Fire
Sector Federation President Brian Robinson will be offering the keynote address
at the Fire Summit in London today and offering his views on the way forward
for fire safety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
He
will declare that the fire sector has been repeatedly and consistently warning
of wide-ranging concerns for both the content of fire safety legislation and
the way in which it has been implemented for many years.
Explaining
that there is fragmentation in the processes which aim to ensure fire safety
within the built environment; poor levels of compliance with fire safety
legislation; and the competence of those tasked with achieving this, Mr
Robinson will call for the formation of a new National Fire Safety Agency.
“There
is a pressing need to create a National Fire Safety Agency that can address
fragmentation and take into account input from all the professionals involved
in ensuring the fire safety of our built environment," he says.
"Fire
is much wider than the fire service alone and as such an Agency with wide
representation would fill the gap that so clearly exists at the national level
for a single responsible authority to act as a centre of expertise and advice.
“Such
an Agency could effectively and independently scrutinise fire safety within the
built environment and provide a source of information and review for public and
professionals alike.”
He
will explain that fire protection in the built and natural environment is not
and has never been the province of one group of people; it is a continuous
process which encompasses many; from the architect that designs through the
contractor who builds, the active and passive fire equipment installers, to the
owners and occupiers and the Fire and Rescue Service who attend as a last
resort.
Mr
Robinson will declare that such an Agency could define the necessary standards
and competencies; highlight necessary research; review test procedures and
definitions; oversee enforcement and the necessary competencies and audit
procedures of the enforcement agencies; and benchmark and monitor fire
strategies, providing the public with access to information for the buildings
in which they live and work. Such an Agency could also offer arbitration
services where disputes arise, allowing appeals where necessary; as well as
publishing the results of inspections/audits.
He
will argue that by operating at arm’s length from central and local Government
and Ministers, a National Fire Safety Agency will bring a more independent
approach to fire safety divorced from party politics. Such an agency will also
help to protect public sector fire safety resource from being diverted
elsewhere.
