Regulatory Guidance Awareness online learning programme launched by ASFP

Developed to support those with responsibility for managing fire safety, the programme helps learners to understand the legislation, guidance and Best Practice that underpin effective fire risk management and building safety.

As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, those responsible for buildings must have a clear understanding of their fire safety obligations. This new course has been developed to help learners navigate the complex regulatory landscape, understand the role of fire risk assessment and passive fire protection and apply guidance that supports compliance and safer buildings.

Commenting on the launch, Adam Shipstone (head of training at the ASFP) said: “We are delighted to introduce our new Regulatory Guidance Awareness course, which is purpose-designed to support professionals with responsibility for fire safety and building compliance.”

Shipstone continued: “Understanding fire safety legislation and regulatory guidance is essential for building owners, duty holders, ‘Responsible Persons’ and fire safety professionals alike. The course provides learners with practical knowledge of legal duties, fire risk assessment requirements and the important role passive fire protection plays when it comes to safeguarding occupants and supporting compliance.”

Further, Shipstone affirmed: “Through a structured and accessible learning experience, learners will gain an understanding of the regulatory framework that governs fire safety, the responsibilities placed upon different stakeholders and the consequences of failing to meet those obligations.”

In addition, Shipstone noted: “The course explores fire risk assessment methodologies, means of escape considerations, fire safety requirements for different building types and the importance of competence in the fire risk assessment domain. By completing the programme, learners will be better equipped to apply regulatory guidance in support of effective fire safety management and compliance.”

Target audience

The course is suitable for a wide range of professionals including fire risk assessors, passive fire protection inspectors, facilities managers, building owners and landlords, property managers, fire safety professionals, ‘Responsible Persons’, duty holders and sonstruction and maintenance professionals.

Delivered online through the Nucleus Technologies learning platform, the flexible programme can be completed in approximately 30 minutes to one hour, making it an accessible learning solution for busy professionals seeking to improve their understanding of regulatory fire safety requirements.

The learning programme is structured across seven modules covering:

*the regulatory fire safety framework

*legal responsibilities

*fire risk assessment fundamentals

*passive fire protection and means of escape

*different building types

*fire risk assessments in blocks of flats

*enforcement and penalties

Through these topics, learners will develop a clearer understanding of how fire safety legislation applies in practice and also how effective fire risk management supports compliance and occupant safety.

Learning outcomes

By completing the course, learners will be able to:

*explain the legal responsibilities of ‘Responsible Persons’, duty holders and equivalent roles across the UK and Ireland

*understand the purpose and principles of fire risk assessment

*identify the role of passive fire protection within fire safety management

*recognise how building occupancy affects fire risk assessment requirements

*evaluate means of escape and compartmentation requirements

*understand the different types of fire risk assessments used in residential blocks of flats

*appreciate the importance of competence in fire risk assessment

*identify enforcement actions and penalties associated with non-compliance

*apply regulatory guidance to support fire safety compliance

The learning programme concludes with a short online knowledge check, thereby enabling learners to demonstrate their understanding and reinforce key learning points before completion.

Supporting compliance

The launch of the Regulatory Guidance Awareness course reflects the ASFP’s ongoing commitment to improving competence and raising standards across the fire safety and built environment sectors.

By helping professionals to understand their legal responsibilities and the regulatory expectations placed upon them, the course supports better informed decision-making, improved compliance and enhanced building safety outcomes.

The course is also CITB Employer Network eligible, helping organisations to invest in workforce competence, while in parallel supporting wider industry objectives around fire safety and regulatory compliance.

For organisations and individuals seeking a practical introduction to fire safety responsibilities and regulatory guidance, this course provides an accessible and valuable learning opportunity.

The course has been made available to access on the ASFP’s learning management system from 7 September.

*Further information is available online at www.asfp.org.uk