Tell us about your company
JR Associates (Safety) Ltd was founded in 2006 by John Bates & Ron Field two ex-West Midlands Senior Fire Safety Officers. The company was founded after both retired from the fire service and it fell in the right time when the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force in 2006. Following the company forming we formed a partnership with a local fire alarm company where we had office space, and this allowed us to grow our portfolio. After entering the market, we used a methodology of taking on ex-fire safety officers on a zero-hour contract, to allow us to cope with the demand of work that was awarded to the company. Over the many years in business and the industry we have now built a portfolio with over 500 clients, with continuous growth year-on-year.
The company is now in an established position, where we continue to grow in the field and continue to look to appoint competent Fire Risk Assessors. As a company we provide a comprehensive service with in-depth Fire Risk Assessments and our unique selling point is that all Fire Risk Assessments come with building plans. These provide a more user-friendly approach for our clients to understand the issues detected.
What does a typical client look like?
We deal with many types of clients within the industry. It is common that we deal with clients within the residential sector, manufacturing sector, offices and shops, healthcare premises, and transport premises, alongside transmitting stations and airports.
We deal with many small local companies but also to large international companies with multiple properties across the UK. We provide our services across England and Wales, alongside Scotland, Northern Island, the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, and Jersey. Many of our clients come to us for a comprehensive package to ensure they are complaint with the appropriate legislation.
What challenges do you face as a business in the industry?
It is known the fire safety industry has taken a considerable review and this has led to multiple changes in legislation. As a company we face many clients asking why these changes are taking place and what measures they require for their premises to be compliant. Many of our clients find the required information out at a late stage, as the changes in legislation are mainly targeted through fire safety magazines and networks, with many clients not being a part of these organisations or networks. This means additional measures are raised within Risk Assessments that may not have been raised previously, leading to clients having to review their budgets to ensure they are inline with the correct legislation.
In terms of a business, one of the biggest struggles we find is recruitment. There are little-to-no college courses within the industry, with only a few universities offering degrees. It is fairly concerning that in years to come many of the retired ex-fire safety officers will retire, leaving a massive gap in an industry that is constantly growing and in demand. This means that many companies may struggle to cope with the demand. There needs to be a further push to try and introduce younger persons into the industry and instil how interesting and important the role is of a Fire Safety Advisor to encourage the next generation to learn the subject.
Why did you become an FPA member?
One of the main reasons we joined the FPA was to introduce us to a network of fellow fire safety companies and professionals. We find the website very user-friendly and one of the most used areas is the section where guidance is accessible very quickly.
In addition to this, being a part of such a great professional body provides our clients with peace of mind as it shows we have an interest in being part of the Fire Protection Association and maintaining our in-house services.
What problems does your business try and resolve?
As a fire safety company, we provide many services in relation to the industry, including Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Compartmentation Surveys, Means of Escape Planning, Fire Policies & Strategies, Fire Safety Training, and DSEAR Assessments.
There are many different situations we come across and must resolve on a day-to-day basis. Many clients come to us after an inspection by insurance or the local fire authorities where an improvement, enforcement, or prohibition notice has been issued. At this point we are tasked with providing a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment that provides the client with an action plan to rectify any unsafe standards within the premises. We then often find ourselves having to carry out Fire Compartmentation surveys to ensure a premises has adequate compartmentation.
We have many clients who request DSEAR Assessments due to the nature of their premises. These allow the client to introduce a method of reducing any risk to as low as reasonably practicable.
We find great pleasure in helping and supporting our clients knowing we are improving their premises to a standard as safe as possible, meaning occupants can work in a safe environment in regard to fire.
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