At Ashton Fire, we take great pride in our team of specialists, whose outstanding expertise and varied experiences are key to elevating the standards of our fire safety services.
Today, we’re spotlighting Rachel Dobson, our Associate Director, who brings a wealth of experience from the property and asset management sector to our team.
Q: Rachel, could you tell us about your background and how it informs your work at Ashton Fire?
Rachel: I have been in the fire safety industry for over 20 years, working in the retail, facilities management and property and assessment management. Before joining Ashton Fire, I was Head of Health & Safety and Fire Safety for a large property management company, which involved supporting and advising property managers and the wider business to ensure the buildings we managed were safe for all who occupied them. Not only did I work with internal colleagues, such as the Shareholders, Directors, Property Teams, Mobilisation and Compliance teams, but I also had the privilege of working closely with resident-led organisations, such as Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and Right to Manage Companies (RTM) as well as Leaseholders, Building Owners, and Developers. This experience has given me a unique perspective on the challenges these groups face, especially when it comes to fire safety.
Q: What key challenges do building owners and resident-led organisations face regarding fire and building safety?
Rachel: Understanding the evolving landscape of fire safety regulations is a significant challenge. There’s a lot to keep up with, from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to the recent Building Safety Act. Not only do resident-led organisations and building owners need to be aware of their responsibilities for building management and maintenance, along with compliance with duties under the lease, but as an Accountable Person or Principal Accountable Person under the Building Safety Act, they need to be aware of the range of statutory requirements imposed on them and have plans in place to ensure building safety.
Q: How does Ashton Fire support clients in navigating these challenges?
Rachel: We offer comprehensive support, focusing on the assessment and management of safety risks. Our services include fire risk assessments, retrospective fire strategies and compartmentation surveys, and guidance on the Golden Thread of Information, which is crucial for managing fire and structural risks and forms part of the safety case, a key focus of Principal Accountable Persons now. We also assist with mandatory occurrence reporting frameworks and resident engagement strategies, which will form part of the Building Assessment Certificate application.
Q: What about the role of the Managing Agent?
Rachel: Managing Agents are appointed by the building owner or resident-led organisation to run and manage the building and services in accordance with the terms of the lease and statutory requirements on their behalf. The services provided by the Managing Agent will be covered within the Management Agreement, and duties include areas relating to finance, lease compliance, leaseholder relationships, repair and maintenance, day-to-day health & safety and fire safety compliance and repairs and maintenance. While many resident-led organisations and building owners rely on Managing Agents for support, it’s crucial to understand that not all Managing Agents have the necessary skill set or insurance to provide comprehensive advice when it comes to fire safety. That’s why many of our clients not only come to Ashton Fire for advice and support, but we are finding more requests for auditing services to monitor the effectiveness and competency of their Managing Agents.
Q: What sets Ashton Fire apart in this field?
Rachel: We have a team of highly skilled Fire Safety Consultants and Fire Engineers. Our holistic approach allows us to deliver pragmatic solutions tailored to specific client needs across all sectors and stages of building life, from design to occupation and the ongoing management of a building.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
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