ASFP signs agreement for new branches in New Zealand and Australia

The branches will follow the operational model of that in Great Britain and Ireland, affording ASFP New Zealand and Australia the benefit of 50 years’ worth of skills, knowledge and experience, albeit adapted for their individual markets by the members of the respective branches.

The setting up of the branches will also improve this complex area of the design and construction chain for all wider stakeholders, from principal designers and contractors to engineers, products, testing and certification, installation and post-occupation trades and the service providers of remedial and retrospective work, as well as those signing-off on completed buildings and/or work(s).

In addition to the technical elements, the new branches will offer comprehensive training courses, both online and, through time, in the face-to-face format.

Commitment, time and effort

Paul Ryan commented: “Having spent most of my career in the passive fire protection profession in Britain, the Middle East and finally New Zealand, I know how important passive fire protection is to the overall design and construction application. If it’s not designed right, it will not be procured and installed correctly.”

Ryan continued: “It has taken a lot of commitment, time and effort to reach this agreement, with a few wobbly moments along the way, but we all wanted the right thing to happen in the right way for the greater good. It’s going to be exciting times evolving the ASFP in new markets, but I know I have the full backing and support from the team in Britain. This is a great moment for passive fire in New Zealand and Australia, with building design, construction and occupant safety being the ultimate winners.”

There will be a progressive transition of information from the ASFP in Britain to the new branch. It’s expected that initial membership uptake will be high, allowing for the formation of the recognisable ASFP Technical Groups, leading to the adaptation of some of the ASFP’s famous ‘Colour Book’ publications.

Monumental moment

Mike Ward, managing director of the ASFP, stated: “This is a monumental moment for the global passive fire protection community. Many designers, engineers, principal contractors, testing and certification members and product manufacturers operate outside of Britain and Ireland. By creating a global passive fire community, it supports those members as well as new members who may use those products and services or have their own. It closes the circle of the relationship and creates continuity in the language of Best Practice.”

Further, Ward explained: “We hope to set up additional ASFP branches in other parts of the world. This is just the start. Beyond this, we are also looking at how the ASFP can engage and collaborate with our passive fire peers around the world. We may have different standards and codes, but Best Practice is a universal language.”

In her first year as ASFP chair, Sharon McClure of Avesta Scotland informed Fire Safety Matters: “You always want to leave a legacy of your role as chair behind. The team have worked really hard in bringing this together. The ASFP team and my predecessor Clive Miles can be really proud of themselves as I am of them. I’m certain there are some great times ahead.”