Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST0746
  3. Version: 1.1
  4. Level: 4
  5. Typical duration to gateway: 24 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 6 months
  7. Maximum funding: £11000
  8. Route: Protective services
  9. Date updated: 27/02/2023
  10. Approved for delivery: 20 November 2019
  11. Lars code: 530
  12. EQA provider: Ofqual
  13. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
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Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Assessing the level of fire safety in built environments.

Occupation summary

The occupation of Fire Safety Inspector can be found in the Fire and Rescue sector. The fire and rescue sector is formed of three elements, prevention, protection and response. The occupation of fire safety inspector is a specialist role within the protection element, linking closely with the other two elements of prevention and response.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to assess the level of fire safety in the built environment in their area and instigate improvements, where necessary, to preserve life, to reduce damage to property and the environment and to support economic growth.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement work.

  • They work with external stakeholders within the community.
  • They attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders, such as Safety Advisory Groups, and investigate complaints regarding fire safety in commercial premises.
  • The also exchange information effectively with operational crews, prevention teams and partner agencies to ensure an integrated approach to the management of fire risk.

They will also provide support and technical expertise to colleagues and other departments, including mentoring and training, to ensure effective sharing of knowledge.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing advice, participating in consultations, the enforcement of legislation relating to fire safety and supporting investigations and prosecutions. Fire Safety Inspectors inspect complex premises and support businesses by giving advice on how to comply with regulations. Fire Safety Inspectors work at supervisory/managerial level within the fire sector, but they may not necessarily supervise or manage others. 

Typical job titles include:

Fire safety auditor

Duties

  • Duty 1 Carry out Fire Safety inspections/audits of premises in line with current fire safety legislation
  • Duty 2 Enforce Fire Safety legislation in accordance with organisational policy, to include collecting/providing evidence, where appropriate
  • Duty 3 Gather, process and share information with other FRS personnel and external partners relevant to their safety or where it may assist in the performance of their duties.
  • Duty 4 Identify premises, individuals and groups which represent levels of high risk and use that information to inform their organisational risk targeted activities
  • Duty 5 Examine and respond to consultations and submissions from external stakeholders and provide advice in order to determine compliance with statutory codes of practice and other fire safety related legislation with applicable time constraints. Submissions and consultations could include: planning, building regulations, House(s) of Multiple Occupancy, licencing, marriage venues, etc
  • Duty 6 Support formal fire safety investigations as required by the organisation and take appropriate action
  • Duty 7 Contribute to the policy and procedures that relate to legislative guidance on matters concerning Fire Safety
  • Duty 8 Provide technical advice and support on fire safety regulations and guidance documents to internal and external stakeholders
  • Duty 9 Support better regulation by having regard for Primary Authority and interacting with Primary Authority Partnerships.
  • Duty 10 Provide support and guidance to businesses to reduce fire and unwanted fire signals (e.g. from automatic fire alarms)
  • Duty 11 Collaborate effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement activities.
  • Duty 12 Attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders for example Safety Advisory Groups to provide guidance and support with fire safety matters to ensure the safety of the public.
  • Duty 13 Respond to alleged fire risks/complaints and post fire enquiries

End-point assessment summary

ST0746, fire safety inspector level 4

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 6 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • distinction


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the professional discussion underpinned by portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

  • passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard

For the fire safety inspector, the qualification required is:

Diploma in Fire Safety (Fire Inspectors)

Assessment methods

Practical assessment with questions

You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 3.25 hours. They will ask you at least 8 questions.


Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.



Long written test

You will complete a test requiring long written answers. It will be open book, meaning you can have access to some books or reference materials.

The test will have 9 long response written questions. You will have 180 minutes to complete it.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.


Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with Institution of Fire Engineers for Associate / Member

Please contact the professional body for more details.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Fire and Rescue Services: London, South Yorkshire, Shropshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Merseyside, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, South Wales, Devon and Somerset, Avon, Suffolk, West Midlands, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Royal Berkshire, Cornwall, Cambridgeshire, Tyne and Wear. Training Providers/Others: IFE, XACT, Fire Service College, KP Hughes & Associates, SFJ NFCC

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.1 End-point assessment and funding band revised. 24/02/2023 Not set
1.0 Approved for delivery 20/11/2019 23/02/2023

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