Posted By Bob Burton I am looking to expand into conducting fire risk assessments for small to medium size businesses. To prove competence, I am looking to pick up a recognised qualification. Can anyone tell me what they would expect from a freelance Fire risk assessor to prove competence? Would my NEBOSH general certificate cover this or would they expect more. I have found 1 day courses locally but with no accreditation (e.g.CIEH) Perhaps anyone could let me know of any pitfalls I should look out for Thanks in advance Bob

Posted By shaun mckeever If I were to call myself a H&S consultant I think the minimum anyone would expect of me is to have the National general certificate. I've not taken this course but I would say it is more than a one day course. Many would probably say that the diploma would be the minimum qualification. The same would apply to fire safety. You cannot achieve competency through a one day course. The FPA runs a 2.5 day course for 'very simple' FRA's see http://www.thefpa.co.uk/...ment+-+Introduction.htm. Alternatively the Building Research Establishment runs a 4 day course see http://www.bre.co.uk/eventdetails.jsp?id=1417. Even for small and medium size businesses fire safety can be complex particularly if they are occupants in a larger office block where there may be engineered fire safety strategies. There was a thread on pressurisation systems a week or two ago. These are typical of the types of systems where there is very little understanding. If you want to prove competency then one way to do this is to get yourself onto the IFE register of fire risk assessors see http://www.ife.org.uk/frr/