SFJ Awards launches fire risk assessment qualifications aligned to BS 8674

The British Standard was updated in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent fire safety reforms and aims to improve consistency, quality and accountability in terms of how fire risk assessments are conducted.

Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK. Anyone who’s responsible for a building – for example an employer, an owner or the occupier of a premises that isn’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (ie a private home) – needs to make sure that a suitably competent individual completes this process.

SFJ Awards has worked with Fire and Rescue Services, the Ministry of Defence and others to develop the Ofqual-regulated Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment qualification routes in order to offer greater flexibility for learners.

The qualifications support the application of legislation and risk-based methods across a range of premises, enabling learners to produce clear findings and recommendations as part of the fire risk assessment process.

Learning architecture

David Higham, managing director at SFJ Awards, commented: “Delivering improved standards in fire risk assessments relies upon having the learning architecture in place to support learners so that they can acquire the requisite knowledge and apply it practically in the field. Bringing these new qualifications to market is a key step forward in supporting this aim and enabling alignment with BS 8674:2025.”

Higham continued: “The introduction of the Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma brings forward two qualification routes to provide flexibility for learners and support greater coverage across the sector, as is needed, in order to drive up safety standards overall.”

Chris Wilson is managing director at The Fire Safety Academy and was part of the Steering Group that led on the development of the qualifications. “BS 8674:2025 is an important step forward for assessing and mitigating fire risk in residential complexes, tall buildings and business in addition to mixed-use premises across the UK. The qualifications provide a vital bridge between the new safety standards and learners and practitioners responsible for conducting fire risk assessments.”

Continuing Professional Development

The Level 4 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment are now available for delivery at Training Centres across the UK and support progression through supervised practice, workplace experience and ongoing Continuing Professional Development.

The Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment are also in development to support progression to the advanced fire risk assessor competencies outlined in BS 8674:2025.

*Further information is available online at https://sfjawards.com/qualifications/fire-and-rescue/certificate-diploma-in-fire-risk-assessment