BSI Consulting On Building Safety Manager Competence Regime

A draft of PAS 8673 is available for public comment and contains competence requirements for the new role of Building Safety Manager.

This PAS is based on the recommendations and core competence criteria set out in BSI Flex 8670. It supports the introduction of the Building Safety Manager that is contained in the Building Safety Bill currently going through Parliament.

PAS 8673

The BSI has facilitated the development of PAS 8673 and it is sponsored by MHCLG. Brian Atkin is cited as the technical author. Members of the drafting steering group include the Association of Residential Managing Agents, the Chartered Institute of Building, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Local Government Association, and a range of other interested organizations.

The Building Safety Manager for higher-risk buildings (over 18 meters in height and containing at least two residential units) may be an individual or a nominated individual working within an organization.

responsibilities

PAS 8673 contains the responsibilities of the Building Safety Manager who should have the competence to:

• Take responsibility for building safety and for engagement with occupants on matters affecting their general well-being, health, safety, and security, and the environment within and around the building.
• Exercise a duty of care in respect of fire safety, structural safety, public safety, and public health.
• Empower occupants on building safety, including their own and their neighbors’ safety, and access to information, and facilitate training to support them and their obligations to other stakeholders.

competence and commitment

It covers the competence and commitment of Building Safety Managers regarding:

• Building structures and building systems
• Interaction of systems and components
• Operational practices necessary to maintain buildings safe for occupants
• Risk management
• Managing change, including the consequences of human behavior
• Leadership, communication, and planning skills
• Personal commitment to ethical behavior and professional standards

different levels of competence

It shows how these levels relate to the competence necessary to manage buildings

It describes different levels of competence for classifying Building Safety Managers, depending on the Building Safety Manager’s skills, knowledge, experience, and responsibility, and indicates the pathways between the levels.

It shows how these levels relate to the competence necessary to manage buildings of different complexity and safety risks.

guidance on the assessment

It also gives guidance on the assessment of individuals. This PAS does not cover training requirements. The consultation is open for public comment until 15 September 2021.

The next episode of FPA’s Assembly Point podcast features a panel discussion, chaired by Claire Wright, about the role of the Building Safety Manager and the competency framework. This will be available from 19 August.