The Fire Standards Board for England has released a new Fire Standard to help fire and rescue services address capacity and skills when it comes to inspecting fire safety in non-residential buildings.
The announcement at last week’s National Fire Chiefs Council conference in Warwick comes after an extensive consultation process earlier this year. This is the eighth Fire Standard to be published and it is an overarching standard for Fire Protection with further standards relating to more specific aspects of fire protection activities being developed in the future.
Like all Fire Standards, this one describes the outcomes that will be achieved when fire and rescue services reach the standard, these include:
- Improvements in the safety and wellbeing of its communities by reducing risks and incidents in the built environment.
- The creation of a competent protection workforce that targets activity in line with its community risk management plan, utilising data and business intelligence to optimise resources.
- The promotion of a learning and sharing culture, working collaboratively with others where appropriate, seeking to improve and innovate protection activities.
The Fire Standards Board commissioned the development of the Fire Protection Fire Standard through the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Protection Policy and Reform Unit (PPRU). A working group, with representation from services across the country, was set up to support the development of the Fire Standard.
Along with the subject matter expertise from within the working group, the Fire Standard has been informed by information including:
- Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report
- HMICFRS inspection findings from (2018 and 2019)
- NFCC analysis using its Strategic Improvement Model (SIM) of various reports which provide external commentary on fire and service performance
- The Fit for the Future strategic improvement objectives
- Input from members of the Protection Policy and Reform Unit, NFCC Protection and Business Safety Committee and its workstreams
Fire Standards Board Chair, Suzanne McCarthy, said:
“The Board recognises the importance of this standard and the contribution it will make to helping services in driving forward safer buildings and the improved wellbeing of communities.
This standard, like the others so far published and in the development pipeline, will drive service improvement and enhance professionalism, helping to identify what good practice looks like for the benefit of both fire and rescue service personnel and the communities they serve.”
Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh added:
“I’m delighted the Protection Fire Standard is being launched today. Fire Standards are key tools to help our services excel in the crucial work they do. Services should use the Protection Standard to help reduce risks in the built environment and keep our communities safe.”