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The bigger picture...

Third Party Certification

12/10/2019

 

​What is Third Party Certification?

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When choosing a Fire Risk Assessor, you must insist on seeing their Third Party Certification. Why? Third Party Certification offers independent verification and evidence that your Assessor is competent and working to the appropriate standards and best practice for the specific service you require.

The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety by Dame Judith Hackitt, following the tragedy of Grenfell Towers, has increased the focus on fire safety responsibilities, particularly around the responsibilities of the person appointed for fire safety within a building* and actions they can take to mitigate fire risk to the best of their ability following national fire safety legislation.




Third-party quality assurance can offer comfort both as a means of satisfying you that goods and services you have purchased are fit for purpose, and as a means of demonstrating that you have complied with the law.
– GOV.UK Fire Safety Guidance Documents 

How is Third Party Certification different to other types of endorsement?

First party referral 

This is simply a self-endorsement. This is when a provider tells you directly that they are good enough to fulfil your requirements with no evidence of their competency.

Second party referral 

This involves someone else, such as another customer, contractor register or trade association (without third party certification criteria for joining) stating that a provider can fulfil their requirements. However, there still may be little or no credible and independent evidence to prove their competency.

UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification 

This takes this to another level completely to ensure provider competence. This is when an independent Certification Body which is accredited by UKAS (the national accreditation body for the UK appointed by Government) sends trained assessors out to assess the provider. They confirm the provider is working to the latest appropriate standards and best practice for the specific service they deliver. They check and verify these required competencies and management systems to ensure that the provider can do what they say - and are checked annually.

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Third Party Certification

Technician Institute of Fire Engineers:  
Membership No. 00056956
Member of the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers:  
Membership No. M2172
Member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers:  
Membership No. 865
FRACS Certification Number:  
FRA 40
Nationally Accredited Fire Risk Assessors Register:  
Registration No. 157
Fire Protection Association Member 2018-19:  
Membership No. 00029982
UKAS Personnel Certification:
Registration No. 60


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Fire Risk Assessments: The Hackitt Review

13/6/2019

 
...the need for independently accredited fire risk assessors has never been greater.
Every non-domestic premises must have a 'responsible person' whose duty it is to identify fire risks and hazards in the building.

​If five or more people work at your premises, you'll need to keep a written record of your fire risk assessments.
Take a look at the diagram below.  The vast majority of fire risk assessments carried out in the UK are 'Type 1'.
This is a non-destructive survey that only requires assessment of common areas within a building; not including cladding, or inside walls.

Types of Fire Risk Assessment

Basic FSO Requirement 
Non Destructive
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TYPE 1
Destructive
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TYPE 2
Beyond FSO Requirement
Non Destructive
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TYPE 3
Destructive
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TYPE 4
More information about Fire Risk Assessment types can be found on my SERVICES page.

The Hackitt Review, commissioned in response to the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, does not recommend any changes to this practice. However, the review has highlighted the importance of ensuring FRAs are conducted by qualified fire risk assessors.

The current regulations states that Fire Risk Assessments are meant to be carried out by 'competent persons'. However, there is little guidance within the regulations to define this competency.

​According to the Fire Protection Association (FPA), this means there are hundreds of unregistered fire risk assessors operating across the UK.


It is clear that the need for independently accredited fire risk assessors has never been greater.

​The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC) has issued advice (which you can download here) that recommends landlords ensure their FRAs are conducted by assessors with independent registration with, or certification from, a professional body. 
​According to the Fire Protection Association (FPA)... there are hundreds of unregistered fire risk assessors operating across the UK.
FRACC lists four bodies which can approve individual assessors:
  1. Institution of Fire Engineers
  2. Institute of Fire Safety Managers
  3. Warrington Certification
  4. Institute of Fire Protection Officers
BBFS is THIRD PARTY ACCREDITED by ALL 4.
​
​To view my accreditation details, click here.
View my profile on LinkedIn

    Bryn Bashford

    Director of BBFS.
    ​Third party accredited, independent Fire Risk Assessor.

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