As we approach the release of another NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety and the FSC2 practical, the team at RRC has been reviewing advice to help prevent common mistakes made when writing the practical element (FSC2).
How to Prepare for Your NEBOSH Fire Safety Practical (FSC2)
Firstly, give yourself headspace, get in the zone and make time to complete the practical. This is not something that can be done on a Sunday morning.
Ensure your location is spacious enough to cover all areas; this will help you attract the highest number of marks.
Gather the necessary evidence and then sit back to complete the template. It’s OK if your workplace looks bad on paper. NEBOSH are not judging you, but they want to see how you will address these issues when you pass.
Use NEBOSH FSC2 Examples and Guidance Documents
Have the FSC2 practical example and the provider’s syllabus to hand to use. Use the NEBOSH FSC2 example as a rough guide; you can do better https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/certificate-in-fire-safety/#resources
I would also suggest having the FSC2 guidance for learning partners and learners readily available, as it provides vital tips on what to include in the practical: https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/certificate-in-fire-safety/#resources
FSC2 Part 1: How to Describe Your Workplace
You must include enough detail in this so that the examiner can visualise the location and get a good feel of what is going on.
You don’t have to measure the floor space, but ask and get a general idea of the size. Describe what the building is made of.
A common sticking point is the layout of the building, which describes the internal corridors, rooms, fire doors, and exits. The examiner needs to be able to visualise your workplace through your words.
FSC2 Part 2: How to Answer Yes/No Questions Effectively
The dreaded Yes/No boxes: this is not an area to scrimp on. Does regular inspection and testing take place for electrical equipment (both portable and fixed)? Now I could say yes, but this is what the examiner is looking for.
If so, then you need to review the policy and inspection regime in place, including reference dates on plugs or equipment, the company responsible for inspecting the electrical equipment, and the next scheduled service date.
If it’s a ‘No’, then refer to why this is not in place and how long the electrical equipment has been outdated. Look for policies that are out of date and review the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to see what has been contravened. Refer to the last testing date and indicate whether it was conducted on portable or fixed equipment.
If it’s a yes, tell them as much as you can; if it’s a no, tell them why it’s a No and add details.
Using the FSC2 Continuation Table Correctly
You can use this section to add any issues or further information that you feel have not been covered adequately in the previous questions.
Important: Do not add anything in this table that has not previously been mentioned in section 2.
FSC2 Part 3: Identifying Issues and Writing Strong Justifications
You need 10 clearly identified issues to make them distinct and avoid blurring together. This is your time to demonstrate that you have understood the lessons and can spot 10 solid issues that could cause problems.
A common fault is that NEBOSH requires you to present your moral, legal, and financial arguments in this section (justification). There are three cornerstones of any justification argument: Moral, Legal and financial.
It is beneficial when going through the justification to use all three areas of this wherever possible. This will demonstrate that you have considered legal compliance, are acting morally to ensure safety, and are addressing the issue to ensure a sound cost-benefit analysis. All identified issues should, where possible, be reduced to ALARP.
Setting Realistic Review Dates in the FSC2 Assessment
People often falter with review dates, either making them unrealistic or too long. This must be realistic; if the issue is huge, like a gas leak, then it should be a short space of time, i.e., 1 day. If the issue is related to training, then you have to consider how long this will take, i.e., 3 months. The examiner will be assessing your application of knowledge to ensure you understand the hazards and risks, and that you can allocate a reasonable amount of time to complete tasks.
FSC2 Part 4: Reviewing Your Fire Risk Assessment
You decide when the risk assessment will be reviewed; don’t leave it too long but give people sufficient time to complete and close actions. Look at the times you have allocated in section 3. If the longest time is 6 months, then you cannot review any earlier than that.
Final Tips for NEBOSH Fire Safety Practical Success
Lastly, from all of us at RRC, good luck, and the devil is in the details. Give the examiner something to bite on; detail and explanation are my watchwords for this. Make the examiner see your workplace through your detail and demonstrate that you can apply the principles that you learned in FSC1.
Peter Reed CMIOSH, FIIRSM, MISEP (formerly IEMA) CEnv, FInstLM, GiFE
RRC Tutor