Association News

FPA endorses Building a Safer Future

FPA endorses Building a Safer Future

FPA has welcomed the interim report and recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and the proposed direction of travel.

Jonathan O’Neill OBE, Managing Director of the FPA said Dame Judith appears to have quickly identified all of the prime areas of concern that have troubled many parts of the sector for many years. She has set the professional bodies particular challenges which we wholeheartedly support however a significant gap in resourcing has built up over the past 25 years and having stripped out these skill sets from the industry it will take time, effort and investment to recreate the base of competence needed. O’Neill went on to explain that the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) competency framework provided is a very good starting point and FPA would work collaboratively with the sector to ensure the competence frameworks she had identified as lacking are available as soon as is practicably.

Hackitt’s recommendation to significantly restrict the use of desktop studies is particularly welcomed as were the comments and concerns regarding testing and approvals. The FPA has recently been working closely with insurers to examine the current test protocols for cladding and detection and the standards for residential sprinkler systems with its results due to be published in 2018.

O’Neill concluded by highlighting the FPA’s London based event on 5th February 2018 which will seek to address issues raised in the Hackitt review. Programme highlights include:

  • Building Regulations and guidance
  • Competence in Fire Risk Assessment
  • Cladding systems, structure and function
  • Evacuation policies and procedures
  • Passive fire protection
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Sprinkler systems
  • Q&A with our expert panel

To book the seminar click here: https://www.thefpa.co.uk/training/training-courses_detail.c27-managing-fire-risk-in-tall-buildings.html

Published February 2018