Registration opens for Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland 2026

Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland is underpinned by an excellent conference programme accredited for Continuing Professional Development through the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM). At present, the day’s schedule features eight focused presentations (more will be added in due course) and concludes with a special Women in Fire Safety-focused discussion on what can be done to encourage more females to join the sector.

Register online for Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland 2026

The first session of the day begins at 9.30 am and features Lewis Ramsay (Group chief operating officer at BAFE Holdings). Since the publication of BS 8674:2025, there has been an increased interest in fire risk assessor competence requirements and how these may be specified and verified. As such, Ramsay examines the British Standard, the qualifications that have been mapped against it and, what’s more, how UKAS-accredited certification schemes will continue to realise the ‘gold standard’.

At 9.45 am, Brian Foster (UK sales manager at Headline Sponsor C-TEC) reviews the subject of ‘Modernising Existing Fire Alarm Systems’. From schools and care homes through to guest houses, retail premises and student accommodation, the management teams at many sites are now looking to upgrade ageing fire alarm systems in order to take advantage of modern technologies such as false alarm-resistant detection, lockdown alert integration and cloud-based monitoring.

That being so, this presentation is tasked with exploring some of the options available (including an appraisal of the practical considerations involved in upgrading existing fire alarm infrastructure).

Stuart Hope (relationship manager for the Glasgow area at Aico) joins conference at 10.20 am to look at fire and life safety systems and the need for meeting recognised industry standards across training, competency, siting and system installation.

The presentation reinforces the importance of compliance with British Standards Institution and manufacturer-led requirements, including product compatibility and correct component use, in addition to highlighting the necessity for approved and financially stable suppliers to maintain certification, warranties and long-term system compliance.

Single Building Assessments

The first coffee and networking break of the day is from 10.45 am-11.15 am, immediately after which Stuart Morgan (fire engineer at the Global HSE Group) reviews the topic of ‘Single Building Assessments: From Guidance to Reality’.

Drawing on recent Single Building Assessment Programmes for housing associations and local authorities, Morgan will explore the practical realities of delivering robust assessments across complex and occupied residential buildings, duly looking at the challenges encountered during the assessment process and how they can be overcome, before imparting the lessons that can help inform future Single Building Assessment Programmes across Scotland.

Martyn’s Law – formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – is changing how the management teams at publicly accessible premises think about safety, moving the focus beyond evacuation to also include invacuation, lockdown and emergency communication.

The session at conference that runs from 11.40 am until just after noon (speaker to be confirmed) explores how fire, security and building management must work together to ensure occupants receive clear and unambiguous instruction that’s delivered to the right people in an expedient manner during an incident.

Flame detection systems

At 12.05 pm, and taking delegates through to lunch at 12.30 pm, Tom Codd (product manager at FFE) will speak about ‘When Flame Detection Matters Most’. In high-risk industrial environments, fires can develop rapidly and the earliest warning signs are not always smoke. This session examines when flame detection should be considered across applications including distilleries, processing facilities, waste and recycling sites and ATEX areas.

‘Fire Risk Management at Tesco plc’ is the subject matter of choice for Rob Cook (in-house fire safety manager for the High Street retailer). Tesco’s retail fire risk management strategy focuses on proactively identifying fire hazards, reducing ignition risks and maintaining robust prevention controls across stores, warehouses and offices. That strategy combines regular fire risk assessments, colleague training, strict compliance with fire safety legislation and the maintenance of fire detection, fire alarm and fire suppression systems.

Following the mid-afternoon networking and refreshments break (which runs from 3.10 pm until 3.40 pm), Ali Perry (CEO at the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) joins conference. Fire harms more than children’s education. It also affects their well-being. An educational facility that’s used outside of normal school hours by local clubs and societies, but is closed due to a fire event, is no longer available. If we want schools that are built to last, they should be sprinklered. A new cost-benefit analysis to be outlined by Perry makes the compelling case for sprinklers in schools.

Accompanying exhibition

No fewer than 55 of the leading fire safety systems and solution providers are taking part in the accompanying exhibition. Delegates attending conference and the exhibition will leave the venue at circa 4.30 pm armed with a host of practical ideas, details of innovative approaches, news on the latest products and solutions and valuable industry connections all designed to help drive real improvements within their host organisations.

The Institute of Fire Safety Managers will be delivering a presentation in Fire Safety Theatre 2. Additional talks here focus on subjects including fire safety in healthcare premises, the regulation of fire safety in Scotland, fire strategies versus fire risk assessments and raising the standards, certification and qualifications relating to the latter.

Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland 2026 is co-located with Health and Safety Matters Live Scotland 2026.

*Registration for Fire Safety Matters Live Scotland 2026 is free of charge. Visit the event’s dedicated website for further information and register online now to join hundreds of your peers for a day of first-class education and networking