Unqualified Fire Risk Assessors on the Rise, Says ASFP President

ASFP President Brian Robinson has warned of a rising number of unqualified fire risk assessors and a lack of awareness of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

Speaking at the ASFP’s annual President’s Lunch in the House of Commons, he also urged specialist contractor members to support the National Specialist Contractors Council’s (NSCC) Fair Payment campaign.

A NSCC survey showed that just 35% of NSCC specialist contractor members are paid within 45 days or fewer and that average retentions are £54,000, of which almost £24,000 is overdue and £7,000 written off.

The Fair Payment campaign is promoting the view that contractors should be paid within 30 days.

Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt also addressed ASFP members, saying:

“Thank you for all you do to keep the public safe and also to strengthen the UK economy […]  I am very conscious of the huge contribution that you make and the enormous potential that comes from what you do to protect the public and property in the future.”

The President’s Lunch, which attracted more than 160 ASFP members, serves as a forum for raising outstanding issues affecting the passive fire protection sector and for the ASFP to outline its priorities for the coming year.

ASFP President Brian Robinson questioned whether the Fire Safety Order is achieving its objectives, whether it’s being effectively enforced and whether its requirements can be better articulated.

He also highlighted the upcoming review of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, asking whether the current Building Regulations and the guidance in Document B are fit for purpose given the significant growth in the use of modern construction methods.

“As you know, the ASFP has long campaigned for improvements in competency across the fire sector and offers a wealth of advice in the form of guidance documents, seminars, training and videos,” said Robinson.

“All of these aim to raise awareness of the vital role of passive fire protection and promote the use of competent third party certificated installers – an attainment of every ASFP contracting member – and third party certificated products, as supplied by every ASFP manufacturing member.”

Urging ASFP members to make use of ASFP services and support, Mr Robinson highlighted the range of technical, marketing and contractor task groups and urged members and other guests to exploit the association’s new training modules now being launched with the support of the CITB and Fire Protection Association.

Comprising a core module and series of pathway modules, the courses are aimed at developing awareness in all aspects of passive fire protection.