Safer People, Safer Homes: Building Safety Management.

Safer People, Safer Homes: Building Safety Management.

Raising The Standards

As always, early autumn has seen many new publications come out. During October’s first week, we saw the much awaited suggestion on competencies, which came to light because of the response of the fire and construction sector’s reaction to the fire at Grenfell Tower

 

Moreover, we also saw how the international community expressed the lessons learnt in the form of a set of principles and the updated on Federation guidance on helping people find a fire-risk assessor which suits their needs. A growth in global population that leads to urbanization, advancement in novel technologies, use of more electrical devices and other challenges has increased the need for chief fire safety principles. Fire Marshal Training? Book Now 

 

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Cultural Changes
Setting the Bar is an important report by Dame Judith Hackett, which outlines the Competency Steering Group’s thinking. The group has been working for two years to address the shortcomings of the industry on how to maintain the building safety and make cultural change.

True, the report has many recommendations which makes it a long read. But, the Executive Summary does help by letting you skip through the many professions included in it. This report is thought of as a blueprint for improving competence for the people who are working on high-risk buildings. Fire safety risk assessments. It is a breakthrough for making improvements in the department of fire safety for every new building being developed.

The involvement of the Federation is high in many CSG working groups, with more involvement in groups working on developing increased competence for fire installers, fire risk assessors and engineers working on buildings that are high risk.

DSEAR – DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES REGULATIONS. GET INFORMED

The second report, IFSS-CP (International Fire Safety Standard – Common Principles) is from a union of organizations working for fire safety management in buildings. It is a global, high-level report, which summarizes a large set of practices that aim at developing a standard approach towards fire safety.

 

The third report included is simply a revision of the previous guidance. You will see updated advice on how to choose a fire risk assessor. Moreover, it has added the need of cladding to the list. This important update makes the Fire Safety Order 2005 clearer.

  

In reply to the several questions posed to the Federation, they highlighted the ongoing tensions on issues which result in limiting the fire risk assessors capacity to work. Also, the Federation deemed it necessary to ensure MHCLG suggestions for Building Safety and also the Home Office for Fire Safety.

 

FIRE STRATEGY – ARE YOU ACCOUNTABLE? SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

 

Fire Safety Guidance – Updated

C. S. Todd & Associates are calling out for issues and ideas to further improve the guide related to the Home Office, in particular the “Fire Safety in Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats” and “Short Guide to Making your Premises Safe From Fire”. We request high-level comment at this point.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry

The Executive Officer of the Federation was requested to come forth on 9 October 2020 to the GTI with a witness statement. This will recommence the Phase 2 hearing.

Product Assurance on Critical Fire Safety

After the success of the online forum meeting held in September, the UL spokesperson for FSF Chris Miles, had an exploratory meeting on the same day as the hearing. Eventually, a new group was made to look into the wider aspect of product marking and certification. This was an outcome of the government’s approach to Brexit and generally to move ahead. Any views on the UKCA clarification are valued before 1 January 2021 or on the products needing marking and testing. See the website of FSF.

MYFIRE SAFETY LTD – 0800 999 11 25

Competency of a Fire Risk Assessor
The group led by the Federation, which was made to look at the fire risk assessment has come up with an Approved Code of Practice. It is near publication and has been drafted already. Along with the ACOP, there will be a register of the fire risk assessors available on the FSF website. Hopefully, it will form the base for the first public national register. The work of the Home Office task and finish group, who were engaged with the FSF, is also ending. Further details and updates from the office can be found on their website.

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) click here.
If you would like to arrange a free fire risk consultation, contact us

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