Why BS 8674:2025 Matters for Fire Risk Assessments

If you're responsible for fire safety in any building, there's a question that should keep you awake at night: "Am I truly competent to assess this fire risk, or should I be calling in help?"

Until now, answering that question has been frustratingly unclear. But the introduction of BS 8674:2025 has changed that forever, creating the first comprehensive framework for fire risk assessor competence in the UK.

The Wake-Up Call We Couldn't Ignore

The Grenfell Tower tragedy wasn't just about cladding – it exposed a fundamental problem with how we approach fire safety competence. Too many people were making critical decisions about fire risk without the proper knowledge, skills, or experience to do so safely.

The Building Safety Act 2022 responded by making it a legal requirement for building owners and "Responsible Persons" to ensure fire risk assessments are carried out only by competent individuals. But what does "competent" actually mean?

That's exactly what BS 8674:2025 answers.

What This Standard Actually Does for You

Think of BS 8674:2025 as your competence compass. Whether you're a facilities manager, building owner, or someone who's been asked to "just do the fire risk assessment," this standard helps you answer three crucial questions:

1. Am I competent to do this myself? The standard provides clear criteria against which you can honestly assess your own capabilities. No more guesswork.

2. If I need help, how do I find the right person? BS 8674:2025 gives you a benchmark for selecting fire risk assessors, ensuring you choose someone with the right level of expertise for your specific building.

3. How do I demonstrate my competence to others? If you are qualified, the standard provides a structured way to prove your capabilities to employers, clients, or regulators.

The Three-Tier System That Makes Sense

One of the most practical features of BS 8674:2025 is its three-level competence framework:

Foundation Level – Perfect for straightforward environments like small shops, basic offices, or simple residential properties. If you're dealing with a standard building with clear escape routes and minimal complexity, this might be your level.

Intermediate Level – Designed for buildings with moderate complexity, such as multi-storey offices, public venues, or mid-rise residential blocks. These environments require a deeper understanding of fire behaviour and building systems.

Advanced Level – Reserved for complex, high-risk settings like care homes, large multi-occupancy buildings, or premises with vulnerable occupants. These require extensive experience and specialised knowledge.

This tiered approach prevents the dangerous practice of people working beyond their competence while providing a clear career progression path for professionals.

Real Benefits for Real People

For Building Owners and Managers:

• Legal Protection: Demonstrate due diligence by appointing assessors who meet recognised competence standards

• Better Outcomes: More competent assessors mean more accurate risk assessments and more effective safety measures

• Cost Efficiency: Avoid the expense of inadequate assessments that miss critical risks or over-specify unnecessary measures

For Fire Risk Assessors:

• Career Clarity: Know exactly what skills and knowledge you need at each level

• Professional Recognition: Use the standard to demonstrate your competence to clients and employers

• Continuous Improvement: Follow a structured path for developing your expertise

For Training Providers:

• Curriculum Development: Design courses that meet real-world competence requirements

• Quality Assurance: Align training programs with industry-recognised standards

What BS 8674:2025 Doesn't Cover (And Why That Matters)

The standard deliberately focuses on general fire risk assessments and doesn't cover:

• External wall assessments (that's covered by PAS 9980)

• Fire engineering services

• Specialist environments like nuclear facilities

• Invasive inspections requiring destructive testing

This focused approach means BS 8674:2025 complements rather than competes with other standards, creating a coherent framework for fire safety competence.

The Bigger Picture: Building a Safer Future

BS 8674:2025 isn't just another standard, it's part of a fundamental shift in how we approach building safety. It works alongside other key standards like PAS 79-1 (for non-residential assessments) and BS 9792:2025 (which replaces PAS 79-2 for residential buildings) to create a comprehensive system.

This standard represents the industry's response to calls for better regulation and professionalisation following major incidents and inquiries. It's about moving from a world where anyone can claim to be a fire risk assessor to one where competence is clearly defined, measurable, and verifiable.

Your Next Steps

If you have any responsibility for fire safety, BS 8674:2025 should be on your radar. Here's what to do:

If you currently carry out fire risk assessments: Use the standard to honestly evaluate your competence level and identify any skills gaps that need addressing.

If you appoint fire risk assessors: Use BS 8674:2025 as your selection criteria to ensure you're choosing appropriately qualified professionals.

If you're considering a career in fire risk assessment: The standard provides your roadmap for professional development and competence demonstration.

If you're unsure about anything: Remember that recognising the limits of your competence is itself a sign of competence. When in doubt, seek help from someone operating at the appropriate tier.

The Bottom Line

Fire safety is too important to leave to chance. BS 8674:2025 gives us the tools to ensure that everyone involved in fire risk assessment, from building owners to professional assessors, knows exactly where they stand.

In a world where building safety failures make headlines, this standard offers something invaluable: clarity, accountability, and a path to genuine competence. It's not just about meeting legal requirements; it's about ensuring that the people who depend on our buildings can trust that their safety is in capable hands.

For building owners and managers, it is a safeguard. For assessors, it is a professional benchmark. For society, it is a step towards ensuring that safety in our buildings is not just expected but assured.

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