The public consultation process for PAS 8673, a new specification that provides a framework for the competence of Building Safety Managers, is now open until 15 September.

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, is seeking consultation from people in the housing, construction, fire and safety industries. Comments can be registered online here.

The standard is a part of the Built Environment Competence Programme, which supports the Building Safety Bill to raise competence requirements for three newly regulated roles – Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and Building Safety Manager.

A Building Safety Manager is an individual or entity appointed to take responsibility for managing building safety. PAS 8673: Built environment – Framework for competence of individual Building Safety Managers and nominated individual Building Safety Managers – Specification specifies requirements for building safety competence relevant to the role, functions, activities and tasks of the managers based on the recommendations and core competence criteria set out in BSI Flex 8670.

It covers the competence and commitment of Building Safety Managers in regard to:

• 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 behaviour;
• Leadership, communication and planning skills; and
• Personal commitment to ethical behaviour and professional standards.

It describes different levels of competence for classifying Building Safety Managers, depending on their 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.

The standard is intended for use by both individual Building Safety Managers and nominated individuals working within organisation Building Safety Managers. It is also expected to be of use to organisations that will assess the competence and commitment of Building Safety Managers, including professional bodies, trade bodies and those that regulate by statute or facilitate voluntary self-regulation, national accreditation authorities, Government agencies, employers and insurers.

Following consultation, the standard is due to be published in early 2022.

International Workplace interviewed Chairman of Working Group 8, Anthony Taylor on the issue of competence and the Building Safety Manager. Read it in full here.