• Locations

  City of London, London

• Salary

  £51753 - £53301 per annum + xcellent pension and holidays

• Sector

  Construction, Property & Engineering, Health & Safety

• Type

  Permanent

The University Safety Office provides high-quality professional health and safety advisory service to enable the work activities of City St George’s, University of London to be carried out safely and effectively whilst also enabling the demonstration of statutory compliance. The Safety Office operates in a diverse and complex estate, comprising academic and research buildings, student halls of residence, listed buildings, and interlinked facilities with varying occupancy profiles and risk levels.

The Lead Fire Safety Adviser is a senior member of the University’s Safety Office and supports the Head of Occupational Health and Safety in delivering a proactive, compliant, and institution-wide fire safety strategy. The post holder is responsible for providing expert ‘competent person’ advice in relation to fire safety legislation, policy implementation, risk control, and compliance monitoring across all City St George’s campuses, buildings and sites. The Lead Fire Safety Adviser will lead on the development of fire prevention and protection arrangements and provide specialist advice. This includes conducting and reviewing fire risk assessments; overseeing the design, specification and monitoring of passive and active fire systems; and ensuring the effective delivery of fire safety training and emergency evacuation procedures.

The post holder will provide specialist advice and guidance to staff and students across all academic and residential buildings on City St Geroge’s sites, including spaces shared with the NHS Trust and other thirdparty occupants/tenants. This includes the management of the University’s fire risk assessment programme for the complex research and academic multi-occupant buildings, sleeping accommodation and the formulation of fire safety strategies, policies, and procedures, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of the University and changes in legislation.

1. Main Responsibilities * Lead on the development, implementation, and continuous review of the University’s fire safety policy, management arrangements, associated procedures, and fire risk assessment framework, ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. * Develop, implement, and review emergency evacuation plans for all University buildings, ensuring they are effective, inclusive, and regularly tested. * Provide specialist fire safety advice across a range of University activities, including events, experimental work, laboratories, workshops, sleeping accommodations, and other higher-risk operations and environments. * Build collaborative and effective working relationships with Deans, Professional Service Directors (PSDs), and other key stakeholders to maintain a fire-safe working environment. * Manage the University’s network of fire wardens/marshals, evacuation coordinators, and evacuation chair operators, ensuring appropriate training and coverage are in place. * Lead the development and implementation of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for staff and students with mobility or other accessibility needs, ensuring legal compliance and operational effectiveness. * Plan, coordinate, and conduct termly fire evacuation drills, producing reports on performance and recommending improvements where required. * Monitor and review high-risk fire safety issues, such as the storage and use of flammable substances, including petrol, solvents, and chemicals, ensuring appropriate controls are in place. * Advise the University on the specification, installation, and maintenance of appropriate fire safety systems, including both passive and active fire protection measures. * Advise EEF Team to ensure that they organise appropriate testing of all fire safety equipment and that there are adequate monitoring and recording mechanisms in place. This will include advising EEF on suitability of external contractors and consultants who undertake works on behalf of City St George’s in relation to standards of work / approaches to ensuring systems are adequately maintained and works recorded.

2. Fire safety policy, associated procedures and guidance * To develop, revise and update the fire safety policy, including the preparation of associated procedures, guidance, and forms, by engaging stakeholders and using appropriate consultation routes; ensuring they are disseminated to Deans and Professional Service Directors. * Advise on and ensure that local fire safety procedures developed by Schools and Professional Services are aligned with the University’s central policies and procedures. * Advise on the fire safety aspects of procedures for dealing with emergencies, such as spillages, chemical and biological exposures, and radiation incidents, in conjunction with Safety Liaison Officers and Principal Investigators.

3. Fire Risk Assessments * Develop and implement an annual Fire Risk Assessment programme across all City St George’s sites (including student halls and nominated residences), ensuring the systematic review and maintenance of up-to-date, compliant documentation. * Conduct comprehensive fire risk assessments, including those required under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR), across the University estate; prepare detailed reports, prioritise action plans, and monitor the timely implementation of corrective measures. * Establish and maintain fire risk assessments for refurbishment works, building alterations, construction activities, and high-risk operations, ensuring alignment with building-specific fire strategies and broader University fire safety objectives.

4. Reports and Papers * Prepare regular fire safety performance reports, including data analysis and incident trends, for Safety Liaison Officers (SLOs), Departmental Safety Liaison Officers (DSLOs), the University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee (HSWC), and its sub-committees. * Undertake an annual review of fire safety risks and the effectiveness of fire safety management systems; produce and present an annual fire safety report to the University HSWC. * Lead the annual review and revision of the University’s Fire Safety Policy, ensuring it aligns with City St George’s strategic objectives and complies with relevant statutory requirements. * Produce and update fire evacuation procedures, fire safety inspection reports, and the University’s fire risk register to ensure effective emergency preparedness and ongoing compliance. * Maintain up-to-date training and competency records for Fire Wardens, Evacuation Coordinators, and Evacuation Chair Operators, ensuring adequate coverage and refresher training across all sites.

5. Support for Schools, Estates, Environment and Facilities (EEF) and other Professional Services areas * Provide operational fire safety support to Deans, Directors, Principal Investigators, SLOs, and DSLOs, particularly in closing out fire risk assessment actions and implementing control measures. * Work closely with Estates, Environment and Facilities (EEF) on emergency evacuation systems, fire compartmentation, fire risk assessments, and building fire strategies. * Ensure fire safety is embedded in all construction, refurbishment, and maintenance projects by attending project meetings as the University’s Fire Safety Subject Matter Expert. * Collaborate with EEF teams, architects, fire engineers, and external consultants to integrate fire safety requirements into project designs. * Liaise with Capital Projects and internal stakeholders to ensure fire safety is considered during the planning and design of all works. * Advise on active and passive fire protection systems, ensuring compliance without overspecification. * Review and comment on fire strategies and design documents; annotate drawings to highlight key fire safety features such as compartmentation, cavity barriers, and alarm systems. * Specify and agree fire-fighting equipment and signage in line with statutory and project requirements. * Monitor fire safety implementation across capital and maintenance projects, ensuring compliance and promoting continuous improvement. * Alert the Head of Occupational Health and Safety and the Director of EEF to any significant fire safety issues impacting compliance. * Conduct inspections during key construction phases, particularly where works affect occupied areas or escape routes.

6. Fire Safety Related Incidents investigation and prevention * To investigate all fire-related incidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences throughout the University, to determine the causes, prepare and produce a fire investigation report containing recommendations to minimise the risk of personal injury, fire and damage to property. * Interview and take statements of staff, student and others who have suffered an injury, and those who have witnessed an incident or been involved in some way. * To liaise with all parties’ i.e. University’s insurance team, University legal team, London Fire Authority. HSE and or other enforcement agencies in respect of investigating claims for industrial injuries. * Track all related recommendations and actions arising out of a fire investigation. * Identify fire incident trends; incorporate fire analysis in the fire reports to the HSWC.

7. Liaison with the enforcement agencies, statutory licences and notification * To Liaise with London Fire and Rescue Service, Building Safety regulator, Local Authorities, Approved Inspectors and other external agencies concerning fire related issues and to communicate the University’s intentions and arrangements in respect of fire safety. * To ensure that the necessary statutory licences relating to aspects of the University’s activities are obtained, maintain, updated and that all statutorily licenses requiring notification are submitted. * Meet with the London Fire Brigade and attend an annual liaison meeting to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding with the Fire Authority regarding enforcement matters, including arrangements for familiarisation and liaison visits throughout the year.

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