Grenfell fire risk assessor had “misleading” qualifications and “copied” other building reports into assessments

It has emerged that the fire risk assessor hired to check the safety of Grenfell Tower between 2009 and 2016 had “misleading” qualifications in his title and “cut and pasted assessments” from reports on other buildings he checked into Grenfell assessments. 

Carl Stokes, a former firefighter turned fire risk assessor claimed he was ‘fire eng (FPA)’, despite no such qualification existing, as well as an ‘IFE assessor/auditor’, even though he was not a member of the Institute of Fire Engineers. Also included were ‘NEBOSH’, ‘FIA BS5839 system designer’ and ‘competent engineer BS 5266’ – but agreed when responding to the Inquiry that such post-nominals aren’t recognised by any professional body, but were simply courses he had attended.

Colin Todd, a Fire Engineer and Expert Witness – who spoke last year during FIREX Digital Week – commented that Mr Stokes use of such letters after his name would “significantly mislead clients and potential clients as to his qualifications, regardless of his level of competence”. Stokes replied he did not understand the use of post-nominals.

As part of the fire risk assessment his job involved checking vital fire safety measures in communal areas, such as door closures, firefighting equipment and evacuation routes, though was not tasked with checking the external cladding system or inside individual flats. Several of these areas were, however, found to be not working or ineffective at the time of the fire.

The Inquiry also heard that Mr Stokes “cut-and-pasted assessments about the fire safety of the tower from reports on other buildings he had carried out”, such as reporting the Tower had balconies and pigeon netting, which was incorrect, while his claimed “three years of experience” turned out to be 15 months.
​
Mr Stokes is no longer working as a fire risk assessor.

BBFS Third Party Certifications

"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 


Unlike Mr Stokes, here is why you CAN trust BBFS...

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
​