Fire Aware is advocating for a shift towards moral responsibility within the fire safety supply chain, urging everyone involved to adopt a behavioural change. There is a growing consensus in the fire safety industry that legislative measures alone are insufficient. Previously, the industry was encouraged to self-regulate, but it now faces a multitude of new laws and guidelines.
Challenges in Fire Safety Legislation
Stakeholders, from designers and developers to asset owners and installers, bear a shared moral responsibility
One of the prevailing issues across the industry is the moral responsibility that goes beyond mere compliance. There is a risk that compliance may become a goal in itself, losing the essence of actual safety practice.
The Building Safety Act 2022 presents significant challenges due to its extensive requirements affecting every level of the supply chain. Stakeholders, from designers and developers to asset owners and installers, bear a shared moral responsibility. Fire Aware, as a major industry body, offers guidance and technical support through its experts to help meet these challenges.
Promoting Unified Fire Safety Standards
Fire Aware seeks to bridge various industry silos, emphasising the importance of expertise and technical guidance in specialist areas. Establishing a uniform approach to fire protection requires a common set of behaviours and practices. To support this initiative, Fire Aware has introduced the Fire Aware Code of Conduct, complemented by a series of charters impacting main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, and both specialist and sub-contractors.
Fire Aware Code of Conduct
The Fire Aware Charter does not intend to contradict existing legal obligations specific to each profession. Instead, it requires all its members to adhere to the relevant laws and standards applicable within their area of expertise. These charters urge businesses to prioritise end-user safety and exceed the basic standards, thereby affirming their commitment to operating as conscientious entities. It acknowledges even those outside the immediate fire sector who retain a duty of care.
Fostering a Culture of Safety
Fire Aware represents a collaborative network of businesses and organisations dedicated to promoting ethical responsibility in fire safety. For those interested in joining their efforts or seeking guidance, Fire Aware encourages reaching out for support.
In raising the issues of moral responsibility for all of those involved in the fire safety supply chain, Fire Aware are asking for behavioural change from all concerned.
The fire safety industry seems largely agreed that more needs to be done beyond legislation itself. In the past, the industry has been told to self-regulate itself, transitioning into where it is now with a blizzard of new legislation and guidance.
Across all the new legal challenges being faced by the industry, there is the cultural issue of moral responsibility. Without the will and commitment to best practice, there is a danger of compliance for compliance's sake.
Building Safety Act 2022
The extent of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the guidance it provides for all are challenging, given the scale of it and the requirements at all levels of the supply chain, but people need to make it work and provide advice and support where possible.
Whether one is a designer, developer, supplier, contractor, asset owner, manager, or installer, the moral responsibility lies with them. All of them. Fire Aware counts itself in this as a lead industry body, helping to advise and provide technical support where relevant through their own technical experts.
They see an opportunity to unite the fire safety industry beyond its own silos. Expertise is crucial, and the technical guidance provided in specialist fields cannot be underestimated, and bringing a consistent approach to fire protection means a common set of behaviors.
Fire Aware Code of Conduct
To that end, Fire Aware has created its own Fire Aware Code of Conduct. Supporting the code, Fire Aware’s series of charters apply to main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, specialist contractors, and sub-contractors.
Their own Fire Aware Charter Conditions do not seek to override any legal obligations as specifically imposed by those of sector-specific professions. All members must abide by and comply with the law and regulations that are relevant within their specialism.
Safety of the end user
The charters ask the member business to consider the safety of the end user, and to go above and beyond minimum standards to promote a commitment within the member business to identify itself as a business that cares. It also recognises those outside of the fire sector, who, while holding a duty of care are not specifically part of the fire sector.
Fire Aware is a community of businesses and organisations taking a stand in the name of moral responsibility. Don’t hesitate to get in touch whether one wants to join them or seek advice.
