1. Fire Risk Assessor and Health & Safety Trainer
Andy Whiting
Beacon Tarn,
Great Barford Meadow,
Barford Road,
Willington,
Bedfordshire.
MK44 3QR.
Mobile 07752714261
email aj@ajsafetyconsultants.co.uk
Web: www.ajsafetyconsultants.co.uk
Profile 1983 – 2010
From February 1983 to November 2010, I served as a Firefighter with Bedfordshire and
Luton Fire and Rescue Service. Apart from the normal emergency responses the majority
part of my working career was to carry out Fire Safety Inspections (approx 40-50 a year).
Up until October 2006 I followed the then current legislation of the Fire Safety Act 1971 for
Offices Shops and Railway Premises, inspecting various establishments ranging from small
shops to complex factories and hospitals e.g. Vauxhall Motor Plant, Arndale Shopping
Centre both in Luton and The Luton and Dunstable Hospital together with Bedford Hospital.
Additional inspections followed legislation 1 (id) visits. These covered mainly a visual
inspection and updating brigade plans of the premises to cover for Fire Fighting activities
and Fire Safety. Specific areas covered focused on:- sufficient water supplies, fire appliance
access, evacuation points, service isolations (gas, electric, sprinkler shut off) hazardous
material storage, fire escape routes, number of persons expected to be present and fire
loading.
I carried out DP (During Performance) inspections on large venues e.g. theatres, night clubs
and sports grounds (Luton Town FC and Bedford Rugby Club).
From October 2006 I made audited inspections under the new Regulatory Fire Safety Order
and inspected again various establishments taking specific interest in the following articles:-
9, Risk Assessment
10, Principles of Prevention to be Applied
11, Fire Safety Arrangements
12, Elimination or Reduction of Risks from dangerous Substances
14, Emergency Routes and Exits
15, Procedures for Serious and Imminent Danger
16, Additional Emergency Measures in Respect of Dangerous Substances if they are
in the Premises
17, Maintenance
18, Safety Assistance
21, Training
29, Alteration Notices
I also at the request of residents under The Community Home Fire Safety Programme
visited their residential accommodation and offered advice on Home Fire Safety and if
required fit Smoke Alarms. We offered and guidance on a Fire Plan and Safe Evacuation
Route from their home in the event of a Fire.
2. I made visits to surrounding properties following a fire in the neighbourhood to inform
residents that we had attended an fire incident in their local area. This was known locally as
Hot Strikes and was well received as a learning point and also offer community advice
towards Fire Safety.
I was involved with Arson Awareness, which was a direct result of attending arson based
fires and working with the police to develop an understanding with the local area to monitor
and reduce any further arson threat. Throughout my career I have been totally respectful
towards Fire Safety, working towards making people aware of their responsibilities, adjusting
their activities to comply with the current law making for a safer environment. Informing the
general public through visits and events on how to make their homes safer by just the simple
installation of a smoke alarm and to have a plan should a fire break out.
Fire Service Professional Courses Attended/ Certificates Obtained
2006 Beds Fire Service NVQ A1 Assessor
2005 Cambridge University VERICS
2005 Cambridge University BASICS
2005 Beds Fire Service Fire Investigation
2005 Beds Fire Service Health and Safety accident investigation
2005 Beds Fire Service Equal opportunities
2005 Beds Fire Service Trench Instructor
2004 Beds Fire Service Decon Instructor
2004 Beds Fire Service CUEES Instructor
2004 Beds Fire Service Winch Instructor
2002 Beds Fire Service General Instructor
2001 Beds Fire Service IOSH
Profile 2007 – Present
Cooper Safety June 2007 – Present
Job Title: Freelance Trainer
Responsibilities:
Delivery of training sessions to various NHS Trusts covering Basic Life Support,
Anaphylaxis Awareness, Manual Handling, Health & Safety and Fire Safety together
with Fire Warden Training and Extinguisher Training.
Conducting Fire Risk Assessments throughout various premises including Royal
Brompton, Harefield, King Edward Vii, Highgate Mental Health and St Pancras
Hospitals. Large private residencies, hotels, factories and restaurants.
Carrying out fire risk assessments in accordance to PAS79 guidelines and approved
building regulation documents and part K requirements together with HTM Fire
Codes of Practice.
Delivery of Fire Safety advice for Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital in Reading.
Ensuring delivery of recommendations with regards to fire risk assessments and
assisting and providing advice to managers and staff on the implementation of fire
risk assessment recommendations.
Inspecting various establishments to carry out DDA and Ligature assessments.
3. Metropolitan Housing Trust Oct 2009 – March 2010
London.
Job Title: Fire Risk Assessor
Responsibilities:
Coordinate and undertake fire risk assessments in accordance to PAS79 guidelines
and approved building regulation documents with regards to the organisations stock
of houses of multiple occupation, flats, maisonettes and sheltered accommodation.
Ensuring delivery of recommendations with regards to fire risk assessments.
Assisting and providing advice to managers and staff on the implementation of fire
risk assessment recommendations.
Maintaining and ensuring completion of the fire risk assessment programme.
Epsom and St.Helier University Hospital March 2011 – March 2012
Job Title: Fire Safety Trainer
Responsibilities:
Provide, manage and deliver fire evacuation training incorporating “Ski Sheet, Ski
Pad and Evacuation Chairs” to all Staff.
Liaise with lead Fire Safety manager to coordinate training programme.
Royal Free Hospitals NHS Trust Aug 2011 – June 2013
Hampstead, London.
Job Title: Fire Safety Trainer
Responsibilities:
Provide, manage and deliver fire training sessions in accordance with Trusts policies.
Liaise with lead Fire Safety manager to coordinate training programme.
Cover Fire Risk Assessments.
Carrying out fire risk assessments in accordance to PAS79 guidelines and approved
building regulation documents and part K requirements together with HTM Fire
Codes of Practice.
Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire June 2010 - March 2014
(Papworth Hospital is the UK's largest specialist cardiothoracic hospital)
Job Title: Fire Safety Consultant
Responsibilities:
The primary role of the post was to undertake the duties of a Fire Safety Adviser and to
support the Lead for Clinical Education and Assistant Director of Operations and Risk
Management function within the Trust and act as the Trusts competent person in fire related
issues in accordance with the Department of Health’s HTM fire code guidance documents
and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. To provide specialist fire safety advice
and devise and deliver statutory fire safety training. To also ensure the Trust meets its
statutory and common law obligations in regards to building fire safety and staff training.
4. Provide and deliver a fire training programme bespoke to the requirements of various
departments.
Coordinate and manage the Trusts Fire Risk Assessments.
Carrying out fire risk assessments in accordance to PAS79 guidelines and approved
building regulation documents and part K requirements together with HTM Fire
Codes of Practice.
Ensuring delivery of recommendations with regards to fire risk assessments.
Assisting and providing advice to managers and staff on the implementation of fire
risk assessment recommendations.
Maintaining and ensuring completion of the fire risk assessment programme.
The Trust had a low Fire Training Compliancy of 7% prior to my appointment, upon
closure of contract I had raised their compliancy to 96%.
St George’s Hospital NHS Trust June 2014 – Sept 2014
Tooting, London.
Job Title: Fire Risk Assessor
Responsibilities:
Carrying out fire risk assessments in accordance to PAS79 guidelines and approved
building regulation documents and part K requirements together with HTM Fire
Codes of Practice.
To advise the trust of their initial and continuing responsibilities in respect of the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and NHS “Fire code”
Formed Company Partnership Nov 2010 - April 2011
Job Title: A & J Health and Safety
Formed Limited Company April 2011 - Present
Job Title: AJ Safety Consultants Ltd
I am a dedicated professional individual totally committed to my chosen career with
over 30yrs of experience in dealing with a multitude of diverse and multi cultural
environments. I have instigated both advisory, enforcement, prohibition and
improvement action to comply with relevant RRO Regulations, Building Regs and
associated HTM codes of practice.
Professional Qualifications and Memberships
2008 Nov NEBOSH:- NGC1, FC1 & FC2
IFE Affiliated Membership Currently working towards GIFirE having submitted an application
towards becoming a member on the IFE Fire Risk Assessor Register.
Currently working towards a diploma in Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS)
The FDIS is delivered by the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme and the Guild of Architectural
Ironmongers (GAI)
British Standards Institute Member (47539246)
5. Summary of 2014 CPD Activities
Informal study activities are credited on a two for one basis, that is two hours of informal study
represents one hour of formal study
Date Time (Actual) Theme & Activity Learning Point(s) & how it
can be applied
Formal Informal
January
2014
14½hrs Fire Training Sessions at
Papworth Hospital
February
2014
11hrs Fire Training Sessions at
Papworth Hospital
March
2014
13hrs Fire Training Sessions at
Papworth Hospital
March
2014
2hrs Following purchase of
HM Gov Building Regs
2010 Fire Safety
Approved Doc B Vol 1
for Dwelling Houses
Refresher on B1 Means of
Escape; B2 Internal Fire
Spread (linings); B3
Internal Fire Spread
(structure); B4 External
Fire Spread; B5 Access
and Facilities for Fire
Service.
March
2014
2hrs Following purchase of
HM Gov Building Regs
2010 Fire Safety
Approved Doc B Vol 2
Other Than Dwelling
Houses
Refresher on B1 Means of
Escape; B2 Internal Fire
Spread (linings); B3
Internal Fire Spread
(structure); B4 External
Fire Spread; B5 Access
and Facilities for Fire
Service.
March
2014
2hrs Following purchase of
PAS 79:2012 Fire Risk
Assessment – Guidance
and a Recommended
Methodology
Refresher on current
standards for Fire Risk
Assessments.
June
2014
8hrs In House Training from
St Georges Hospital,
Tooting, London
Acquiring knowledge and
introduction to Hospitals
Trusts Fire Policies,
reviewing, planning and
prioritised for forthcoming
6. Fire Risk Assessments.
July 2014 1hr IFE Journal – Article on
“Fire Safe Provisions for
Timber Framed Building”
The IFE journal (July
issue) contained an
interesting article Fire
Safety in Timber Framed
Buildings produced by
Roy Kane.
Following a prohibition
notice served by HSE a
FRA was required as
directed by HSG 168 “Fire
Safety in Construction”
The risk assessment
followed the “16 step”
guide to Fire Safety on a
Timber Framed
Construction Site.
July 2014 1hr IFE Journal – Article on
“Fire Safety provisions
for Timber Framed
Building”
The IFE journal (Oct issue)
contained an interesting
article about Fire Door
Inspection Scheme.
Covering certificated
courses. Progressing with
a view of participating and
completing at diploma
level.
Oct 2014 1hr IFE Journal – Article on
“Recognised training
courses – Fire Door
Education”
The IFE journal (Oct issue)
contained an interesting
article about Fire Door
Inspection Scheme.
Covering certificated
courses. Progressing with
a view of participating and
completing at diploma
level.
27th Oct
2014
1h The Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order
(RRFSO) 2005
On Line CDP
30th Oct
2014
1hr Became a member of BSI Review of Bsi updates
18th Nov 8hrs Fire Safety Conference,
Conference covered
following subjects:-
7. 2014 Victoria, London Changes to UK Fire Safety
Law.
Primary Authority Scheme.
Maintaining fire
compartmentation for the
life of the building.
BS 999:2008 Code of
practice for the fire safety
in the design, management
and use of residential
buildings.
Update BS9991:2011-Fire
Safety in the Design.
Management and Use of
Residential Buildings.
Revision Update –
BS9990:2006 Code of
Practice for non-automatic
fire-fighting systems in
buildings.
BS7974-5 Application of
fire safety engineering
principles to the design of
buildings.
Fire service intervention,
PAS7:2013 – Fire Risk
Management Systems
Specification.
Case Study – Fire Safety
Breaches.
Applying fire safety
engineering best practice
in modern building design.
Innovative methods in Fire
Safety.
Case Study – Premonition,
Preventative and
Predictive modelling of
community fire risk
