MARKING THE beginning of Fire Door Safety Week 2026 (which runs from 21-25 September), new research conducted by the British Woodworking Federation has revealed a dangerous misconception among younger adults about how fire doors work, in turn raising “serious concerns” about public safety in the buildings they use every day.

[Read More]

BASED AT its site in Oldbury in the West Midlands, waste and recycling business Fire Protection Recycling Limited has been fined after employee Craig Pearson was killed while discharging a fire extinguisher.

[Read More]

WESTERN BUSINESS Media – the publisher of Fire Safety Matters – has announced that the registration process is now open for the inaugural edition of Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland, the one-day conference and accompanying exhibition that’s taking place at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow on 26 November.

[Read More]

FIRE AND Rescue Services must learn from emergencies and disasters around the world before the same risks reach their own communities, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has stated following the conclusion of the World Fire Congress 2026.

[Read More]

THE FIRE Industry Association (FIA) has announced the publication of the 2026 Code of Practice for Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) systems, duly delivering the first full revision of this important industry guidance since 2012.

[Read More]

THE CONSTRUCTION Industry Council (CIC) is urging Government to work with the built environment professions to build competence and ensure the regulatory vision is both “proportionate and dynamic enough” to succeed.

[Read More]

THE BRITISH Standards Institution (BSI) has published a revised version of PAS 9980, the Code of Practice for the fire risk appraisal of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats. The document contains an updated risk-based methodology to support “more consistent and proportionate assessments” across the built environment.

[Read More]

BETWEEN 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026, a total of 730 risks secured insurance cover through the industry’s Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, reports the Association of British Insurers (ABI), at a total sum insured of £19.6 billion. This represents an increase from 703 risks in the previous year, reflecting the Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility’s continued growth and development.

[Read More]

THE OFFICE for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has published the UK National Action Plan in direct response to a European-wide review of fire protection at nuclear installations. This work is part of the second European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group’s Topical Peer Review (TPR2), with the subject of fire protection chosen due to its potential to challenge safety systems.

[Read More]

NEW REPORTS just published by the Government set out the final reflections from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor, while also outlining the current state of play in terms of progress realised against the recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

[Read More]

THE FIRE Industry Association (FIA) is introducing a new suite of FireQual regulated qualifications in fire risk assessment, providing industry professionals with qualifications at the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

[Read More]

FOLLOWING THE restructure of the BAFE Group, Dr Justin Maltby-Smith (Group CEO of BAFE Holdings) has spoken exclusively with Fire Safety Matters’ Editor Brian Sims to discuss the thinking behind the new operational model and proceeds to explain how this move will support a broader and more ambitious role for the organisation across the fire and life safety domains.

[Read More]

THE BAFE Group has announced a restructure of the organisation designed to better integrate the Group and strengthen its ability to support the life safety sector through an expected “period of change”.

[Read More]

BARONESS BLAKE of Leeds CBE – the Labour politician serving as a Life Peer in the House of Lords since 2021 – has been appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Resilience within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Baroness Blake’s appointment in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new administration was confirmed on 14 August.

[Read More]

THE BUILDING Safety Regulator’s (BSR) latest data covering the 12-week rolling period to 31 August shows overall Gateway 2 application approvals rising to 84% with more than 18,000 residential units clearing the process. Existing building remediation approvals climbed to 89% nationally (up from 85%) and 96% in London (up from 92%).

[Read More]

THE LONDON Fire Brigade (LFB) has completed all of the actions required of the capital’s dedicated Fire and Rescue Service in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, duly delivering further improvements to organisational learning, firefighter communications and training.

[Read More]

THE INSTITUTION of Fire Engineers (IFE) has launched a month-long campaign to help members and fire safety professionals alike discover the benefits of its redeveloped CPD Hub and reinforce the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

[Read More]

MILLIONS OF vulnerable individuals across the UK rely on home care technology such as telecare in order to live a safe and independent life, but fire chiefs are warning that increased usage of these services makes the safety of Technology Enabled Care (TEC) users a growing risk.

[Read More]

THE AIRPORT Fire Officers Association (AFOA) has issued details of the organisation’s upcoming 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Networking Lunch, both of which are scheduled to take place at the NEC in Birmingham during The Emergency Services Show and The Emergency Tech Show organised by Nineteen Group.

[Read More]

THE CHARTERED Institute of Building (CIOB) has issued a new guide purpose-designed to help construction clients better understand their responsibilities under the Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022.

[Read More]