The government has reiterated that it has no plans to introduce a mandatory standard for training and accreditation of fire risk assessors, nor of amending the fire safety provisions of the Building Regulations.
The comments from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) are among the formal responses published this month by the London Assembly to its December 2010 report into fire risks in tall and timber framed buildings.
While stopping short of any mandatory measures, DCLG says it welcomes the fire sector’s lead in developing criteria against which fire risk assessors can be assessed:
“We will continue to support the work of the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council, and expect the outcome of its work to be one or more registers of competent risk assessors whose certification process has been independently quality assured. This will offer those with responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 greater confidence in identifying those with an appropriate level of competency to help them comply with the legislation.”
DCLG’s response is one of around 15 formal responses to the London Assembly report. The report made a number of recommendations including minimum standards for fire risk assessors, improved fire safety during the construction of timber frame buildings, and a requirement for all social housing landlords to publish a register of fire risk assessments.
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