Policy Manifesto 2026-2027 published by Fire Protection Association

Building on last year’s objectives, the Policy Manifesto continues the FPA’s commitment to “protecting people, property and the UK environment, while enabling innovation in the construction and property sectors without compromising fire safety”.

Through the 15-page document, the FPA is calling on Government, regulators and industry stakeholders to work together on delivering meaningful change across the built environment.

Policy priorities

The Policy Manifesto sets out five policy priorities designed to strengthen fire and building safety across the UK, while in parallel supporting innovation in construction, property and sustainable technologies.

The 2026-2027 policies are as follows:

*mandate qualified and accredited fire risk assessment for medium-risk and high-risk buildings

*modernise competence requirements for safety-critical built environment roles

*strengthen construction products-focused regulation and cladding system testing

*mandate sprinkler protection in all new and refurbished schools

*improve fire safety standards for building-mounted solar installations

In calling for the introduction of mandatory qualifications and accreditation for those carrying out fire risk assessments in medium-risk and high-risk buildings, the FPA argues that fire risk assessments are a fundamental element of effective fire safety management and should only be undertaken by competent professionals operating under recognised certification schemes.

The Policy Manifesto states that Government should “move beyond voluntary uptake and mandate qualified and accredited providers for medium-risk and high-risk buildings, while requiring all assessors to adopt the latest standards immediately, regardless of building risk profile”.

Competence requirements

Alongside reform of fire risk assessor competency, the FPA is also calling for broader changes to competence requirements across safety-critical roles in the built environment. The organisation wants to see mandatory competence verification, registration and Continuing Professional Development requirements introduced for professionals including fire engineers, structural engineers, construction managers and fire risk assessors.

According to the Policy Manifesto: “Safer buildings require a competent workforce at every stage of a building’s lifecycle: from design and construction through to occupation and management.” It adds that greater emphasis is needed on “independent verification, mandatory registration, enforcement against poor practice and creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals capable of supporting future building safety demands”.

Construction products and cladding systems also feature prominently within the Policy Manifesto’s programme, with the FPA urging Government to accelerate construction product reform, clarify future regulatory requirements and strengthen testing standards for external wall systems.

The Policy Manifesto highlights the importance of ensuring that “products and systems perform as intended in real-world conditions” and proposes retaining non-combustible cladding requirements for buildings over 18 metres in height, while allowing innovation in medium-rise buildings through “rigorous full-scale testing of complete façade systems rather than relying solely on component-level assessments”.

Education infrastructure

Education infrastructure continues on from last year’s Policy Manifesto as a key area of focus. The FPA is renewing its long-standing call for automatic sprinkler system protection to be mandated in all new schools and major refurbishment projects in England, bringing requirements into line with those already in place in Scotland and Wales.

The Policy Manifesto notes that: “Schools are critical assets whose loss extends far beyond the physical building, impacting childhood education, families and local communities.” The FPA argues that sprinklers provide “proven life safety and property protection benefits, reducing disruption to education, protecting public investment and improving community resilience”.

Reflecting the growing importance of renewable technologies, the final policy priority addresses fire safety standards for building-mounted solar systems. The FPA is calling for the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework covering the design, installation, inspection, maintenance and fire performance of roof-mounted and building-integrated solar systems.

The Policy Manifesto warns that poorly designed or installed solar systems can create “significant fire and property resilience risks” and states that Government should establish clear requirements to manage concerns around fire ignition, electrical faults, installation quality and the wider impact of rooftop fires as solar deployment continues to expand across the UK.

Through these five priorities, the FPA is seeking to drive further improvements in competence, regulation, resilience and innovation, thereby helping to ensure that fire safety remains central to the future of the built environment.

*Copies of the FPA’s 2026-2027 Policy Manifesto are available to view online