Who should join the ASFP as an individual member?

Individual Member Groups – Qualification for Joining:

Although the ASFP would welcome any eligible company into its membership, we recognise that passive fire protection may not be the primary driver for companies that we support in some industry sectors. As a result, we are pleased to offer support to individuals working within such businesses that have a professional or educational need to engage with us.

Architects / Architectural Technicians:

An architectural practice may never have the need to join the ASFP as a company member.  However, depending on the size of practice, certain architects may take the lead in one of the core codes of practice, for instance. Approved Document A – ‘Structure’, or Approved Document B – ‘Fire Safety’ etc, In such cases; the individual  architect may become the ‘go to’ person at the practice for that discipline.

The ASFP knows that architectural students do not study such narrow fields as passive fire protection in any great depth.  However, we recognise that architects and architectural technicians are required to maintain a continuous level of learning (CPD) if they wish to remain members of their respective professional bodies.

Individual membership of the ASFP will give such individuals access to a library of documentation and best practice guidance, plus a wide range of learning with outcomes as CPD points, or even Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) qualifications.

As such, any architect who focuses on fire safety would benefit from joining the ASFP as an individual member, to obtain access to discounted pricing on training, forums and events, and technical documents. The knowledge gained could then be passed on to colleagues. With the cost of membership only £300.00 it would be a perfectly acceptable business expense for any practice, paying for itself after only a couple of purchases or courses.

Similarly, if you are an architect working for yourself, then upskilling in these niche areas is vital.

Designers / Engineers:

Engineering consultants cater for a broad spectrum of engineering services within the design and construction industry, as such, it is unlikely that an engineering firm would have a need to join as a full company member.

However, the ASFP knows that fire safety engineering is a major part of any engineering consultant’s workload and revenue stream, plus carries some of the greatest challenges and risks. One of the ways engineers can lower this risk is through an ongoing pathway of improving skills and knowledge within the passive fire sector.

As with architects, the need for this knowledge would not be applicable to all members of the business.  Thus, individual membership would suit and benefit those who specialise in fire engineering. We appreciate fire engineers will have prior qualifications in the realms of IFE qualifications. However, there is a specific IFE qualification available in passive fire protection.

The individual member would recover their membership fee in the savings they would make in purchasing one Level 2 or 3 foundation course to study towards the IFE exam(s).

Inspectors:

Independent Approved Inspection (AI) companies and Local Authority Building Control (LABC) would generally not have a vested interest in joining the ASFP as a full company member. However, every building control officer (BCO) or AI requires specific specialist knowledge in passive fire protection. Passive fire is a key part of the inspection process, whether that be in the application, performance or installation of products; protecting the means of escape, compartmentation or boundary protection, Inspectors can join as individuals whether they work for an independent inspector’s practice or are local authority employees.  The benefits include savings on training, technical and regulatory events, and vital technical guidance documents in support of every aspect of their work.

Trades (Electricians / Plumbers):

Trades people will generally be members of their respective trade’s registration scheme, for instance, Gas Safe by CORGI, or NICEIC schemes for electricians.  Any trade carrying our works (improvements / remediation / change of use) will more than likely be inadvertently affecting a building’s passive fire integrity.  Any trade making penetrations in walls or floors or dealing with fire / smoke-rated operable elements (fire-rated doors / windows) should have an appreciation of the cause and effects that their work(s) have; what to recognise and how to resolve them.

By joining the ASFP as an individual member tradespeople can benefit from a knowledge pool available for their specific needs.  At £300.00 per year, it’s a very cost-effective way of mitigating risk.

Facilities Managers / Maintenance:

Covering a cross section of all trades and services, as well as being the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO), facilities managers have a broad spectrum of responsibilities.  As with architects, fire engineers and inspectors, facilities management companies may not have a primary interest in joining the ASFP as a full-member company, but like the aforementioned professions, there are likely to be the ‘go-to’ members of the team that specialise in specific disciplines, including passive fire, or fire safety in general.

ASFP offers the opportunity for sole traders or employees of businesses to join as an individual members and benefit from the knowledge and training available to improve their understanding and appreciation of passive fire when discussing design or procuring products and/or services. The knowledge will also help support limiting the risk of mitigation under the RRO.

Facilities managers would also enjoy access to the various networking and industry events, seminars and webinars as individual members.

Consultants (Fire):

By virtue of the nature of their work, consultants need to continually keep up with building codes, standards, legislation and best practice. 

Again, firms of consultants may not have a requirement to join the ASFP as a full company member. However, those employees specialising in fire safety would certainly benefit from the added value individual membership would bring.  £300 per year is something that could easily be approved through company expenses or afforded by a sole trader.

The discounts that apply to members mean that the savings of one foundation course, a couple of introduction courses or a few publications would mean the membership fee is already paid back.

Students:

The ASFP offers free membership to full-time students, enabling them to develop their knowledge of passive fire protection.