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Fire Safety19 Jul 2026

Choosing a competent fire risk assessor: qualifications to look for

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a competent person to carry out fire risk assessments. For care homes this means a specialist with experience in sleeping risk premises.

Why this matters

A fire risk assessment from an incompetent assessor creates false confidence. The Fire and Rescue Service has prosecuted care home operators whose assessments were inadequate.

What to do
  • 1Look for membership of IFPO, FPA or IFE.
  • 2For care homes, look for experience with sleeping risk premises under BS 9999.
  • 3Check the assessor is on the BAFE SP205 register at bafe.org.uk.
  • 4Ask for two or three recent references from care homes specifically, not general commercial premises.
Primary source
BAFE SP205: Fire risk assessor accreditation
View source
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