Competence Framework unveiled by Association for Specialist Fire Protection

The Competence Framework represents the first step on the ASFP’s Competency Pathway, which aims to support the industry in adopting a unified approach towards building, evidencing and promoting competence across the passive fire protection sector.

Working alongside other organisations, the ASFP has developed the Competence Framework to specify what competency in passive fire protection looks like. It brings together content developed by the ASFP and industry groups in a free, easy-to-use website, which is open to all.

The Competence Framework covers activities specific to passive fire protection in seven areas across the building lifecycle: design and specification, procurement, selling and distribution, installation, inspection, maintenance and ‘own and occupy’. These are then further broken down by complexity, ranging from Foundation through Intermediate, Experienced and Advanced level through to Authoritative.

By defining activities rather than job roles or occupations, the Competence Framework reflects the fact that individuals working within a range of roles – among them architects, surveyors, installers, inspectors and facilities managers – may be involved in passive fire protection activities.

For each activity, the Competence Framework outlines the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours agreed by the industry Working Groups. Each activity definition is presented in a consistent format, with expected competencies detailed in the four quadrants of culture and behaviour, currency of competence, core abilities and specific abilities. To establish competency in a given activity, an individual must be able to demonstrate that they meet all of the statements within all of the groups.

Evolving database

The Competence Framework is an evolving database and will have information added to it over time as more guidance is produced. The current site has a particular focus on passive fire protection installation activities, and particularly so fire stopping, with the listed activities having been developed through the specialist Fire Stopping Sub-Group of Working Group 2. Activities in many of the other areas are not yet fully defined and agreed by industry.

On that note, there’s an ongoing programme in place to develop these statements and bring together further content from various sources, including the ASFP. Greater detail is soon expected to follow for the following areas: design and specification (defined activities are currently under consultation), ductwork and dampers installation (activities are being developed through another Working Group 2 Sub-Group) and sales and distribution (activities related to the requirements of the Code for Construction Product Information are currently under consultation).

Mike Ward, managing director at the ASFP, declared: “I’m delighted to announce the launch of the ASFP’s Competence Framework. While still a work in progress, the ASFP’s long-term aim is for all professions and trades across the whole building lifecycle to be able to access the Competence Framework and gain a full understanding of what they need to do to achieve competency in passive fire protection and record their achievements.”

Ward concluded: “We shall continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to complete the Competence Framework’s development and maintain it thereafter, ensuring that, together, we deliver improved quality and safety across the entirety of the built environment.”

*Access the ASFP’s Competence Framework