IDR (Designated Responsible Individual)

A Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) is a defined role within passive fire protection governance responsible for ensuring that passive fire protection systems are correctly selected, detailed, installed, and documented in accordance with tested system approvals, building regulations, and the fire safety strategy.

The DRI provides the technical oversight and continuity required to maintain compartmentation performance throughout design and construction. This role ensures that passive fire protection is treated as a core safety system, not an afterthought.

Why the DRI Role is Critical

Passive fire protection systems can fail not because they are missing, but because they are installed incorrectly or substituted without reference to tested evidence. The DRI prevents these issues by ensuring:

Passive fire protection requirements are identified early in design
Approved details follow tested and certified system listings
Service penetrations, joints, and interfaces are sealed correctly
Changes on site are controlled and approved, not improvised
Documentation and inspection records are complete and traceable

This ensures that fire-rated compartmentation performs as intended in the event of fire.

Responsibilities of the Designated Responsible Individual

The DRI typically:

Reviews architectural, structural, and services drawings to confirm passive fire details are coordinated
Selects system solutions that match the tested scope of application
Verifies installation quality through site inspections
Identifies and documents non-conformities and required corrective actions
Maintains a project-wide passive fire protection log and handover documentation
Coordinates between design teams, contractors, and specialist installers
Ensures passive fire measures remain visible and auditable across the project lifecycle

The DRI is the single point of accountability for passive fire performance.

Integration with ISO 17020 Third Party Inspection

At Vortex Fire, the DRI role is supported and strengthened by our status as an ISO 17020 accredited independent inspection body.

This ensures that all inspection and verification work is:

Independent (no product supply or installation involvement)
Evidence based and benchmarked against tested listings
Documented in a format recognised by Civil Defence and approval authorities
Consistent and repeatable across contractors and project phases

ISO 17020 accreditation provides assurance that our inspection decisions are technically valid, impartial, and defensible.

Competency Requirements for DRI Practice

A Designated Responsible Individual must have:

Strong knowledge of tested and listed passive fire systems
Understanding of fire resistance ratings and regulatory requirements
Experience coordinating across disciplines and trades
Ability to evaluate substitutions and installation variations
Skills in quality assurance, documentation, and reporting
Commitment to fire safety and occupant protection outcomes

This ensures passive fire protection is designed correctly, installed correctly, and performs correctly.

Outcome for Clients and Building Owners

Appointing a DRI ensures:

Compliance is proactive, not reactive
Rework, delays, and authority rejection risks are reduced
Systems are verifiably installed in accordance with their tested approvals
The building’s fire strategy remains intact and reliable
Occupant safety and business continuity are better protected