The ASFP Competence Framework

Below is a framework of activities specific to passive fire protection. These are presented in domains across the building lifecycle, in levels that corresponding to their complexity. Detailed competence profiles exist for some activities, which will open in a new page. This information is drawn from multiple sources, with more being added over time. Further information can be found on the Competency Pathway homepage.

Design & specify

People who design buildings, parts of buildings, or design the changes in use to a building. Those who do the design, or specify the requirements when a building undergoes significant changes.

Example occupations:

  • Architect
  • Architectural technician
  • Structural Engineer
  • Building Services Engineer

Procure

People who procure products involved in passive fire protection, or those who procure specialist contractors to carry out passive fire protection work.

Example occupations:

  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Procurement specialist

Sell & distribute

Those involved in making available passive fire protection products in the market, either in a manufacturer or in the supply chain as a distributor or retailer.

Example occupations:

  • Manufacturer sales agent
  • Distributor sales specialist
  • Distributor counter staff

Install

Those involved with installing passive fire protection products and systems into new or existing buildings.

Example occupations:

  • Installer
  • Installation supervisor
  • Project Manager

Inspect

Those who inspect installations (not necessarily the entire building) for suitability and performance of the passive fire protection.

Example occupations:

  • Internal inspector
  • External inspector
  • Certification body inspector

Maintain

Those who maintain passive fire protection in existing buildings, or add passive fire protection when making changes to a building.

Example occupations:

  • Installer
  • Installation supervisor

Own / occupy

Representatives of those who control a building, either as owner occupier, owner / managing agent for a building, leaseholder etc.

Example occupations:

  • Receptionist
  • Facilities Manager
  • Building Manager
  • Owner
Design & specify

The design & specify domain includes activities that are related to the incorporation of passive fire protection into the design of buildings. This includes creating the initial design, and also specifying products and services or in some cases making more complex engineering judgements related to a particular design.

Many of these activities will be undertaken by people whose core job role is not within passive fire protection, including architects and engineers who are undertaking building designs. In some cases people performing these activities may be specialists, potentially working for a manufacturer or supplier, or they may be members of the design team who have a particular focus in this area. In either case, these individuals are the ones undertaking design tasks, and the associated liability, with regards to passive fire protection.

The activities reflect the types of passive fire protection products or systems that may be designed, and also the engineering tasks associated with the use of products in different circumstances.

Activities that broadly involve making independent decisions or taking responsibility in broadly defined, complex contexts.
Senior level activities that involve critical analysis and evaluation of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the theories that underpin them.
Complex or strategic activities that inform the direction of the broader industry, including understanding the wider context and current developments, and producing change.
Design & specify
Procure

The produce domain is those activities involved in the procurement of passive fire protection products or services. These activities may be undertaken by procurement specialists, or by those undertaking design and specification activities.

These activities are those specific to passive fire protection, and do not include more general procurement functions. However, it is important that those undertaking procurement activities are aware of the nuances involved in passive fire protection, and the potential liabilities associated with procurement decisions.

Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Procure products to meet a specification
Activities that broadly involve making independent decisions or taking responsibility in broadly defined, complex contexts.
Ensure passive fire protection specifications are met during product procurement Select appropriate specialist installation contractors
Procure
Sell & distribute

The sell and distribute domain includes activities that are related to making available a passive fire protection system in the market, including the activities of any distributors, wholesalers and retailers of these products. Much of this domain is focussed on ensuring there is suitable product information and advice, and it is particularly relevant to the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI).

These activities are those specific to passive fire protection, and do not include more general sales or logistics functions. As such, these activities are likely to be undertaken by people in a wide range of occupations that are primarily focussed in other specialisms. Some will be employed by passive fire protection manufacturers or consultants, but many will be undertaken by those in less specialist organisations such as wholesalers.

Activities are designed to cover a broad spectrum of roles, from those who circulate published product information (employed either by a manufacturer or retailer), to those who develop or make engineering judgements about the performance of passive fire protection products.

Foundation, operational activities undertaken, supervised or unsupervised, within existing defined procedures.
Answer routine and well defined product queries Offer alternative products to meet a defined need
Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Answer complex product queries relating to fire protection to the structural frame Answer complex product queries relating to fire resistant walls, floors & ceilings Answer complex product queries relating to penetration and linear gap seals Answer complex product queries relating to cavity barriers for use in facades Answer complex product queries relating to large cavity barriers Answer complex product queries in relation to fire resisting ducts and dampers Answer complex product queries in relation to active fire curtains Answer complex product queries in relation to fire resisting doors, & associated hardware Answer complex product queries in relation to fire resisting glazing
Activities that broadly involve making independent decisions or taking responsibility in broadly defined, complex contexts.
Develop product marketing information for passive fire protection products Develop product technical information for passive fire protection products
Senior level activities that involve critical analysis and evaluation of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the theories that underpin them.
Review and signoff product marketing information Review and signoff product technical information
Sell & distribute
Install

The install domain includes all activities that are required to successfully install passive fire protection products and systems into buildings. This includes installation into new buildings on construction sites, installation during significant refurbishment or change of use, and the “making-good” of minor works such as firestopping new cable or plumbing connections.

In some cases these activities will form the core of a person’s job role. For example, a firestopping specialist installer might be expected to spend the majority of their time performing these activities on a day-to-day basis, perhaps being competent in a significant number of different techniques. However, there will also be a large number of people in related trades that undertake some passive fire protection installation activities as part of their ordinary roles. Examples may include dedicated trades also firestopping installations following minor renovation works, those involved in a related installation (such as HVAC ducting) fitting passive fire protection as a part of their role, or managers overseeing passive fire as well as more general activity.

As well as the physical installation activities, carried out by specific installers and supervisors, this domain includes more advanced activities normally undertaken by project managers or product specialists, specifically as they pertain to installation work.

Foundation, operational activities undertaken, supervised or unsupervised, within existing defined procedures.
Install fire resisting dampers Install fire resisting ductwork systems Install smoke control ductwork systems Install smoke rated fire resisting dampers Install smoke control dampers
Install dry cladding to protect structural steel Apply thin film reactive coatings Apply non-reactive spray coatings
Erect fire resisting walls and wall linings Erect fire resisting ceiling systems Install fire resisting floors Install fire resisting external walls
Install fire resisting timber door assemblies and doorsets Install fire resisting shutters (e.g. roller shutters) Install fire & smoke curtains Install active fire curtains
Install fire resisting glazing
Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Select products for use in the installation of firestopping Allocate firestopping installation work
Activities that broadly involve making independent decisions or taking responsibility in broadly defined, complex contexts.
Report project information to certification body Sign off passive fire protection installations as complete and issue relevant documentation
Senior level activities that involve critical analysis and evaluation of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the theories that underpin them.
Manage and deliver contractual requirements regarding PFP / firestopping Seek advice from manufacturers on product variation
Complex or strategic activities that inform the direction of the broader industry, including understanding the wider context and current developments, and producing change.
Verify the application of firestopping products and seal design at the point of installation
Install
Inspect

The inspect domain contains activities related to the inspection of passive fire protection installations. This may be following completion or during the construction process, and includes multiple methods of inspection.

Inspections are frequently undertaken by dedicated inspectors, but these activities may be undertaken by those in more general roles (such as supervisors) in some scenarios. Inspectors may be internal to the organisation or from an external organisation, for example a client or building owner, or representing a certification body or building control authority. These activities relate only to the inspection of passive fire protection installations, not other aspects of installation or the inspection of a completed building.

As well as carrying-out the inspection on-site, activities are included to allow a complete inspection process to be completed, including reviewing and issuing inspection reports.

Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Carrry out visual inspection of passive fire installations Carry out invasive inspection of passive fire protection to the structural frame of a building Carry out invasive inspection of fire resistant floors, walls & ceilings Carry out invasive inspection of firestopping installations Carry out invasive inspection of cavity barriers Carry out invasive inspection of fire resisting ducts and dampers Report on site inspection
Activities that broadly involve making independent decisions or taking responsibility in broadly defined, complex contexts.
Review and issue site inspection reports
Inspect
Maintain

The maintain domain includes all activities that are required to successfully maintain passive fire protection products and systems in buildings after they have been installed. This includes installation into new buildings on construction sites, installation during significant refurbishment or change of use, and the “making-good” of minor works such as firestopping new cable or plumbing connections.

In some cases these activities will form the core of a person’s job role. For example, a firestopping specialist installer might be expected to spend the majority of their time performing these activities on a day-to-day basis, perhaps being competent in a significant number of different techniques. However, there will also be a large number of people in related trades that undertake some passive fire protection installation activities as part of their ordinary roles. Examples may include dedicated trades also making firestopping installations following minor renovation works, those involved in a related installation (such as HVAC ducting) fitting passive fire protection as a part of their role, or those maintaining other parts of the building fabric.

These activities are related to the physical installation activities, carried out by those undertaking remedial work. Where more involved changes are required, this is likely to be considered a new passive fire protection installation and activities are defined in the install domain.

Foundation, operational activities undertaken, supervised or unsupervised, within existing defined procedures.
Carry out remedial works to smoke control ductwork systems Record maintenance information on passive fire protection installations Carry out remedial works to fire resisting glazing Carry out remedial works to active fire curtains Carry out remedial works to fire and smoke curtains Carry out remedial works to fire resisting shutters Carry out remedial works to fire resisting timber door assemblies and doorsets Carry out remedial works to smoke control dampers Carry out remedial works to smoke rated fire resisting dampers Carry out remedial works to fire resisting dampers Carry out remedial works on dry cladding to structural steel Carry out remedial works to fire resisting ductwork systems Carry out remedial works to firestopping and penetration seals Carry out remedial works to flexible (non-mechanical) cavity barriers Carry out remedial works to fire resisting external walls Carry out remedial works to fire resisting floors Carry out remedial works to fire resisting ceiling systems Carry out remedial works to fire resisting walls and wall linings Carry out remedial works to non-reactive spray coatings Carry out remedial works to thin film reactive coatings
Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Select products for use in the maintenance of passive fire protection
Maintain
Own / occupy

The own / occupy domain includes activities that are expected to be performed by building owners, facilities managers, and end-users of buildings. This is separate to the activities of those directing involved in testing or maintenance.

Supervisory and independent activities that complete tasks and address problems that, while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
Produce review & inspection schedules for passive fire protection Monitor and control work of follow on trades
Own / occupy