http://www.info4fire.com..._Title=&Omni_Source=

Custodial sentance also mentioned here: http://www.notts-fire.go...4F13AC31AB7F54E4CFB4.asp smitch

The first line of the info4fire link states jailed for eight months!

Also see http://www.healthandsafe...work.com/hsw/liu-orourke

Sentencing the two men, Judge Andrew Hamilton said the time had come to send out a message to those who conduct fire risk assessments and to hoteliers who are prepared to put profit before safety. He jailed the pair for eight months, and ordered Liu to pay £15,000 and O’Rourke £5862 in prosecution costs. “If employers are unsure about their own ability to undertake a fire risk assessment within their premises, they should seek advice from a competent person,” said Ian Taylor, fire protection group manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. He urged employers to establish competency by asking for references and evidence of fire safety training and qualifications, and checking whether potential advisers are registered or accredited with an appropriate body. Is this the first step on the road to required accreditation?

I only know as much as the story, but what I do know is that the attendance of the fire safety officer/s was a routine visit and not as a result of a fire. IMPO why shouldn't they prosecute if there were that many breaches, and they must have seen the fire risk assessment and decided it was very poor. I will see what my fire safety officer friend has to say and let you know.

I note that the inspection team also issued a prohibition notice and they are never dished out lightly! Those of us on here who carry out FRAs for a living would I hope join me in admitting that it is possible to miss the odd problem: a missing sign, the latest EL test record, even a single door closer. After all, we're all human. But the list of very significant findings missed by this bloke represents much much more than a bad day in the office. Like stuff4blokes, I am not worried at all, as I know that 97% of my FRAs are on the button. It's the money grabbing idiot cowboys who should fear this case. My view is "Good riddance to bad rubbish, you are not welcome here" Congrats to Notts F&RS to take this landmark case to court, and where are the big boys (London, GMC, West Mids, Mersyside) as there are scores of similar incompetent wrong uns putting life at risk every day. Let' see some action from you lazy lot!!

Talking of fire risk assessments & management. As part of my development this is a field I'd like to break into. I am comfortable with what I need to do in my current position, the FRS are quite happy with our arrangements, as are our insurers. We are not a high risk company. My question is: What qualifications would be beneficial if I want to progress into this area? Would a NEBOSH Fire Cert be a good starting point? I am currently in retail & distribution. Many thanks Andy

Hi Andy, I work in the same field as you, I've done the NEBOSH Fire Cert which I sat off of the back of doing the L2P course at the Fire Sevice College. From what I've discovered subsequently, the L2P course seems to have more depth of content than the NEBOSH fire cert course.

Motorhead I would suggest the NEBOSH cert as a starter but I know a few people who have failed that, it put them off from going further. The Fire Service College courses lead to membership of FPA and their list of fire risk assessors, this could be the way to go as I think the requirement for accreditation is on the way. Whatever training you go for nothing beats experience and the more fra's you can do the better. Start with what you consider to be low risk premises and work your way up. Good luck.

Thanks Chris & Safety Smurf. This is something that I am interested in, so should be fun doing it! The course in MK is not possible at the moment- doing a Lead Auditors course that week, I will look at further courses. As these are all self funded I will have to spread things out. Andy