NEBOSH has updated the syllabus of its popular National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management to match the competency criteria for fire risk assessors.
Encouraged by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG ), the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council published the competency criteria last year. It was developed primarily to support businesses and organisations seeking the services of a competent fire risk assessor.
The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council is made up of several bodies, such as the Association of Fire Consultants, Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Fire Industry Association, Fire Sector Federation, Institute of Fire Safety Managers and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). NEBOSH is also a participant in the Council.
The criteria is being adopted by professional bodies and third party certification bodies
who register or certificate fire risk assessors and by commercial companies providing fire risk assessment services.
Now NEBOSH has updated its National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management syllabus so that it matches the criteria. The qualification is highly respected and is often recommended or taught by Fire and Rescue Services throughout the country. As well as sitting two written examinations, candidates must also carry out a fire risk assessment in a real place of work, and make recommendations to improve fire safety.
NEBOSH Chief Executive Teresa Budworth commented: “We’ve made a few minor changes to ensure that all aspects of the criteria are taught as part of courses leading to our Certificate and employers can be assured that those holding the qualification can carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.”
She continued: “The Competency Criteria is an important development and we hope it will help many businesses to avoid the devastation caused by fire.”
The Council has also produced a ‘A Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor’ which can be downloaded from the Fire Sector Federation website along with the Competency Criteria. See www.firesectorfederation.co.uk
The NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management will be showcased at the Safety and Health Expo between the 14 and 16 May at NEC
Birmingham on Stand C40. Also see www.nebosh.org.uk/NFC
