Public Comment Invited: British Standard BS 8674 Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors
BSI have released the draft of BS 8674, ‘Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors – Code of practice’, for public comment. The public comment period will close on 15th October 2024.
BS 8674 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.”
These recommendations build on the core competence criteria set out in BS 8670-1, with a particular focus on life safety fire risk assessment of the measures for fire precautions provided within a building.
Ken Bullock, Technical Schemes and Assurance Manager for BAFE emphasises the significance of the standard: “BAFE is committed to ensure that our BAFE SP205 [Fire Risk Assessment] Scheme supports the recommendations outlined by British Standards being introduced, so it is imperative that BS 8674 is thoroughly reviewed by those actively performing Fire Risk Assessment work.
“Whilst the BSI CPB/1 Committee [Competence in the Built Environment] have been clear this does not cover the competence of organisations, it will be heavily linked to the recommendations being presented in BS 8674 with any individuals employed by an organisation undertaking Fire Risk Assessment work. This will therefore introduce stronger requirements for UKAS Accredited Third-Party Certification, including BAFE SP205.”
NSI strongly encourages all NSI certified and BAFE registered organisations providing life safety fire risk assessment services to review BS 8674 and contribute their views by the 15th October deadline.
The draft British Standard is available for review and comment online via the BSI website.
Please note that online registration with the BSI Standards Development portal is required to access to the draft.