The fire safety sector is being urged by Fire Aware to adopt a new mindset around moral responsibility, emphasizing the need for behavioral changes across the supply chain. While legislation plays a critical role, industry stakeholders broadly agree that current efforts need to surpass regulatory compliance. This call to action highlights concerns about compliance being pursued merely for its sake without genuine commitment to best practices.
Building Safety Act 2022 Challenges
The Building Safety Act 2022 presents considerable challenges with its expansive scope
The Building Safety Act 2022 presents considerable challenges with its expansive scope and diverse requirements for every segment of the supply chain. Despite these complexities, it is crucial that stakeholders, including designers, developers, suppliers, contractors, asset owners, and more, engage meaningfully with these regulations.
Fire Aware, a prominent entity within the industry, is committed to offering guidance through its team of technical experts, aiming for industry unity and consistent fire safety practices.
Fire Aware Code of Conduct
In efforts to foster cohesion and accountability, Fire Aware has introduced a comprehensive Code of Conduct. This initiative includes several charters tailored to various roles such as main contractors, property developers, and building managers, each designed to uphold a high standard of practice without bypassing existing legal obligations.
Fire Aware encourages members to comply fully with applicable laws while promoting an ethical commitment to safety and excellence.
Prioritizing End User Safety
The organization's charters encourage its members to prioritize end user safety, urging businesses to exceed basic standards and distinguish themselves as entities dedicated to care and responsibility. Fire Aware also recognizes the contribution of those outside the immediate fire safety sector who uphold safety duties. It welcomes inquiries from businesses and individuals interested in aligning with its mission or seeking expert advice.
In raising the issues of moral responsibility for all of those involved in the fire safety supply chain, Fire Aware are asking for behavioral 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 recognizes 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 organizations 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.
