Passive Fire Protection Awards winners announced by ASFP

Broadcaster, naturalist and marine biologist Monty Hall presented awards to the winners in each of the six categories, all of them recognising excellence within the passive fire protection industry.

The winner of the ASFP’s Installation of the Year Award was Optimum Drywall Systems for its SCCC-Grange University Hospital project. As one of the largest passive fire protection projects in the South West and Wales, this project presented many design challenges that were resolved with innovative solutions. It’s ample demonstration that a positive collaboration of design, client, supplier and installation professionals can be achieved.

The Passive Fire Protection Innovation of the Year Award was presented to Global HSE Solutions for its Independent Scrutineer Service. This monitors fire safety at the three gateways of construction: design, construction and pre-occupation. At each stage, Global HSE Solutions provides desktop analysis and site visits to ensure that all design and build details are compliant and that everything’s installed correctly. Evidential and auditable records are provided for the O&M manuals.

Neo Property Solutions received the ASFP’s Training and Development of the Year Award for its extensive programme of training activities delivered to numerous stakeholders. The business has demonstrated its commitment to its staff and the wider community by developing passive fire protection knowledge, with significant investment in training initiatives. In the past year, Neo Property Solutions has delivered over 4,729 hours (197 days) of training, while also evolving career development and apprenticeship programmes.

Bringing Trade Associations together

Joe Cilia, technical director of the Finishes and Interiors Sector, was awarded the Advocate of the Year accolade for his work in bringing together several industry Trade Associations, including the ASFP, to develop the Guide to the Fire Stopping of Service Penetrations: Best Practice in Design and Installation.

This document aims to assist in the design, specification and installation of building services penetrations through fire compartment walls and floors in new buildings to ensure that fire compartmentation is maintained.

The Individual Rising Star of the Year Award, which recognises those earmarked as future industry leaders, is Kieran Carlisle of Checkmate Fire. Carlisle joined the business as a graduate in 2017 and has quickly developed a sound technical knowledge. Having taken advantage of all of the training opportunities available to him in order to expand his knowledge of the passive fire protection industry, Carlisle has been rewarded by receiving a quick succession of role promotions.

The Lifetime Contribution Award was posthumously bestowed upon Jim O’Hagen of Structural Fireproofing Systems, a hugely respected stalwart of the industry who died last year. O’Hagen was a pioneer of the nascent fireproofing industry in the 1970s, eventually establishing Structural Fireproofing Systems in the early 1990s. Forging a lifelong association with the ASFP, O’Hagen served on the organisation’s Council, always striving to improve standards in the industry. The award recognises his huge contribution to both the ASFP and the wider passive fire industry in general.

Highlighting excellence

ASFP CEO Steve Davies has offered his congratulations to all of the shortlisted individuals and companies.

“The ASFP’s Passive Fire Protection Awards highlight excellence in passive fire protection and reward those who contribute towards the advancement of the sector,” explained Davies. “I would like to congratulate all of the winners who proved their expertise and value. I must also thank everyone who entered on the basis that the very high standard and the variety of nominations has served to demonstrate the outstanding achievements, expertise, professionalism and commitment of our members.”

Davies added: “After the challenges we’ve faced throughout the pandemic, the 2021 Passive Fire Protection Awards were particularly poignant, marking the huge achievements of ASFP members and the passive fire protection industry as a whole when it comes to innovative new projects right through to incredible individuals.”

The ASFP was formed in 1975 in recognition of a need to bring together passive fire protection manufacturers, contractors and testing/certification bodies to encourage, develop and deliver guidance on essential standards in passive fire protection.

The ASFP both serves and represents the needs of its members and the wider passive fire protection industry by raising standards and competence through training, testing, certification and quality of installation and maintenance.

The organisation aims to advance knowledge and guidance on all aspects of ‘built-in’ fire protection, provide technical support and impartial advice, lead on regulatory and behavioural change as an independent authority and also improve competence and quality through training.

*For further information on the work of the ASFP and for Best Practice advice on passive fire protection visit www.asfp.org.uk