Assessing the level of fire safety in built environments
The occupation of Fire Safety Inspector can be found in the Fire and Rescue sector. The fire and rescue sector is formed of three elements, prevention, protection and response. The occupation of fire safety inspector is a specialist role within the protection element, linking closely with the other two elements of protection and response.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to assess the level of fire safety in the built environment in their area and instigate improvements, where necessary, to preserve life, to reduce damage to property and the environment and to support economic growth.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement work.
They will also provide support and technical expertise to colleagues and other departments, including mentoring and training, to ensure effective sharing of knowledge.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing advice, participating in consultations, the enforcement of legislation relating to fire safety and supporting investigations and prosecutions. Fire Safety Inspectors inspect complex premises and support businesses by giving advice on how to comply with regulations. Fire Safety Inspectors work at supervisory/managerial level within the fire sector, but they may not necessarily supervise or manage others.
Typical job titles
A fire safety inspector may also be called a fire safety auditor in some organisations.
Duty |
Criteria for measuring performance |
KSBs |
|
Duty 1 Carry out Fire Safety inspections/audits of premises in line with current fire safety legislation |
Audits are carried out in line with organisational and legislative requirements |
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10 S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 |
|
Duty 2 Enforce Fire Safety legislation in accordance with organisational policy, to include collecting/providing evidence, where appropriate |
In compliance with legislative requirements |
K1, K2, K4, K11, K12, K13 S6, S3, S7 B1, B2, B3, B4, B7, B8, B6 |
|
Duty 3 Gather Operational Risk Information to contribute to the safety of operational staff |
Information is gathered according to organisational requirements |
K1, K6, K7, K14, K8, K9, K10 S8, S6, S3, S4, S5 B1, B4, B7, B8 |
|
Duty 4 Identify high risk premises, groups and individuals within the community to assist with the implementation of targeted risk-based inspection programmes |
in line with organisational policy and procedures |
K1, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10 S9, S3, S4, S5 B1, B2, B3, B7, B6 |
|
Duty 5 Examine and respond to consultations and submissions from external stakeholders and provide advice in order to determine compliance with statutory codes of practice and other fire safety related legislation with applicable time constraints. Submissions and consultations could include: planning, building regulations, House(s) of Multiple Occupancy, licencing, marriage venues, etc |
Within required timescales following organisational policies and procedures |
K1, K2, K13, K6, K7, K8 S8, S6, S2, S9, S3, S7 B1, B4, B8, B6 |
|
Duty 6 Support formal investigations as required by the organisation and take appropriate action |
Investigations are carried out following organisational procedures and meet legislative requirements |
K1, K2, K13, K8, K9, K15, K16 S8, S3, S7 B4, B7 |
|
Duty 7 Contribute to the policy and procedures that relate to legislative guidance on matters concerning Fire Safety |
Contribute information that is accurate and up to date |
K1, K2, K12, K3, K8, K16 S8, S6, S7 B1, B2, B4, B8 |
|
Duty 8 Provide technical advice and support on fire safety regulations and guidance documents to internal and external stakeholders |
Advice and support is provided clearly and concisely and appropriate to the audience |
K1, K2, K6, K7, K8 S8, S6, S10, S3, S7 B1, B4, B7, B8, B6 |
|
Duty 9 Work in accordance with the Primary Authority Scheme |
Complies with legislation and organisational policies and procedures |
K2, K3, K4, K11, K13, K10 S6, S3, S7, S11 B4, B8, B6 |
|
Duty 10 Provide support and guidance to businesses to reduce unwanted fire signals (e.g. from automatic fire alarms) and deliberate fires |
Support and guidance is provided to meet the needs of the business in a timely manner, clearly and concisely |
K1, K3, K6, K7, K17, K8, K9, K10, K16, K18 S8, S6, S10, S3, S7, S4, S5 B1, B3, B7, B8, B6 |
|
Duty 11 Collaborate effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement activities. |
Share information in accordance with partnership agreements |
K12, K13, K6, K7, K9, K10, K18, K16 S8, S2, S7, S11, S4
|
|
Duty 12 Attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders such as Safety Advisory Groups to provide guidance and support with fire safety matters to ensure the safety of the public. |
Communicate clearly and appropriately to the audience and portray a positive image of your organisation |
K1, K6, K7, K9, K10, K18, K16 S8, S6, S10, S3, S7, S4 B1, B2, B3, B4, B8 |
|
Duty 13 Respond to alleged fire risks/complaints and post fire enquiries |
Respond in line with agreed timescales and according to organisational policies and procedures and any related legislation |
K1, K13, K6, K7, K8, K9, K10, K18, K16 S8, S10, S3, S4, S5 B1, B3, B4, B7, B8, B6 |
K1 The principles of Fire Safety Order and other fire safety legislation, building regulations legislation and British Safety Standards including national guidance and best practice.
K2 How the Fire Safety Order interacts with other legislation, guidance and best practice.
K3 The Primary Authority Scheme
K4 Levels of compliance and how they interact with the Enforcement Management Model and Better Regulation
K5 How to carry out fire safety inspections
K6 Different types of premises, the associated risks and management levels
K7 Fire safety principles for high risk and complex premises and venues, in accordance with recognised guidance
K8 Fire Risk Assessment process
K9 Safeguarding issues and concerns and the actions to take
K10 The different groups and individuals you may interact with as part of your role
K11 How to initiate enforcement activities
K12 How to work with other agencies to enforce fire safety legislation
K13 The different types of formal response and the timescales
K14 Why operational staff need to have valid, reliable and up to date information on premises, where it is stored and how it can be accessed and used
K15 Your role in supporting formal investigations, the actions you can take and when and where to escalate.
K16 The legislation, policies and procedures of the organisation and how these affect the role, including data protection, confidentiality, health and safety and lone working plus other relevant organisational policies and procedures.
K17 Causes and consequences of unwanted fire signals and deliberate fires
K18 The purpose and role of collaborative partners who can do what, etc. sharing of information and the advances of collaborative working
S1 Carry out an audit/inspection of complex premises and venues and assess the risks and evaluate the level of fire safety management
S2 To identify and constructively challenge non-compliance
S3 Produce fire safety reports, letters, statutory or non-statutory notices and plans according to organisational policies and procedures
S4 Identify safeguarding issues, such as hoarding, child sexual exploitation, slavery, vulnerability etc. and take appropriate action
S5 Be situationally aware of yourself, others and the environment to ensure safety of all.
S6 Interpret and apply the technical knowledge to enforce the Fire Safety Order, such as British Standards, Building Regulations, National Guidance and Best Practice
S7 Work with other agencies, such as local authority building control, approved inspectors, licensing authorities, etc
S8 Demonstrate clear communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of audiences, being persuasive and confident. To communicate complicated information verbally and in writing
S9 Evaluate fire safety design submissions and fire protection systems
S10 To assess fire safety concerns, provide fire safety advice on request and make decisions to instigate improvements as required
S11 Respond to enquiries and requests from other organisations, in accordance with the Primary Authority Scheme.
B1 Embraces and values diversity and demonstrates a fair and ethical approach in all situations.
B2 Proactively supports change, adjusting approach to meet changing requirements.
B3 Maintains a confident, controlled and focused attitude in highly challenging situations.
B4 Committed and able to develop self, individuals, teams and others, to improve organisational effectiveness.
B5 Understands and applies relevant information to make appropriate decisions and creates practical solutions.
B6 Work within own level of authority, responsibility and competence and recognise when to seek support and/or assistance
B7 Applies relevant information to make appropriate decisions and creates practical solutions
B8 Leads others to achieve excellence by the establishment, maintenance and management of performance requirements
English and Maths qualifications
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
Institution for Fire Engineers / Membership
Occupational Level: 4
Duration (months): 24
This standard will be reviewed after three years.
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| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date | Latest end date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 20/11/2019 | Not set | Not set |