Fire Industry Association publishes Annual Report for 2024

Reflecting on the last 12 months, the Trade Association’s mission to uphold the highest standards of fire safety through education, technical expertise and collaboration has never been more important.

As fire safety challenges continue to evolve, the FIA remains at the forefront, driving the industry forward by promoting greater accountability and advocating for enhanced safety regulations.

The latest findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry have reinforced the need for stronger fire safety standards and, in response, the FIA has ramped up its efforts to influence policy changes and raise the bar for competency across the sector.

Realigned operations

This year, the organisation realigned its operations to better support these efforts, enhancing key areas such as marketing, technology, membership and training. The newly opened Northern hub in Northwich, Cheshire has been a cornerstone of this growth. The hub includes a state-of-the-art training and event centre alongside a ‘Centre of Excellence’ that allows members to showcase their products and systems in a cutting-edge environment.

On an international scale, the Trade Association established FIA Cyprus in October last year, introducing the new strand with a Fire Summit. The success of this event, which brought together 15 FIA member companies from the UK, has paved the way for future international expansions. The initiative represents the FIA’s commitment to spreading Best Practice in fire safety beyond the UK, ensuring that standards are elevated on a global scale.

Training and education

Training has been a standout success in 2024. The FIA has trained over 6,000 delegates, which represents a 26.9% increase from the previous year and reflects the organisation’s dedication to delivering world-class education. The aforementioned Northwich ‘Centre of Excellence’ has been central to this, offering practical and hands-on experience that sets the FIA’s training apart.

The FIA has also launched new courses, among them ‘Fire Safety Awareness of Lithium-Ion Batteries’, purpose-designed to address critical industry issues.

Looking ahead, the introduction of the FIA’s Fire Risk Assessment course and the development of the Hampton practical training facility will keep the organisations firmly at the forefront of fire safety education.

Focus on membership

Membership growth has also been significant, with 159 new companies joining the FIA’s community. That’s a 63% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by the tangible value FIA membership offers, from high-quality training through to the ability to assist in shaping industry standards. The FIA’s 92.5% membership retention rate “speaks volumes” about the satisfaction and benefits members experience.

In parallel, the FIA’s technical leadership has continued to influence the industry, with its Technical Councils and Working Groups driving key conversations around standards, regulations and Best Practice. The organisation has made progress in aligning its training with updated regulations such as BS 5839-1, thereby ensuring that its education programmes remain the gold standard for fire safety professionals.

The FIA has commented: “As we move forward, we remain grateful for the support of our members and partners, who enable us to push the boundaries of fire safety. Together, we are navigating a period of great change with optimism, knowing that the FIA is poised to lead the industry into a safer and more competent future.”