Pending Changes BAFE Look To Be Considering Over The Next 5 Years

Known / announced BAFE plans & changes

• BAFE recently published BS 8674 — a new competence standard for fire-risk assessors — and is aligning its main scheme with it. The standard defines three levels of assessor competence: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.
• In response, BAFE updated its “Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment” scheme BAFE SP205: Version 6.0 was released 7 November 2025.
• Under SP205 v6.0, new competency and qualification requirements are introduced. Fire-risk assessors will need “regulated qualifications” (or equivalent evidence) mapped to the competence levels, depending on how complex the work is.
• The transition timeline is defined: SP205 v6.0 will replace v5.1 as of 31 March 2026.
• Organisations already certified under SP205 have until 31 March 2028 to meet the new regulated qualification requirements.
• The revised scheme document also includes structural/administrative changes: clearer requirements for sole traders, specific application processes, stricter rules for subcontracting (all subcontractors must themselves be third-party certificated)
• BAFE emphasises independent, third-party certification via a UKAS-accredited Certification Body as the means to assure competence and quality.

What BAFE (or the sector) is likely to focus on in next 5 years

• Rolling out the new competence-based qualification framework: as regulated qualifications become more widespread (e.g. through awarding bodies such as those referenced by BAFE) and more assessors move to Foundation/Intermediate/Advanced levels.
• Increasing uptake of third-party certification and auditing; possibly raising the number of on-site audits / surveillance audits to maintain high standards (especially now that SP205 requires more robust verification).
• Applying the SP205 / BS 8674 model more broadly across different types of premises and fire-risk assessors — including sole traders, small firms, subcontractors — due to the clarified application process.
• Working with regulators / government to support potential legislation requiring minimum competency for all fire-risk assessors (especially after criticisms raised in earlier fire-safety inquiries).
• Ongoing updates & reviews of BAFE schemes to align with evolving standards, building regulation, and fire-safety best practice (i.e. BAFE signalling it will “continue to review schemes against new requirements”).

Suggestions / What BAFE (or stakeholders) should consider doing

• Enhanced transparency and public guidance: Produce clear, publicly accessible guidance for building owners, landlords, and responsible persons — explaining what BAFE certification means, why BS 8674 competence levels matter, and how to choose a properly qualified fire-risk assessor.
• Improved training & qualification access: Work with awarding bodies and training providers to expand capacity, ensure regulatory-aligned courses are affordable and available — including for sole traders and smaller firms — to avoid a shortage of qualified assessors.
• Phased implementation & support: Offer support programmes for existing SP205-certified organisations to transition to v6.0 — including mentoring, “pre-audit” checks, and flexibility for smaller businesses.
• Promote regular re-assessment / CPD requirements: Encourage or mandate periodic re-certification / continuing professional development for fire risk assessors to ensure competence remains current, especially in a changing regulatory/environmental context (new building types, regulations, technologies).
• Encourage wider adoption across fire-safety services: Use the competence/qualification model as a blueprint for other fire-safety schemes (not just risk assessment) — e.g. fire-alarm installation, maintenance, fire-safety consultancy — to raise overall sector standards.
• Engage with government/regulators: Work proactively with regulatory bodies and policymakers to push for formal recognition of competence requirements (e.g. via regulation or legislation), ensuring that fire-risk assessment competence becomes mandatory rather than voluntary.

Strategic Recommendations for BAFE – 5-Year Plan (2025–2030)

1. Introduce a unified “Fire Safety Competence Register”

A single, publicly accessible register listing:

• All BAFE-certified organisations.
• Each assessor’s BS 8674 competence level (Foundation / Intermediate / Advanced).
• Renewal dates, qualifications, and audit history.
• This would dramatically improve transparency for responsible persons and tenants.

2. Improve consumer-facing guidance for building owners & managers

Create plain-language guides and short videos explaining:

• What third-party certification means.
• How SP205 v6.0 affects them.
• How to verify assessor competence.
• This would reduce confusion and raise industry-wide standards.

3. Create a national outreach programme for SMEs and sole traders

Smaller organisations may struggle most with new competence and qualification requirements. BAFE could provide:

• Subsidised training access.
• Step-by-step transition packs.
• Readiness assessments before certification audits.
• This protects both small businesses and the quality of the UK’s fire-risk assessment work.

4. Introduce mandatory CPD requirements across all schemes

Recommendation: minimum 20 hours CPD per year for every certified assessor/technician.
This would ensure that skills stay current as building technologies, safety standards, and legal requirements evolve.

5. Expand the competence-based model to all BAFE schemes

SP205 has adopted BS 8674’s competence structure — but other schemes (alarms, emergency lighting, portable extinguishers, etc.) could also benefit from:

• Clearer skills and knowledge levels.
• Regulated qualification pathways.
• Transparent evidence of competence.
• This would unify standards across the fire-safety industry.

6. Develop a digital audit and verification system

A secure online portal where:

• Certification bodies upload audit results.
• Organisations track compliance tasks.
• Responsible persons verify certificates instantly.
• This reduces fraud and administrative errors while improving trust.

7. Work closely with government toward regulated minimum competence

BAFE is well positioned to support the push for legislation requiring:

• Minimum recognised qualifications.
• Mandatory third-party certification for fire-risk assessment.
• Defined competency levels for assessors on different building types.
• This would bring fire risk assessment closer to the standards seen in gas, electrical, and structural safety.

8. Publish an annual “State of UK Fire Competence” report

A yearly publication summarising:

• Number of certified organisations.
• Compliance trends.
• Audit failures.
• Uptake of regulated qualifications.
• Sector challenges and recommendations.
• This would give policymakers and industry leaders data-driven insight.

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