What SFJ Awards changed in fire risk assessment
Iain Hoey
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New UK qualifications announced by SFJ Awards
SFJ Awards has launched two new UK fire risk assessment qualifications aligned to the BS 8674 standard, which was updated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in August last year.
SFJ Awards said the new routes are an Ofqual-regulated Level 4 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment and a Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment.
The organisation said the updated standard is intended to improve consistency, quality and accountability in how fire risk assessments are carried out.
What the standards update aims to change
SFJ Awards said the BS 8674 standard was updated following Grenfell Tower and subsequent fire safety reforms.
The organisation said the standard aims to improve consistency, quality and accountability in fire risk assessment work.
SFJ Awards said fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK.
The organisation said anyone responsible for a building, e.g., an employer, owner or occupier of premises that is not a single private dwelling, must ensure a suitably competent person completes a fire risk assessment.
How the qualifications were developed
SFJ Awards said it worked with fire and rescue services, the Ministry of Defence and other contributors to develop the new qualification routes.
The organisation said the qualification structure was designed to provide greater flexibility for learners.
SFJ Awards said the qualifications support the application of legislation and risk-based methods across a range of premises.
The organisation said the routes are intended to enable learners to produce clear findings and recommendations as part of the fire risk assessment process.
David Higham, Managing Director at SFJ Awards, commented: “Delivering improved standards in fire risk assessments relies upon having the learning architecture in place to support learners to acquire the requisite knowledge and apply it practically in the field.
“Bringing these new qualifications to market is a key step forward in supporting this aim and enabling alignment with BS 8674:2025.
“The introduction of the Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma offers two qualification routes to provide flexibility for learners and support greater coverage across the sector – as is needed – to drive up safety standards overall.”
Availability and progression routes in the UK
SFJ Awards said the Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment are now available for delivery at training centres across the UK.
The organisation said the routes support progression through supervised practice, workplace experience and ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).
Chris Wilson, Managing Director at The Fire Safety Academy, said: “BS 8674:2025 is an important step forward for assessing and mitigating fire risk in residential complexes, tall buildings, and business and mixed-use premises across the UK.
“The qualifications therefore provide a vital bridge between the new safety standards and learners and practitioners responsible for conducting fire risk assessments.”
SFJ Awards said Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment qualifications are also in development.
The organisation said these are intended to support progression to the advanced Fire Risk Assessor competencies set out in BS 8674:2025.