Glossary
Competent person.
A person with the training, qualifications, experience and continuing professional development to carry out or review a fire risk assessment in the relevant building type, as expected by BS 9792:2025 and assessed in the round rather than by a single qualification.
How BS 9792 frames competence.
BS 9792:2025 expects the fire risk assessor to be competent in the building type they are assessing. Competence in housing FRA is assessed in the round: relevant qualifications (commonly NEBOSH Fire Certificate or IFE qualifications), demonstrable experience on the relevant building stock, ongoing professional development, and where peer review applies, a competent reviewer at least as experienced as the lead assessor. PAS 7:2024 sets the recognised UK competence framework for fire risk assessors and is referenced by BS 9792 for context.
How the FSO uses the term.
The Fire Safety Order 2005 does not by itself define "competent person" but expects the Responsible Person to appoint a competent person to carry out the FRA where they are not competent themselves. Where multiple competent persons are appointed (assessor and reviewer, or specialist consultants), the RP must ensure cooperation between them.