New recruitment drive aims to support competency frameworks

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has announced the launch of a new recruitment drive to increase its volunteer cohort.

This initiative comes ahead of the competency requirement in Section 156(4) of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 and the new British Standard for Fire Risk Assessor competence.

As reported by the Institution of Fire Engineers, the fire risk assessor field is moving towards a system of Conformity Assessment and certification schemes.

The IFE seeks to shape industry standards and practices during this challenging period.

Recruiting volunteers with diverse backgrounds and skills is essential to the IFE’s mission to advance global fire safety standards and ensure visibility of competency levels across the sector.

The role of volunteers in advancing fire safety standards

Voluntary roles are crucial to the IFE’s operations, including assessing competency levels for membership, drafting exam papers, and facilitating the path to Engineering Council registration.

IFE Special Interest Groups (SIGs) develop expertise in various fire safety areas, such as heritage buildings, transport, emerging trends, and electric vehicles.

With the awaited publication of the Grenfell inquiry report and upcoming legislative changes, the fire safety landscape underscores the need for specialised expertise in safety subjects.

The call for volunteers comes at a critical time for the fire safety sector, with the Fire Sector Federation’s Industry Benchmark Standard highlighting the importance of maintaining a suitable record of learning and development.

Steve Hamm, IFE CEO, said: “The IFE recognises the critical role that competency plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

“As we prepare for the implementation of new competency frameworks, we are calling on passionate individuals from all aspects of fire to join us in our mission to advance fire safety standards and practices.”

Importance of competency in fire risk assessment

The Fire Competency Framework document emphasises the importance of robust record-keeping, demonstrating a commitment to quality and ongoing professional development within the industry.

Dame Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety identified fragmentation and lack of cohesion in competence within fire safety roles, including fire risk assessors.

Volunteers supporting this initiative will play a crucial role in verifying competencies, providing Responsible Persons (RPs) confidence in the assessors they appoint.

Subsection 156(4) of the Building Safety Act 2022 amends the Fire Safety Order (FSO), placing a new legal duty on RPs not to appoint a person to assist them with fire risk assessments unless that person is competent.

IFE members interested in volunteering can find further information and submit applications on the IFE website.

How to get involved

Those interested in helping navigate the changes ahead and aiding the workforce in demonstrating and aligning competencies in fire risk assessment will find this a crucial time for the industry.

More details about volunteering opportunities can be found at www.ife.org.uk/volunteering.

IFSJ Comment

The Institution of Fire Engineers’ recruitment drive for volunteers comes at a significant juncture for the fire safety sector.

The introduction of new competency frameworks and the Building Safety Act’s amendments necessitate a robust system of Conformity Assessment and certification.

By recruiting volunteers with diverse backgrounds and skills, the IFE aims to advance global fire safety standards and ensure visibility of competency levels across the sector.

The roles offered by the IFE provide an opportunity for individuals to contribute to assessing competency levels, drafting exam papers, and supporting Engineering Council registration.

The call for volunteers is timely, given the anticipated changes in legislation and the emphasis on maintaining a comprehensive record of learning and development.

The involvement of volunteers in developing expertise in various fire safety areas is vital as the sector adapts to new challenges and demands.

The IFE’s collaboration with the Home Office highlights the importance of supporting the current workforce in showcasing competencies in fire risk assessment.

This recruitment drive is essential for the ongoing professional development and assurance of quality within the fire safety industry.