Prioritising Fire Engineer Competence: A Manager’s Perspective

Recent events in the fire industry, notably the Grenfell disaster in London, UK, and the subsequent Hackett report, have cast a spotlight on the importance of competence and proof of knowledge.

As the fire safety landscape evolves, building owners (often the Responsible Person in the UK) are scrutinising the skills and abilities of anyone contracted to work on fire safety within the premises that they are responsible for.

Proof of competency is not just a UK development and many other countries are seeing the same requirement and need to prove knowledge and understanding.

Safety First: Competent engineers ensure the safety of occupants, property, and assets. Their expertise directly impacts the effectiveness of fire detection systems.
Adapting to Standards: The ever-evolving landscape of fire safety standards demands continuous relevant learning. Engineers must stay abreast of changes to regulations, codes, and best practices. Multi-day (chargeable) courses from accredited sources, provide recognised qualifications that are essential.
Proof of Knowledge: Demonstrating competence isn’t just a formality; it’s a testament to an engineer’s ability to handle real-world scenarios effectively. Manufacturers’ Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training (often free of charge) is one aspect and is the best way to keep abreast of technology and best practices related to the products being used or installed.
Taking Action: For managers building and shaping a teams competence, it's important to:

Invest in training
Allocate time and resources for ongoing training
Whether it's CPD product knowledge, standars, or health and safety, regular learning is non-negotiable
Third-Party Accreditation
Seek accredited training from recognised providers
These courses reinforce competence and intsill confidence