Fire Engineers Advisory Panel

The Fire Engineers Advisory Panel is an expert advisory panel established in April 2025 to provide advice to government on the fire engineering profession, it was established in response to the recommendations of the Phase 2 report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The panel has been asked to consider what should be expected of a competent fire engineer, and in addition, support and advise on the implementation of other Grenfell Inquiry recommendations in respect of fire engineers. The Inquiry recommended it produce an Authoritative Statement of the knowledge and skills to be expected of a competent fire engineer, as part of the overarching recommendation that fire engineers should become a regulated profession. Aside from this primary aim, the panel was also asked to look at the wider context of the fire engineering profession, including education, role and responsibilities, behaviours, experience and skills. The panel is made up of Ms Alexandra Parish (Chair, MHCLG), Professor Luke Bisby , Mr Jim Fitzpatrick , Dr Vasilis Koutsomarkos , Dr Barbara Lane, Mr Neil O’Connor , Dr Michael Spearpoint and Professor Jose Torero.

On 17 December 2025 the 'Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement' was published by the government. In its statement the panel said it had: "grounded its work in a respectful acknowledgment of the devastating loss of life at Grenfell Tower and the profound societal impact that the tragedy continues to have. It does not prescribe a competency framework or detailed standards but aims to:

• present a coherent and positive vision for the future state of the regulated fire engineering profession and those who work in it
• provide a guide for any future regulatory body, education institution delivering accredited fire engineering qualifications and other stakeholders in the fire safety sector
• steer the fire engineering profession to take proactive steps to consider and strengthen its own competencies and ethics ahead of the introduction of legal requirements, including the regulation of title and function

Through the Panel’s research and engagement with stakeholders, there has been broad consensus that the approach set out is sensible, urgently required and challenging to achieve. The Panel recognises that delivering the intent set out within this statement, alongside the wider recommendations of the Inquiry, is a long-term endeavour that requires careful phasing and prioritisation. The government’s plans to achieve this are set out in the Next Steps document which accompanies this statement."

The statement goes on to describe the current state of affairs with a Problem Statement, the definition of a fire engineer ("Fire engineers are professionals who develop and deliver engineering solutions that protect people and mitigate harm to the built and natural environment in the event of fire.Future Regulation, The core function of a fire engineer: the fire safety strategy"), their professional, legal and contractual responsibilities, their attributes (skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours) and how it will go about implementing its Statement via priorities and Next Steps. The statement can be read in full here 'Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement'.

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