ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment

ABBE Level 3 Certificate

in Fire Risk Assessment

Qualification Handbook

Page 1 of 39

ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment

CONTENTS

Page
About ABBE / 4
SECTION 1 / INTRODUCTION / 5
1.1 / Background to the development of the ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment / 5
1.2 / Structure / 5
1.3 / Guided Learning Hours / 5
1.4 / Assessment and grading / 7
1.5 / Resources / 7
1.6 / Delivery / 7
1.7 / Recruitment and access / 8
1.8 / Categorising candidates’ prior experience and/or qualifications / 8
1.9 / Candidates with particular assessment requirements / 8
1.10 / Key skills / 8
SECTION 2 / EVIDENCE / 10
2.1 / Achieving units 1, 2 and 3 and 4 / 10
2.2 / Evidence collection / 10
2.3 / The importance of selection / 13
2.4 / Accreditation of Prior Achievement / 13
2.5 / The role of the candidate / 14
2.6 / Portfolio organisation / 14
SECTION 3 / ASSESSMENT AND INTERNAL VERIFICATION / 15
3.1 / Role of mentor/advisor / 15
3.2 / Role of the assessor / 15
3.3 / Assessment methods / 16
3.4 / Assessment records / 17
3.5 / Role of the internal verifier / 17
3.6 / Role of the external verifier / 17
3.7 / Enquires and appeals / 17
SECTION 4 / OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCE OF ASSESSORS AND INTERNAL VERIFIERS / 19
4.1 / Assessors / 19
4.2 / Internal verifiers / 19
4.3 / Centre assessor and IV training requirements / 19
SECTION 5 / EXTERNAL EXAMINATION / 20
5.1 / Examination arrangements / 20
5.2 / Examination content and format / 20
5.3 / Application for reasonable adjustments / 21
SECTION 6 / ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS / 22
SECTION 7 / STRUCTURE AND CONTENT / 23
7.1 / Qualification structure / 23
7.2 / Limitations of competency / 24
7.3 / Benchmarks for the qualification / 25
7.4 / Unit structure / 27
Unit 1Professional practice in fire risk assessment / 28
Unit 2Fundamental principles and concepts for fire risk assessment / 30
Unit 3Prepare to undertake fire risk assessments / 35
Unit 4Undertake and report on a fire risk assessment
/ 36
Appendix / Additional unit Information / 38

ABBE Level 3 CERTIFICATE in Fire Risk Assessment

OFQUAL Accreditation Number: 500/5481/8

Qualification Accreditation start date:01/11/2008

Qualification Operational start date in Centres:01/11/2008

Qualification end date:31/12/2010

Qualification Certification end date:31/12/2013

This guide is for prospective and existing ABBE approved assessment centres who wish to offer the ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment (Cert.FRA). It provides the qualification specification and guidance on evidence and assessment requirements.

The Certificate is aimed at those who intend to carry out fire risk assessments as ‘competent persons’ as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [RRO]. This qualification has been designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their ability to undertake this work and is suitable for both in-house assessors and independent consultants.

At level 3 candidates will be undertaking fire risk assessments on non complex low-rise/medium rise buildings with a low to medium occupancy risk. ABBE is developing a level 4 award that will target more complex buildings: see section 7.1 for a more detailed indication of levels.

This qualification concentrates on fire risk assessments for the purpose of ensuring adequate levels of life safety rather than property protection or business continuity.

This handbook should be used in conjunction with the ABBE Centre Operations Guide, available from the ABBE website or by telephone from the ABBE office on 0121 331 5174.

ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment)

ABBE is an Awarding Body regulated by Ofqual for the delivery of a range of qualifications that form part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the Qualifications and Credit Framework [QCF].

ABBE has developed considerable expertise in overseeing high quality assessment for the higher level vocational qualifications in the Property and Construction sectors of industry. Since its inception late 1997, ABBE has grown steadily and currently offers a suite of qualifications to the industry through its assessment centres.

The Certificate has been accredited by OFQUAL and ABBE centres are adopting a variety of robust, innovative assessment methods for prospective fire risk assessors.

ABBE contact details

For further information please contact

ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment)

BirminghamCityUniversity

Franchise Street

Perry Barr

Birmingham

B42 2SU

Telephone:0121 331 5174

Fax:0121 331 6883

Email:

Website:

SECTION 1INTRODUCTION

1.1Background to the development of the ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment (Cert.FRA)

The need for the Cert.FRA has been brought about by the Government’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).

The Fire Safety Order requires that fire risk assessments will be produced by a ‘competent person’, but without defining competence in terms of either qualification or learning. The ABE Certificate in .Fire Risk Assessment [CertFRA] is a competency-based award that has been developed to provide a structured qualification that requires candidates to demonstrate that they are capable of carrying out fire risk assessments and have the under-pinning knowledge needed.

This qualification has been developed in consultation with representatives from industry organisations and employers. This qualification has been accredited by OFQUAL as a Level 3 qualification in the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and is eligible for public funding as determined by the DfES, under Sections 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. It can be found on the OFQUAL database of accredited qualifications at

This document contains guidance on assessing the ABBE Level 3 Cert.FRA. The Certificate includes four units in the new format specified by the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). Competency-based units set out the required learning outcomes and assessment criteria to set out how fire risk assessments must be carried out.

Candidates must complete all 4 units of the 30 credit certificate and the external examination [independent assessment]. A separate Unit [unit 2], has been introduced to assess underpinning knowledge and understanding across the scope of a fire risk assessor’s operations and candidates must achieve this unit before they can undertake any of the practical units [3 and 4].

The guidance contains further details of the assessment and quality assurance of the qualification together with advice about ABBE’s policy concerning access to the qualification, the design of programmes of study and delivery modes.

This qualification has been designed to encourage participation in education and training in other related areas.

1.2Structure

To achieve the full qualification, a candidate must successfully complete all 4 units and a short exam, which is linked to unit 2 for certification purposes.

Candidates will be qualified to undertake fire risk assessments on low-rise, non-complex buildings. They will need to demonstrate that they have collected appropriate data to identify and evaluate fire risks, and make well-reasoned recommendations for action across a range of situations. Candidates would need to complete the following units:

Unit / Title / Credit value / Learning time / QCF unit reference
Guided
learning (hours) / Private
study
(hours)
1 / Professional practice in fire risk assessment / 4 / 20 / 20 / Y/502/0757
2 / Fundamental principles and concepts for fire risk assessment / 12 / 60 / 60 / K/502/0763
3 / Prepare to undertake fire risk assessments / 4 / 20 / 20 / T/502/0765
4 / Undertake and report on fire risk assessments / 10 / 30 / 70 / F/502/0767

The ABBE Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment is designed to:

  • establish a framework of education and training for prospective fire risk assessors;
  • provide opportunities for prospective fire risk assessors to achieve a nationally recognised level 3 qualification;
  • define the knowledge, understanding and skills candidates need to undertake fire risk assessments;
  • provide opportunities for candidates to develop their Key Skills abilities: a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.

1.3Guided learning hours (glh)

The ABBE Cert.FRA is a Level 3 award and has an anticipated 130 hours of guided learning. Guided learning hours refer to the amount of study undertaken by the candidate under the direction of the trainer. This could include tutorials, directed research, project or assignment work. This is intended as a guide only and the actual amounts of time will vary according to the needs of the individual candidate.

1.4Assessment and grading

The ABBE Cert.FRA is competence-based and criterion-referenced. Units 1, 3 and 4 have a standard format that is designed to provide clear guidance on the requirements of the qualification for candidates, assessors and verifiers and are assessed by a combination of work related evidence and an external examination. Unit 2contains the requirements for knowledge and understanding and candidates must achieve this Unit before sittind the External Examination.

None of the units within this qualification are graded.

All four units must be completed successfully and the ABBE External Examination passed in order to gain the full qualification.

1.5Resources

This qualification is designed to accredit the skills and knowledge held by experienced candidates and to prepare inexperienced candidates for employment as a fire risk assessor. Centres must ensure that candidates have access to resources of industry standard to support the delivery and assessment of this programme.

Staff delivering programmes and conducting the assessments should be fully familiar with current practice and standards in the sector concerned. Centres will need to demonstrate how candidates will access any specialist resource requirements when they seek approval from ABBE.

All staff involved in the assessment and verification of this qualification must have the necessary occupational skills and experience required. See Section 4: Occupational competence of assessors and internal verifiers for further details.

1.6Delivery

It is important that centres develop an approach to teaching and learning that supports the assessment of the specialist vocational nature of the ABBE Cert.FRA. The specifications contain a balance of practical skill and knowledge requirements, some of which can be theoretical in nature.

Tutors and assessors need to ensure that appropriate links are made between theory and practice and that the knowledge base is applied to the sector. This will require the development of relevant and up-to-date teaching materials that allow candidates to apply their learning to actual events and activity within the sector, and to generate workplace evidence for their portfolio

1.7Recruitment and access

ABBE’s policy regarding access to its qualifications is that:

  • the qualifications should be available to everyone who is capable of reaching the required standards and has access to appropriate work to generate evidence;
  • the qualifications should be free from any barriers that restrict access and progression;
  • there must be equality of opportunity for all wishing to access the qualifications.

Centres should ensure that they recruit candidates to this qualification with integrity. This will include ensuring that applicants have appropriate information and advice about the award and that it will meet their needs and expectations.

Centres must assess each applicant’s potential and make a professional judgment about their ability to successfully complete the programme of study, where applicable, and achieve the qualification. This assessment will need to take account of the support available to the candidate within the centre during their programme of study and any specific support that might be necessary to allow the candidate to access the assessment for the qualification.

Further information on equal opportunities and access to fair assessment can be found in the ABBE Centre Operations Guide available on the ABBE website at or by telephone on 0121 331 5174.

1.8Candidates with particular assessment requirements

ABBE recognises that some candidates have difficulty with the learning demands of a course or find the standard arrangements for the assessment of their vocational competence presents a challenge. This may apply to candidates with known and long-standing learning difficulties and/or physical or other impairments.

Centres must take steps to ensure that any particular assessment requirements are identified as early in the programme as possible, preferably at initial assessment stage, and appropriate arrangements are put in place to support the candidate.

Further information on equal opportunities and access to assessment can be found in the ABBE Centre Operations Guide available on the ABBE website at or by telephone from 0121 331 5174.

1.9Key skills

The following table shows where evidence produced for the ABBE Cert.FRA Level 3 may contribute to achievement of Key Skills units. This provides an indication only and does not imply full coverage.

Key Skills Units / ABBE Level 3 Cert.FRA
Unit 1 / Unit 2 / Unit 3 / Unit 4
Communication Level 3 / X / X / X
Application of Number Level 3
Information Technology Level 3 / X
Working with Others Level 3
Improving own Learning and Performance Level 3 / X / X
Key Skills Units / ABBE Level 3 Cert.FRA
Unit 1 / Unit 2 / Units 3 / Unit 4
Problem Solving Level 3 / X
Ethical, social, legislative, economic or cultural considerations / X
Sustainability, Health & Safety, European international developments / X / X / X / X

SECTION 2:EVIDENCE

2.1Achieving the units

It is expected that the award requirements are met by the submission of evidence generated from within the work-place, however this could be supplemented by training activities for Units 1 and 2 that are assessed by assessment centres.

Candidates are required to produce a minimum of three fire risk assessments and associated advisory reports. Assessors must assess all three. Candidates must complete all 4 units and the external examination [independent assessment]. Candidates must achieve unit 2 before they can undertake any of the practical units [3 and 4].

Candidates’ evidence must demonstrate:

  • that they have applied the knowledge contained in Unit 2 when carrying out their fire risk assessments;
  • how they identified key aspects of construction, use and fire risks for each property;
  • how they analysed and evaluated the data collected, and
  • their justifications for the recommendations made for each fire risk assessment report.

The assessments used to ensure coverage of the learning outcomes for the units can be summarised as follows:

  • A multiple choice test (set by ABBE) to test underpinning knowledge
  • Three appropriate fire risk assessments
  • Supporting evidence such as site notes and correspondence to accompany each
  • A critical reflection on the process and rationale for key decisions made.

The evidence required for assessment is covered in more detail below in section 2.2.

It is the responsibility of assessment centres to confirm the fire risk assessments, are valid and the un-aided work of candidates and to assess them fully to establish that they meet the award requirements to the extent ABBE has specified.

Computerised simulations are not acceptable for assessment purposes though they may be used for training.

2.2Evidence collection

Evidence from the candidate's own work - direct or primary evidence

The most important source of evidence will be the candidates’ own performance at work.

It is called direct evidence because it was produced directly by candidates. Both the products (what is done) and the processes (the way it is done), can be used as evidence.

Direct evidence will normally take the form of:

  • Work products, typically documents that are used or generated by candidates when undertaking fire risk assessments. For example:
  • Copies of all correspondence between candidates and their clients at all stages of the process
  • Photos, sketches and/or drawings that sufficiently portray the nature of buildings and occupancies
  • Records of information from interviews with staff.
  • Pro-forma’s based on PAS 79 or equivalent in respect of the completed:
  • Fire Risk Assessment
  • Action Plan
  • Personal statements, often referred to as storyboards, describing particular situations or activities candidates have dealt with; the evidence collected, reasoning behind decisions made; and the resulting outcomes.
    For example:
  • The process adopted by candidates from the point of receiving instructions through to the submission of the reports and recommendations in each case.
  • The nature of the buildings assessed in terms of their construction and layout.
  • The nature of occupancies and/or processes undertaken.
  • The existing fire precautions and (fire) management practices that are in place
  • The perceived classification of risk presented by existing circumstances
  • The reasoning behind the evaluation of risks and adequacy of exiting provisions for fire safety, including details of codes or standards referred to.
  • The reasoning behind recommendations that are made for changes to the fire precautions or management of premises.
  • Points at which candidates determined that aspects of fire risk assessments were outside of their own competency and action taken to remedy this.
  • Video or audio recordings showing activities or recording questioning sessions.

Evidence supplied by others - indirect or secondary evidence

Evidence ofcandidates’ performance may be gathered from various other people, e.g. line managers, previous employers, colleagues, customers, suppliers or staff. This is called indirect evidence because it is evidence that infers candidate competence by consulting others. This evidence might be sought after the submission of the direct or primary evidence as a means of addressing any shortcomings that assessors may detect in terms of evidence, analysis or performance.

This evidence might include:

  • Reports on candidates’ performance - e.g. appraisal reports; feedback from customers; staff or team meeting notes; market research findings; evaluation seminars
  • Witness testimonyprovided by line managers, colleagues or peers and describing candidates’ performance in a specified activities or roles

Those who supply witness testimonies are often referred to as witnesses. Witness testimonies should include telephone/email details for witnesses so that they can be contacted by assessors or verifiers, if required.

Evidence supplied by assessors

Assessors are an important source of evidence for candidates, and assessors can contribute directly to candidate portfolios in the following ways:

  • Observation report - Assessors observecandidates carrying out tasks or activities and make detailed records of what they observed, along with decisions on the candidates’ competence.
  • Record of Q&A - Assessor question candidates to test knowledge and understanding and provide records the question and answer session so that verifiable audit tracks are created.
  • Structured professional interview (SPI) – otherwise referred to a Professional Discussion. The SPI is an assessment tool that allows assessment centres to undertake detailed and structured interviews with candidates to speed up the assessment process via single interviews rather than candidates compiling the specified additional evidence in their own timescale. In addition, candidates who still have competence gaps even when they have submitted all the required evidence may find that the SPI is an ideal way for them to address these small shortfalls.

The SPI is well suited to ‘experienced practitioners’, as they will probably be able to come forward with the required evidence of competence more quickly than those who are new entrants.