Fire Risk Assessor in the frame

Fire investigation has for many years now been far more than only a matter of cause and origin. With the general increased awareness of the value of thorough and complete fire investigation its tentacles soon developed to include fire spread, materials, structure, systems, management and of course .... culpability.
The fire risk assessor from its beginnings, after the enactment of the Regulatory Reform Order, was regarded by many a a safe bet because the "Responsible Person" carried the can.
Safe from legal consequences perhaps but those who had had experience with the Coroners Courts were aware of the fact that the fire risk assessor was not so safe. The case at the link below is the first that I have seen where a fire risk assessor is named and effectively blamed.
It was only a matter of time.
From a fire investigators point of view a Fire Risk Assessor is just another contractor, designer, manufacturer or installer: If something he or she has done may have been a contributory factor then it will be duly noted and reported.
This is another example of how fire investigation closes the feedback loop into many branches of the fire safety industry. It is one of the key drivers in the identification of fault and the subsequent improvement of products and systems.
But what about the fire investigator? Are we not also possibly culpable? Of course we are. Our reports are often crucial in the actions taken by others. Actions that will cost other parties. Litigation is always potentially knocking on the door and where fire has been involved then there will probably be a fire investigator behind it.
Link:
http://idighardware.com/2014/05/coroner-open-fire-door-resulted-in-death/