SFJ Awards are bringing our experience of working with Fire & Rescue Services to fire risk assessment and have announced the development of three new qualifications to complement the British Standard BS8674: Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors – Code of Conduct, which is set to go live in April 2025.
About the new BSI standard BS8674
This new British Standard provides a framework for assessing the competence of individuals carrying out fire risk assessments in the UK.
BS8674 will set out criteria for three core levels of competence in fire risk assessment, which will be known as Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced, where advanced is the highest level. The criteria reflects requirements to assess buildings constructed using conventional materials and systems and take into account the fact that, in some buildings, additional specialist guidance may be required.
Why is a new British Standard being introduced?
This new British Standard BS8674 is being introduced to provide clearer guidance on fire risk assessments (FRAs) in the UK. It aims to improve consistency, quality, and accountability on how in how FRAs are conducted, particularly in response to concerns raised about the Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent fire safety reforms.
What are fire risk assessments?
Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK. Anyone who is responsible for a building, for example an employer, owner, or occupier of a premises that isn’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (a private home) needs to make sure a suitably competent person completes a FRA.
Carrying out FRAs involves the following:
- Identifying the fire hazards
- Identifying people at risk
- Evaluating, removing or reducing the risks
- Recording your findings, preparing an emergency plan and providing training where required
- Reviewing and updating the fire risk assessment regularly.
What are the benefits of the new British Standard BS8674?
The introduction of the new British Standard brings several key benefits to fire safety in the UK. By ensuring higher standards, consistency, and accountability in fire risk assessments, the introduction of BS8674:
- Ensures competent fire risk assessments
- Increases fire safety and reduces risks
- Standardises fire risk assessments across the UK
- Aligns with updated fire safety laws
- Provides clarity on assessor competence levels
- Supports better decision making for businesses and building owners.
SFJ Awards qualifications in development
We’re developing three new qualifications as part of our established Fire Safety suite . These ensure professionals have access to structured learning pathways that enhance their skills and industry credibility.
Aligned with BS8674, they will provide a clear, progressive qualification pathway across three levels of competence – Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced – ensuring that Fire Risk Assessors meet rigorous, industry recognised performance criteria.
Whether assessing fire risks in small commercial spaces, large public venues, or multi-occupied residential buildings, our qualifications will equip professionals with the knowledge required to operate with confidence and competence.
By leveraging our experience and expertise in fire safety and our strong partnerships with fire & rescue services, fire safety professionals and specialist training providers we’re setting a new benchmark for professional competency in fire safety.
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