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 prevention 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.
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Duty 1 Carry out Fire Safety inspections/audits of premises in line with current fire safety legislation |
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Duty 2 Enforce Fire Safety legislation in accordance with organisational policy, to include collecting/providing evidence, where appropriate |
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Duty 3 Gather, process and share information with other FRS personnel and external partners relevant to their safety or where it may assist in the performance of their duties. |
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Duty 4 Identify premises, individuals and groups which represent levels of high risk and use that information to inform their organisational risk targeted activities |
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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 |
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Duty 6 Support formal fire safety investigations as required by the organisation and take appropriate action |
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Duty 7 Contribute to the policy and procedures that relate to legislative guidance on matters concerning Fire Safety |
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Duty 8 Provide technical advice and support on fire safety regulations and guidance documents to internal and external stakeholders |
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Duty 9 Support better regulation by having regard for Primary Authority and interacting with Primary Authority Partnerships. |
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Duty 10 Provide support and guidance to businesses to reduce fire and unwanted fire signals (e.g. from automatic fire alarms) |
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Duty 11 Collaborate effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement activities. |
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Duty 12 Attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders for example Safety Advisory Groups to provide guidance and support with fire safety matters to ensure the safety of the public. |
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Duty 13 Respond to alleged fire risks/complaints and post fire enquiries |
K1: The principles of the Fire Safety Order and fire safety legislation including, building regulations legislation and relevant codes of practice including national guidance and best practice.
Back to Duty
K2: How the Fire Safety Order interacts with other legislation, guidance and best practice.
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K3: The role of the Primary Authority.
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K4: Levels of compliance and how the Enforcement Management Model and better regulation interacts with levels of compliance.
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K5: How to carry out fire safety audits on complex premises.
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K6: Different types of premises or environments, the associated risks and management levels.
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K7: Fire safety principles for high risk and complex premises or venues, in accordance with recognised guidance, legislation and regulations.
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K8: Fire Risk Assessment processes.
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K9: Safeguarding issues and concerns and the actions to take.
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K10: The different groups and individuals they may interact with as part of their role.
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K11: How to initiate and undertake enforcement activities.
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K12: How to work with other agencies to enforce fire safety legislation.
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K13: The different types of formal response and the timescales.
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K14: The importance for operational staff to have valid, reliable and up to date information on premises, where the information is stored and how it can be accessed and used.
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K15: Their role in supporting formal investigations and the actions they can take in line with organisational policy.
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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.
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K17: The causes and consequences of fires and unwanted fire signals.
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K18: The purpose and role of collaborative partners, sharing of information and the advantages of collaborative working.
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S1: Carry out an inspection/audit of complex premises and venues and assess the risks and evaluate the level of fire safety management.
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S2: Identify and constructively challenge non-compliance with the fire safety order and other relevant legislation.
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S3: Produce fire safety reports, formal and informal correspondence, statutory notices and plans according to organisational policies and procedures.
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S4: Identify safeguarding issues, such as hoarding, child sexual exploitation, slavery, vulnerability etc. and take appropriate action in accordance with organisational policies.
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S5: Evaluate risk levels for yourself, others and the environment and take appropriate action to ensure health and safety is maintained.
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S6: Apply British Standards, guidance and best practice to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation in the build environment.
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S7: Work with other agencies, such as local and national regulators.
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S8: Demonstrate clear communication skills verbally and in writing, with the ability to interact with a wide range of audiences, being persuasive and confident.
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S9: Evaluate fire safety design submissions and fire protection systems.
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S10: Assess fire safety concerns, deliver fire safety advice as required and make decisions to instigate improvements.
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S11: Respond to enquiries and requests from other organisations, in accordance with the Primary Authority.
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B1: Embraces and values equality, diversity and inclusion, treating everyone with dignity and respect.
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B2: Demonstrates leadership through commitment and ability to develop self and others to improve organisational effectiveness and support a learning culture.
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B3: Acts with confidence and integrity, applying sound judgement with accuracy and rigour to create safe, effective and practical outcomes.
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B4: Work within own level of authority, responsibility and competence and recognise when to seek support and/or assistance.
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B5: Committed to supporting a strong safety culture and collaborating with others where necessary.
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B6: Contributes to achievements of self, others and organisation, by the establishment, maintenance and management of standards of performance.
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B7: Takes personal responsibility to identify and challenge unsafe or inappropriate behaviours and processes.
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B8: Demonstrates their contribution to - respecting life, the law, the environment and putting communities first.
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English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard partially aligns with the following professional recognition:
Institution of Fire Engineers for Associate / Member
Subject to additional experience
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