SFJ Awards has released two new fire risk assessment qualifications aligned to the BS 8674 standard updated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in August last year.
The standard was updated in light of Grenfell Tower and subsequent fire safety reforms, and aims to improve consistency, quality, and accountability in how fire risk assessments are conducted.
Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK and anyone who is responsible for a building, for example an employer, owner, or occupier of a premises that isn’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (a private home), needs to make sure a suitably competent person completes one.
SFJ Awards worked with fire and rescue services, the Ministry of Defence and more to develop the Ofqual-regulated Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment qualification routes to offer greater flexibility for learners.
The qualifications support the application of legislation and risk-based methods across a range of premises, enabling learners to produce clear findings and recommendations as part of the fire risk assessment process.
David Higham, Managing Director at SFJ Awards, comments: “Delivering improved standards in fire risk assessments relies upon having the learning architecture in place to support learners to acquire the requisite knowledge and apply it practically in the field.
“Bringing these new qualifications to market is a key step forward in supporting this aim and enabling alignment with BS 8674:2025.
“The introduction of the Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma offers two qualification routes to provide flexibility for learners and support greater coverage across the sector – as is needed – to drive up safety standards overall.”
Chris Wilson is Managing Director at The Fire Safety Academy and was part of the steering group that led the development of the qualifications. He comments: “BS 8674:2025 is an important step forward for assessing and mitigating fire risk in residential complexes, tall buildings, and business and mixed-use premises across the UK.
“The qualifications therefore provide a vital bridge between the new safety standards and learners and practitioners responsible for conducting fire risk assessments.”
The Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment are now available for delivery at training centres across the UK, and support progression through supervised practice, workplace experience and ongoing CPD.
The Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment are also in development to support progression to the advanced Fire Risk Assessor competencies outlined in BS 8674:2025.
To find out more visit: https://sfjawards.com/qualifications/fire-and-rescue/certificate-diploma-in-fire-risk-assessment
