Job Purpose
The Fire Safety Manager will provide specialist fire safety expertise across Soha Housing's residential property portfolio and will play a key role in ensuring that the organisation meets its statutory, regulatory and corporate responsibilities for fire safety.
The postholder will be responsible for the planning, undertaking and review of intermediate-level Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) across Soha's housing stock, together with the management and assurance of fire safety arrangements arising from those assessments.
The role will require a strong working knowledge of UK fire safety legislation, recognised fire safety guidance and relevant British Standards, together with the ability to apply professional judgement and a proportionate, risk-based approach to fire safety management.
Soha's current housing portfolio comprises buildings below 11 metres in height. The role will therefore primarily focus on low-rise residential accommodation, communal areas and associated premises, while maintaining an appropriate understanding of the wider Building Safety Act and higher-risk building regulatory framework.
The Fire Safety Manager will act as a key subject matter expert for operational fire safety, providing authoritative advice to colleagues, managers, contractors, consultants and senior leaders. The postholder will also provide constructive challenge where fire safety standards, risk assessments, remedial recommendations or proposed controls require further consideration.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fire Safety Management and Compliance
Support the Head of Health and Safety in the development and delivery of Soha's Fire Safety Strategy and Fire Safety Management System.
Ensure that Soha's fire safety arrangements comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and other applicable legislation.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of relevant fire safety guidance, British Standards and recognised industry good practice.
Monitor and provide assurance on fire safety compliance across Soha's residential portfolio.
Identify emerging fire safety risks, legislative changes and areas requiring improvement.
Provide competent and authoritative fire safety advice to managers, operational teams and senior colleagues.
Support the development, review and implementation of fire safety policies, procedures and standards.
Maintain accurate records and evidence demonstrating compliance and effective fire safety management.
2. Fire Risk Assessments
Undertake intermediate-level Fire Risk Assessments across Soha's low-rise residential portfolio.
Plan and programme FRAs in accordance with Soha's risk-based assessment programme.
Undertake comprehensive inspections of buildings, communal areas and relevant fire safety systems and arrangements.
Identify fire hazards, persons at risk and existing control measures and assess the adequacy of those controls.
Apply professional judgement to determine appropriate risk ratings and proportionate recommendations.
Produce clear, accurate and evidence-based Fire Risk Assessment reports.
Identify and recommend appropriate control measures and remedial actions.
Review existing FRAs and determine where reassessment, additional investigation or specialist advice is required.
Quality-assure FRAs undertaken by external consultants where appropriate.
Challenge recommendations where they appear disproportionate, insufficiently justified or inconsistent with recognised guidance.
Escalate complex or specialist issues requiring higher-level fire engineering or specialist assessment.
Maintain oversight of the FRA programme and provide assurance on compliance and completion.
Monitor trends and recurring findings across the portfolio and identify opportunities for preventative action.
3. Fire Safety Action Management
Develop and manage action plans arising from FRAs, inspections, audits, incidents and other fire safety activities.
Ensure actions are prioritised according to risk and completed within appropriate timescales.
Provide technical advice regarding proposed remedial measures.
Review evidence of completion and verify that remedial works adequately address identified risks.
Undertake follow-up inspections and quality assurance checks where required.
Identify recurring defects or systemic issues and recommend organisational improvements.
Provide regular performance information and assurance reports to the Head of Health and Safety and relevant governance forums.
4. Fire Safety Remedial Works and Contractor Management
Provide technical oversight of fire safety remedial works arising from FRAs and other inspections.
Review specifications, proposed solutions and contractor methodologies where required.
Coordinate with Property Services, Asset Management and contractors to ensure fire safety works are appropriately planned and delivered.
Monitor contractor performance, competence, quality and compliance.
Undertake site inspections and quality assurance checks.
Ensure completed works are appropriately inspected, evidenced and recorded.
Provide technical challenge where proposed works do not adequately address the identified fire risk.
Support the procurement and appointment of competent fire safety contractors and consultants.
5. Fire Doors and Compartmentation
Undertake or oversee fire door inspections and surveys where required.
Identify defects affecting fire resistance, integrity, performance or compliance.
Provide appropriate recommendations for repair, replacement or further investigation.
Monitor fire door remedial programmes and contractor performance.
Develop an appropriate understanding of compartmentation and passive fire protection arrangements.
Identify circumstances where intrusive investigation or specialist fire stopping/compartmentation surveys may be required.
Review evidence of remedial works and provide assurance that identified defects have been appropriately addressed.
6. Resident Fire Safety and PEEPs
Undertake and/or oversee assessments for residents who may require assistance during a fire emergency.
Develop, implement and review Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and other individual evacuation arrangements where appropriate.
Work collaboratively with Housing, Neighbourhoods, Support Services and other teams to ensure resident-specific arrangements remain effective.
Provide practical fire safety advice to residents and colleagues.
Support resident engagement and communication initiatives relating to fire safety.
Ensure resident vulnerability and evacuation considerations are appropriately reflected within fire safety management arrangements.
7. Emergency Planning and Incident Management
Support the development and review of Fire Emergency Plans and evacuation strategies.
Participate in investigations of fires, fire-related incidents and significant near misses.
Identify lessons learned and recommend improvements to prevent recurrence.
Provide specialist fire safety advice during emergency situations where required.
Support business continuity and emergency planning activities.
Monitor fire incident trends and identify opportunities for preventative intervention.
8. Fire Safety Governance and Assurance
Chair the Fire Safety Working Group.
Prepare reports, performance information, agendas, action trackers and assurance updates.
Provide fire safety information for senior management, committees and Board reporting.
Support internal audits, inspections and assurance activity.
Maintain oversight of fire safety performance indicators and compliance data.
Support the development and review of fire safety policies, procedures and standards.
Provide evidence and assurance for regulatory, audit and governance requirements.
Contribute to continuous improvement of Soha's Fire Safety Management System.
9. Legislative and Regulatory Advice
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes to fire safety legislation, regulations, guidance and relevant standards.
Interpret legislative and technical requirements and translate them into practical requirements for Soha.
Advise on the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and associated legislation.
Maintain awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022, Building Safety Regulations and the regulatory framework applicable to higher-risk buildings.
Monitor developments in fire safety case law, government guidance and industry good practice where relevant.
Advise the organisation on the implications of legislative and regulatory changes.
Ensure fire safety policies and procedures remain aligned with current legal and regulatory requirements.
10. External Stakeholder and Professional Liaison
Act as a key point of contact for operational fire safety matters.
Liaise with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and other enforcing authorities as required.
Develop effective professional relationships with fire safety consultants, contractors and other specialist organisations.
Respond to regulatory enquiries and support regulatory inspections.
Represent Soha at relevant professional meetings and forums.
Maintain appropriate professional networks and awareness of emerging industry practice.
h11. Training, Advice and Competence
Provide fire safety advice, guidance and technical support to colleagues across Soha.
Deliver fire safety awareness sessions, briefings and toolbox talks where required.
Support managers in understanding their fire safety responsibilities.
Identify fire safety competency and training requirements.
Contribute to the development of fire safety training materials and guidance.
Promote a positive and proactive fire safety culture throughout the organisation.
General Responsibilities
Work in accordance with Soha's values, policies and procedures.
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.
Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development.
Keep abreast of changes in legislation, guidance and industry practice.
Work collaboratively across Property Services, Housing, Development and other corporate functions.
Carry out any other duties reasonably commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.
What You Will Need
Essential Qualifications
Level 4 Fire Safety qualification or equivalent recognised fire safety qualification.
Fire Risk Assessment qualification or demonstrable competence in undertaking intermediate-level Fire Risk Assessments.
Fire Door Inspection qualification, such as FDIS or equivalent, or willingness to obtain.
Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development in fire safety.
Desirable Qualifications
Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) or equivalent.
NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate or equivalent.
Relevant qualification in fire engineering, building surveying, construction or a related discipline.
Additional qualification or training in passive fire protection, compartmentation or fire stopping.
Essential Technical Knowledge
The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of:
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Fire Safety Act 2021.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Relevant provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022.
Relevant British Standards and recognised fire safety guidance.
Principles and methodology of Fire Risk Assessment.
Fire safety in residential accommodation.
Means of escape and evacuation strategies.
Fire doors and passive fire protection.
Compartmentation principles.
Fire detection and alarm systems.
Emergency lighting and other life safety systems.
Resident vulnerability and evacuation considerations.
PEEPs and individual evacuation arrangements.
Fire safety management systems.
Contractor management and quality assurance.
Risk assessment principles and proportionate risk control.
Essential Experience
Demonstrable experience working in a professional fire safety role.
Experience undertaking Fire Risk Assessments, ideally within residential housing or a comparable built environment.
Experience assessing fire risks and determining proportionate control measures.
Experience producing clear and technically robust FRA reports.
Experience managing and monitoring actions arising from FRAs.
Experience inspecting fire doors and/or passive fire protection.
Experience managing or quality-assuring fire safety remedial works.
Experience providing competent fire safety advice to managers and operational teams.
Experience working with contractors, consultants and external stakeholders.
Experience supporting fire incident investigations.
Experience producing management reports and compliance information.
Experience engaging with enforcing authorities or other regulatory bodies.
Essential Skills and Behaviours
Strong technical knowledge and professional credibility.
Excellent analytical and risk assessment skills.
Ability to interpret legislation, guidance and technical standards and apply them in practical situations.
Ability to undertake effective intermediate-level Fire Risk Assessments independently.
Strong professional judgement and decision-making skills.
Ability to challenge constructively and confidently where fire safety standards or proposed solutions are inadequate.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to explain complex fire safety matters clearly to non-technical audiences.
Strong organisational and workload management skills.
Ability to prioritise competing risks and demands.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
Confident working with senior managers, contractors, consultants and external stakeholders.
Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining technical competence.
Professional Standard
The postholder will be expected to maintain a high level of professional competence and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuing professional development.
The role requires the postholder to exercise professional judgement when assessing fire risks and recommending control measures. Where matters fall outside the postholder's level of competence or require specialist fire engineering input, they will be expected to recognise those limitations and ensure appropriately competent specialist advice is obtained.
Scope of the Role
Soha Housing's current property portfolio primarily comprises residential buildings below 11 metres in height. The role will therefore focus predominantly on low-rise residential fire safety and intermediate-level Fire Risk Assessments.
The postholder is not expected to act as a specialist fire engineer or undertake complex fire engineering assessments. However, they must be capable of recognising when an issue requires specialist fire engineering, structural, passive fire protection or other expert input and ensuring that appropriate advice is commissioned.
The role will provide a clear progression from an operational Fire Safety Officer position, with increased responsibility for technical assessment, professional judgement, legislative interpretation, assurance, risk-based decision making and organisational challenge.
