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/ organisation can prove they have sufficient knowledge and training to be competent is through relevant qualifications and Third-party Accreditations.
BAFE SP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Third Party Certification
BAFE is the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, who are certified to ensure quality and competence in fire safety. BAFE is the leading standard for Fire Risk Assessments and is recognised nationally by organisations seeking assurance as to the competency of their selected fire risk assessing organisation
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.
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.
4site are proud to achieve the BAFE SP205 Standard for Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment. This was achieved via an independent audit completed by SSAIB, who are a UKAS Accredited Awarding Body. We are regularly audited to ensure ongoing adherence to the standard.
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.
For further details about our Fire Risk Assessment service, please get in touch.
