gavin Skelly, CEO of Fire Aware, outlines how moral responsibility and professional culture reform can strengthen compliance within the UK’s Building Safety framework

The fire safety industry is going through radical change in terms of legislation and the way it is regulated including the appointment of the new Building Safety Regulator.

Here, Gavin Skelly, CEO of the growing fire safety body Fire Aware, covers the issue of cultural change and how the moral responsibility for those with a duty of care is a vocation, not just a job or a compliance exercise.

Revisiting the lessons of Hackitt

By raising the standards of responsible behaviour in all of those working in the supply chain, and in doing so helping to support technical knowledge wherever possible, we and our partners and members can make a difference in delivering the cultural change in the construction industry demanded by Dame Judith Hackitt in 2018.

Moreover, the Hackitt Review found the existing building regulations and fire safety regimes were “not fit for purpose” and driven by a culture of cutting corners to complete projects quickly and cheaply, rather than focusing on quality and safety.

The review concluded that changes to the regulatory regime will help, but on their own will not be sufficient unless we can change the culture away from one of doing the minimum required for compliance to one of taking ownership and responsibility for delivering a safe system throughout the lifecycle of a building.

In the interim, legislation has followed mainly in the form of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its requirements from the supply chain.

We have asked for change and now we are seeing it in action, albeit demanding and challenging for many.

We at Fire Aware can help members with technical guidance and provide support through our expert educators.

Beyond that, we also offer a series of charters for the various groups of members and a code of conduct which helps guide us all through the requirements being rightly demanded of the industry.

Understanding vocation and moral duty

The thread of cultural change lies with those with a duty of care.

Let’s be clear: Fire safety is a vocation.

It is a way of thinking that comes with responsibility and a requirement to consider the safety of the people who inhabit our buildings and spaces.

This cultural way of working lies with all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.

We understand the need for competence.

But when dealing with an industry that the public relies on to keep them safe, there has to be more.

There has to be a commitment to safety.

As with a number of other sectors and professions, the fire sector has a wide array of duty holders, but they all share one common requirement – they are there primarily to keep the public safe.

We are appealing to the fire safety industry and those with responsibility for making decisions to think about their moral duty from the outset of any project.

We know from the feedback we receive from our members that the industry is keen to make this work.

We believe in going above and beyond legislation and minimum standards and test regimes.

Driving participation and setting standards

We’re already seeing a lot of interest in our organisation and what we stand for.

Membership is growing quickly and the organisations joining us want to adhere to all best practice.

We are seeking to shift the culture of the built environment sector both morally and technically.

We believe in setting standards.

Members of the Fire Aware community are taking a stand, and they have told us they care and want to commit to best practice.

For example, Julian Day, managing director of certified Fire Aware member 3B Fire Consultancy, part of the Plus Group of companies, expressed the view of many members when he said: “We want to do things the right way for the right reasons.

“We’ve been an advocate of Fire Aware since its inception and embrace its whole ethos.

“We provide a comprehensive range of consultancy services to help ensure the safety and compliance of buildings with fire safety regulations.

“Specialising in consultation services for fire protection and risk assessment within the sector, we sometimes simply spend time helping to guide clients or those who need help.

“Ultimately, we want to keep people safe and keep our clients on the right side of the law at the same time.

“We’re proud to be associated with Fire Aware and what they stand for.”

Testing accountability through performance

Importantly, the visible moral position of member companies can also be performance tested, ensuring the services they provide are in line with their moral undertakings.

Under performance can be monitored by the Fire Aware organisation and agreed action taken in the event of consistent disregard for the safety of those who inhabit the buildings we create and manage.

All members must abide and comply with the law and regulations that are relevant within their specialism in addition to the Fire Aware Code of Conduct.

Applying the Fire Aware charters

Supporting the code, Fire Aware’s series of charters apply to main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, specialist contractors and sub-contractors.

The Fire Aware Charter Conditions do not seek to override any legal obligations as specifically imposed by those of sector-specific professions.

The charters ask the member business to consider the safety of the end user, and to go above and beyond minimum standards to promote an enthusiasm within the member business to identify itself as a business that cares.

Extending principles beyond the fire sector

We also recognise those outside of the fire sector, who, while holding a duty of care are not directly a part of this industry but will share these common goals.

They may work in the hospitality sector, the facilities management or building management sectors.

Fire Aware is a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a common aim to work and trade responsibly to all best practice standards in the interests of the safety of the general public.

We are asking any organisation considering how to improve their moral and technical standards of operating in the built environment to talk to us.