A small sample of IFSEC Global.com’s visitors suggests that the community backs the idea of a fire safe register, with the majority of people saying that it is long overdue.
Our poll was hosted in response to a workshop, sponsored by BM TRADA, at the recent Fire Sector Summit where the question was posed, “Is it time for a National Fire Safe Register?” The consensus in that discussion was overwhelmingly in favour, as were the comments on our article.
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Poll results revealed that 76.19 percent were in favour of a National Fire Safe Register, while 21.05 percent were against the idea. Admittedly, this was a small sample size of just 21 people. However it suggests that in general the backing for the idea is there.
Parliamentary Seminar Poll
This poll is a precursor for a much larger piece of information gathering that BM TRADA is undertaking, and the organization is seeking views from the industry on whether such a register should be created, and why. The comments from this more detailed survey will be revealed and discussed at the ASFP’s Parliamentary Seminar into building fire safety on December 4.
Our discussion suggested that the most likely format for a National Fire Safe Register would be as an umbrella scheme representing third-party certification schemes that are already established. BM TRADA is keen to hear your views.
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The situation is getting crazy with so many TP accreditors looking to get the control of the registers in order to make money for their companies or organisations. The housing sector have now become involved and made up their own qualification – there are so many now its a ridiculous situation. In my opinion the registers aren’t there for protecting the relevant persons but to make money for the accrediting bodies and protect the responsible persons – there aren’t many RPs that are aware of them for a start! Will the competence requirement be as low as it is for… Read more »
That is definitely one side of the issue. If the industry sees it as a way to line their pockets then is the emphasis really on protecting the public? If you look at a plan and you have to ask yourself that question then chances are the plan needs to be re-written. We had a similar issue locally but it was septic tank regulation changes. Every home owner with a tank would be required to have it inspected annually and that means pumping it before hand. So an expense that you might have had every 3-5 years depending on use was now going to be annual.… Read more »
What are the barriers to fire safe buildings in the UK? Make a list of all the issues that are preventing buildings from being fire safe, and pretty soon you will get to; poor workmanship from fire protection contractors, poor or incorrect products used, a poor understanding of fire safety management, poor understanding by communication installers and weak regulation and enforcement. What is the answer to addressing the above? It depends, and isn’t always third party certification. Sometimes it is training, some times its better enforcement, and sometimes its better legislation. However third party should be included as a… Read more »
I think under what you’re saying is that the system should be rationalised. I see a firesafe scheme as the perfect rationalisation. Ideally it would be underpinned by regulation, but that’s simply never going to happen
Thanks Simon, and you know I agree in general. Keen to see that all this talk on the site and at next month’s parliamentary seminar translates into action!
Simon covers all the points, so all I will say is that the Institute of Fire Safety Managers runs an accredited risk assessors register, NAFRAR, and it costs 48 pounds to go on it provided you are a member of the Institute and you have been through a third party process to prove competency. If that is seen as lining the industry’s pockets then we are all doomed! It is a very small price to pay for competency of people who are dealing with life safety issues. I saw enough tragedy in my fire service career to convince me that… Read more »
I think that this competency trainign is important to ensure that standards in the fire industry are kept high — and I think they are fairly high. But the industry will suffer if continued standards of competency are not ensured.
I’m sorry but I think these poll’s are meaningless. How can we take anything from such a small sample. If I stand outside the Houses of Parliament and ask people coming out do you think politicians are a good idea, guess what answer I will get. You need to stick a questionare in one of the fire journals and get responses from a thousand then perhaps we will have some realistic stats to look at.
John the poll is just a reflection of industry thinking at the moment. At the fire sector summit the workshop on ‘Is it time for a fire safe register’ was very well attended. Some very senior representatives of the active and passive trade associations also seemed to agree with the idea and I don’t recall one voice in the room disagreeing with the idea. Tell a lie the UL representative didn’t think it was needed. Some others where vocal on the details but in general it was seen as a positive concept with real potential to improve industry standards.