Bridging competence: strengthening fire risk assessment capability

The fire safety sector continues to evolve at pace, particularly in how competence is defined, measured and evidenced, and there is now an increasing expectation for practitioners to demonstrate competence against British Standards.

The recent changes to fire safety legislation represent the most significant overhaul of regulations in the sector since World War II, affecting a wide range of professionals – from fire engineers and risk assessors to construction managers and property managers. These new regulations will impact all aspects of fire safety work, including fire risk assessment competency requirements.

The catalyst for these changes was the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which exposed critical failings in fire safety practices and prompted a robust regulatory response, with a flurry of regulatory activity, as well as numerous major consultations.

New legislation and new standards
A key legislative development was the Building Safety Act 2022, which introduced the Building Safety Regulator, new gateway processes for high-rise and high-risk buildings, and, crucially, new duty holder requirements. These require building owners and contractors to appoint competent persons for fire risk assessments and to provide adequate resources for them to perform their duties. The responsibility for ensuring competency is now embedded in contracts and cascades down the supply chain, fundamentally changing how services are procured and delivered. 

With the implementation of new legislation, the definition of competency is becoming much more granular and role-specific, which represents a fundamentally different approach to how competency is being assessed. Professionals must now demonstrate up-to-date knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the specific type of building and assessment they are performing.

To this end, two new British Standards were introduced in August 2025 to support this shift – namely BS 9792:2025 - Fire risk assessment. Housing. Code of practice, and BS 8674:2025 – Built environment. Framework for competence of individual fire risk assessors. Code of practice, which sets out the competency framework for individuals conducting fire risk assessments. 

These are the key documents for reference both for those wishing to be qualified and certified as a fire risk assessor, as well as for those selecting and appointing a fire risk assessor for their building.

The government has already confirmed its intent to legislate for mandatory competency and certification, with a public consultation on the precise details having taken place earlier this year. Full mandatory certification requirements could potentially come into force by 2028–2029. As the new standards referenced above already carry weight in law and are being used as benchmarks in court and by regulators, professionals should not simply wait for this legal deadline before ensuring their compliance. 

As the government regulates the fire risk assessment profession, mandating third-party certification and ongoing competency validation, including periodic requalification and revalidation, those working in this space must be aware of the potential legal penalties for those commissioning and producing fire risk assessments that do not meet those requirements. 

Therefore, fire risk assessors and those commissioning assessments must therefore begin aligning with the new standards and pursuing relevant qualifications and certifications now.

Driving competence
Historically, routes into fire risk assessment have varied, with limited consistency in how competence was defined and verified. The arrival of BS 8674:2025 and the move towards third-party certification is changing that, establishing clearer expectations around demonstrable competence.

By setting out a framework for fire risk assessor competence, BS 8674:2025 is shaping the expectation for fire risk assessors. This new standard has become a reference point for the sector and governmental direction, with the government confirming that mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors will be introduced. 

There will, therefore, be a large number of people who have performed fire risk assessments in the past who already have existing training and knowledge in this task – however their competence will need to be verified through UKAS-accredited certification bodies. This could include those who have already achieved the NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety, whether they are working in dedicated fire safety roles, supporting organisational compliance as Responsible Persons, or operating in broader health and safety positions.

The NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety equips these individuals with the knowledge to undertake fire risk assessments, particularly in low-to-medium risk environments, but the emerging landscape increasingly calls for formal demonstration of competence against BS 8674:2025.

Against this backdrop, the Fire Protection Association has launched a new bridging course – ‘NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate to FireQual Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Fire Risk Assessment’. This provides a progression route that validates existing knowledge and understanding while aligning it with current expectations. It is equally relevant for those looking to move more fully into fire risk assessment roles. By gaining a FireQual-accredited qualification, learners can evidence their competence in a way that is recognised by duty holders, clients and certification schemes.

This is an example of the drive within the sector to help fire risk assessors demonstrate their competency to the newly mandated levels and will allow individuals who have been awarded and can evidence their NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety to align with the criteria set out in BS 8674:2025. By doing so, it will signal to those commissioning fire risk assessors that this individual can evidence their competence. 

Rather than duplicating existing knowledge, the course focuses on addressing the expectations from BS 8674:2025, enabling learners to convert prior learning into a formally recognised FireQual Level 3 qualification. By creating this course, the FPA recognises that while NEBOSH provides a strong grounding in fire safety principles, there is a growing need for competence pathways for fire risk assessors.

Structure and content
The course format reflects the needs of experienced learners. The course is an assessment-only programme, completed over four weeks. The content focuses on the principles and scope of fire risk assessment in buildings presenting low to moderate risk, alongside the practical application of knowledge relating to building design, construction, and maintenance. 

Learners are required to:

• Submit a fire risk assessment report for low-to-moderate premises, aligned with the foundation competency level of BS 8674:2025, completed within the last six months – the report should demonstrate recognised methodologies, clear communication of findings, and appropriate recommendations for duty holders
• Analyse a fictional fire risk assessment case study (provided) and respond to a series of questions relating to the strengths and weaknesses of the report, the requirements of fire safety signage, and the role of fire safety engineered solutions in design compliance.

A key strength of the course is its emphasis on applied knowledge. Learners are expected not only to understand core concepts but to demonstrate their ability to apply them in a structured and professional manner.

Why it matters
The introduction of this bridging course reflects a wider shift in the fire safety profession. It provides a practical route for individuals to align their existing knowledge with recognised competency standards, without duplicating prior learning.

For employers and duty holders, this alignment offers greater assurance of competence, supports compliance with evolving standards, and promotes a more consistent and professional approach to fire risk assessment.

Full course details, including dates, fees and application information, are available via the FPA website.

Jess Mullis is curriculum manager at the Fire Protection Association.