Standards Development

Scope

This British Standard gives recommendations for competence criteria to be met by individuals undertaking general fire risk assessments, i.e. assessment of the probability and consequences of fire and the identification and evaluation of fire risk, in occupied buildings.

The recommendations in this British Standard are based on the recommendations and core competence criteria set out in BS 8670-1, with specific regard to life safety fire risk assessment of the measures for fire precautions provided within a building.

The competence criteria recommended in this British Standard are applicable to non-invasive fire risk assessments of existing fire safety measures that can be attained through visual examination.

The fire risk assessments within the scope of this British Standard take into account relevant records (which could include details of previous invasive/destructive processes) and the measures for fire prevention, fire protection and fire safety management.

This British Standard gives the criteria for three core levels of competence: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced, where Advanced is the highest level. The criteria reflect requirements to assess buildings constructed using conventional materials and systems and takes into account that in some buildings additional specialized guidance might be required.

This British Standard does not cover:

a)    the process for undertaking a fire risk assessment;

      NOTE 1 Recommendations for undertaking a fire risk assessment are given in PAS 79-1 and BS 9792 (in preparation).

b)    fire risk appraisal of external wall construction and cladding (FRAEW);

       NOTE 2 Recommendations for undertaking an FRAEW are given in PAS 9980.

c)     other invasive or destructive inspections to assess the structure and building materials;

d)    competence of organizations;

e)    responsibilities of dutyholders, e.g. liaising with enforcing authorities, mandatory reporting, developing emergency plans, engaging with residents or commissioning structural investigations;

f)       compliance and conformity audits or assessment of building design, construction or assessment of specialized fire safety engineering measures going beyond the criteria of the Advanced level;

g)    buildings and installations, such as offshore, chemical or nuclear installations, that require additional competence beyond the Advanced level to assess fire danger and risks from other emergencies and utilize specialized fire safety engineering measures;

h)    conformity of specific fire safety measures to relevant standards, or the performance by practical tests of fire safety measures;

i)       fire engineering;

j)       design of maintenance procedures, structures, fire strategies and installations; and

k)     product verification and testing.