Job Details
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title Fire Safety Surveyor
Position Number(s) 1
Department The Economy
Section or Service Property and Compliance
Grade PO6
DESIGNATION:
Responsible to: Senior Fire Safety Surveyor
Employees directly supervised (if applicable): Please see separate structure chart
JOB PURPOSE:
To provide fire safety surveying expertise, support and advice to ensure LBHF housing stock is inspected, managed and maintained in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any other appropriate Health and Safety Legislation.
List key personal duties in order of importance.
• Provide specialist professional and technical advice and reports on all matters within the functionality of the service, including undertaking the role of professional or expert witness at hearings, adjudications and legal proceedings etc.
• Undertake and produce Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) for LBHF housing stock and tenant meeting rooms, identifying all fire related risks and raise orders to repair and maintenance contractors to remedy risks and rectify identified minor breaches.
• Prepare a programme of FRA inspections in accordance with the regulatory reform order taking account of appropriate risk of different stock archetypes.
• Undertake desk top reviews of Fire Risk assessments at planned intervals as per policy requirements
• Undertake quality assurance of specialist contractors undertaking FRA’s
• Monitor Repairs and Maintenance contractor’s work, inspect completed works and ensure standards are to the highest quality. Follow up unacceptable performance with contractors to ensure issues are remedied.
• Identify technical solutions and develop planned programmes of Fire Safety Works in accordance with LBHF Asset Management Strategy.
• Prepare specifications of works for one off projects as required to ensure that LBHF is fully compliant with current statutory Health & Safety and Fire regulations.
• Work closely with the Planned and Capital Team and post inspect quality of work undertaken during planned programmes.
• Undertake regular random inspections within the housing stock to ensure that fire safety signage and communal areas are free of rubbish or tenants possessions.
• Work with the London Fire Brigade’s inspector responsible for auditing LBHF Fire Risk Assessments. Undertake joint inspections on selected buildings, identify remedies, monitor works and produce reports on the results to the Health and Safety Manager.
• Deal with enforcement notices issued by the London Fire Brigade, organising remedial works and prepare formal responses to the fire brigade.
• Provide advice to and audit/inspect repair and maintenance contractor’s works so that approved materials and products are used across the stock.
• Provide advice and training to Repair and Maintenance contractors to ensure that necessary compartmentalisation works are identified and undertaken during voids
• Provide advice and training to colleagues in HRD and other housing management partners on Fire Safety Management
• Prepare and give presentations to tenants and leaseholders on fire safety and prepare articles and advice on fire safety for inclusion within HRD’s resident’s newsletters.
• Meet with vulnerable tenants to provide them with advice on fire safety.
• Assist the Health and Safety manager in developing, reviewing and maintaining Fire Safety strategies, policies and a HRD Fire Safety database.
• Ensure that Fire Information boxes contain up to date information.
• Prepare reports on fire safety as and when required.
• Prioritise and deal with all customer complaints and members enquiries in accordance with the Council’s timescales and standards and aim to resolve them to the customer’s satisfaction.
• Build and maintain effective and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain own up to date knowledge of legislation, advances in technology and best practice relating to the functionality of this post and ensure that it is translated into action.
• Contribute to the development of policy, practice, procedures and service planning for Asset Management and Property Services and participate in projects, working groups, service developments, audits and reviews as directed.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with their grade and directed by manager.
• Keep up to date with all changes in building regulations, policies and best practice, research new building products and ensure we are compliant with legislation and good practice.
• The role holder will be required to work closely and proactively with service managers across the Economy identifying fire safety requirements and advising on how to meet those requirements.
• Regular contacts will be with colleagues across the Council including HR colleagues, Senior Managers, Council Committees, Members and Lead Members, other Local Authorities, Trade Unions, and a range of internal and external working groups.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications:
• HND/C fire safety management / fire engineering related or equivalent qualification (general practice or management)
• NEBOSH General Certificate.
• NEBOSH fire safety certificate FC1 / FC2 or similar qualifications.
• Advanced Fire Safety and Fire Risk Assessment certificate
Essential:
To have or be actively pursuing the following qualifications:
• Full professional membership to the IFE or similar relevant professional qualifications (i.e. CABE / CIOB / RICS).
Desirable:
• Evidence of CDM competency or willingness to undertake a CDM qualification.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Demonstrable experience in Built Environment / construction industry advising on aspects of Health and Safety and Fire Safety.
• Experience in the delivery of fire safety training.
• Experience of undertaking fire risk inspections.
• Experience of undertaking Fire Risk Assessments in social housing.
• Detailed Knowledge and understanding of The Fire Safety Act 2021 / Building Safety Act 2022 & Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of health and safety legislation and its application and relevance to staff, residents and contractors
• Knowledge of quality assurance systems
• An understanding of local authority statutory responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritise own workload, manage changing demands and meet deadlines
• Ability to handle, interpret, present and explain statistical information relating to accidents, hazards, risks etc., and to reach conclusions and produce guidance proposals.
• Ability to write accurate and concise reports, records and notes.
• Good IT skills and ability to use Microsoft Office applications.
• Able to work outside normal hours where necessary to deal with emergencies
• Ability to attend meetings outside of normal working hours
