Fire Engineers Advisory Panel Issues Authoritative Statement On Profession Reform

The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) has released a new policy paper presenting the authoritative statement from the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel (FEAP) on the future of the fire engineering profession. The statement outlines the skills, knowledge, and responsibilities expected of fire engineers, supporting the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendation that the profession be formally regulated.

Background

The Fire Engineers Advisory Panel, established in April 2025, provides expert and academic guidance on fire engineering. Its authoritative statement, published alongside the government’s third progress report on Inquiry Phase 2, sets out a vision for a regulated, accountable profession designed to restore public trust and improve safety in the built environment.

While not a detailed competency framework, the statement provides a coherent guide for regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. It encourages the profession to strengthen its ethical standards and competencies ahead of legal regulation.

Key concerns

The Grenfell Inquiry highlighted that fire engineering lacks a consistent educational foundation, uniform entry requirements, and sufficient focus on ethical practice. Professional roles are often fragmented and undervalued within multidisciplinary teams, creating potential risks to public safety.

Panel recommendations

The statement emphasizes that fire engineers should have a protected title with statutory restrictions on its use. Legally defined responsibilities would cover the full building lifecycle—from design and construction to operation, ongoing use, and eventual decommissioning. Core duties include planning, designing, advising, supervising, and managing buildings using fire engineering principles.

Competent fire engineers must possess technical knowledge across disciplines, including fire dynamics, human behaviour, building systems, and prevention measures. The Panel recommends a combination of accredited education and supervised professional experience, followed by professional registration. Ongoing competence must be maintained through continuing professional development (CPD) and adherence to a robust code of conduct.

The statement also calls for basic fire safety competencies for allied professionals such as architects, civil and structural engineers, building services engineers, and fire risk assessors. It encourages expanding the definition of buildings requiring fire safety strategies and introducing periodic reviews during a building’s occupation.

Next steps

MHCLG plans to regulate the title and functions of fire engineers, with a public consultation scheduled for 2026. Further work includes defining statutory functions, clarifying accountabilities, and deciding on a regulatory home responsible for:

• Setting and maintaining competency and ethical standards

• Accrediting education programmes and routes to registration

• Maintaining a public register of fire engineers

• Monitoring compliance and overseeing professional discipline

A transitional board will guide early stages of reform, comprising experienced regulators, professional body representatives, and expert advisers.

MHCLG said:

“The government is committed to a clear, robust, and modernised regulatory framework for fire engineering that strengthens public safety, supports a highly skilled profession, and responds to the lessons of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

The Authoritative Statement and the next steps document mark the start of a partnership between government, industry, regulators, and higher education to build a fire engineering profession equipped for the future.

A Fire Protection Association Report

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