The discussion, available at fsmpodcast.podbean.com, explored how FireQual is responding to new standards, the growing importance of competence-based assessment, and what the changes mean for employers, assessors, and the wider fire safety sector.

Darren began by explaining that new BS 8674 standard, announced in August 2025, introduce a clear, tiered competency framework for those carrying out fire risk assessments in occupied buildings.

The three levels (Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced) each reflect different levels of knowledge, skill, and responsibility.

The good news is that FireQual’s new qualifications are mapped exactly to these tiers, ensuring learners meet the specific requirements set out in the standard.

He went on to reflect on the influence of Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review, which placed competence and mandatory accreditation at the centre of UK fire safety reform. Darren emphasised that FireQual’s regulated, Ofqual- and SQAA-approved fire risk assessment qualifications, aligned with recognised schemes such as BAFE’s SP205 Scheme requirements and other relevant standards, provide a trusted route for assessors to gain verifiable, sector-recognised certification.

In discussing FireQual’s approach, Darren stressed the balance between strict regulatory governance and active engagement with industry stakeholders. As a regulated awarding organisation, FireQual follows rigorous quality assurance processes but also manages consultations, steering groups, and collaborative workshops. By working with fire and rescue services, consultants, training providers, and scheme operators, the organisation keeps its qualifications relevant and adaptable to emerging needs.

Darren also noted that, as a specialist awarding body, FireQual can often respond to market demands faster than some larger providers, and in this instance, has brought the new fire risk assessment qualifications and recognised training programmes to market as a priority and at pace.

Regarding transitioning to the new BS 8674 framework, Darren reassured listeners that experienced professionals will have a straightforward path forward. Existing qualifications have been mapped to the new framework. Where possible, Experienced Worker Pathways, along with Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), have been applied to help practitioners progress without unnecessary repetition, provided compliance requirements are met.

Sector support has been a key part of the development process. Darren explained that FireQual convened panels of experts, including fire risk consultants, UKAS representatives, scheme operators, and advisers from fire and rescue services, to ensure that the new qualifications are grounded in real-world expectations and have genuine credibility in the sector.

FireQual is delighted to announce that, since the podcast recording, the rollout of the new qualifications, planned from summer 2025, have in fact been launched on the 8th of September 2025. These include three fire risk assessor tiers, with further additional launches of regulated qualifications such as the revised and updated Fire Detection and Alarms suite (Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance, Non-Domestic and Domestic), Fire Wardens, Fire Strategy, Emergency Lighting, and Portable Fire Extinguishers, due later this year.

FireQual is already onboarding training provider partners, with full qualification specifications and enrolment pathways which are now published on the FireQual website:

Browse FireQual Qualifications

What do the new qualifications mean for employers and candidates?

For employers, the introduction of these new qualifications offers a clearer, standardised way to verify the competence of their teams.

For candidates, it provides a structured progression route that aligns directly with national standards. And for the fire safety sector, it represents a significant step towards embedding competence as a measurable, demonstrable, and universally recognised requirement.