Responding to the Government consultation entitled ‘Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building Control: Telecommunications Work’, the FPA has highlighted concerns from its membership that penetrations through fire-resisting construction are frequently poorly managed and inadequately reinstated. The organisation has stated that any relaxation of oversight could increase the risk posed to life and undermine fire compartmentation.

While recognising the intention to improve proportionality, the FPA has cautioned that current problems stem not from excessive regulation, but from a lack of assurance that work is competently completed.

In its consultation response, the FPA explained: “Building Control procedural requirements and the drilling of holes for anything, including fibre optic cabling, are two separate issues. The procedural requirements ought to guarantee the fire safety protection measures are compliant. If they do not, then they are the wrong requirements.”

The FPA has noted that even minor works can present serious risks where fire-resisting elements are breached. “There is the potential for the spread of fire or smoke through deficient fire-protected structure, which may lead to a risk of death or serious injury.” FPA members “generally view the risk from uncontrolled drilling and inadequate fire stopping as high.”

Lack of reliable information

A key concern raised by the FPA is the lack of reliable information available to installers. “In many buildings, accurate and up-to-date ‘as-built’ drawings are not readily available, making it difficult for installers or ‘Responsible Persons’ to confirm whether a wall is fire-resisting or to verify its original level of protection”. This uncertainty can result in breaches being left inadequately sealed and remaining undetected for long periods of time.

The FPA has also warned that reducing notification or approval requirements could render unsafe works invisible to enforcing authorities. “There is a very clear risk of works being permitted under dispensations that allow them to become invisible to enforcing authorities.” The FPA has also noted that this could remove the requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Authorities on material changes to occupied premises.

Drawing on lessons learned from previous fatal fires, the FPA has stressed that breaches in compartmentation can have catastrophic consequences, duly citing the 2009 Lakanal House fire (where “the systematic deconstruction of fire resistance of the building over time and multiple refurbishments led to fire and smoke spreading horizontally and vertically”).

Survey feedback from FPA members strongly opposes any blanket dispensation for fibre optic cabling works, with the FPA’s response reporting that “most felt it would not be appropriate to reduce or remove Building Control procedures for drilling holes for fibre optic cabling, even with assurances that safety would be maintained”, with many members emphasising that “any penetration through fire-resisting barriers requires proper controls, documentation and oversight.”

Competence, assurance and traceability

The FPA has argued that any proportionate approach must focus on competence, assurance and traceability. Members have highlighted the importance of “mandatory use of tested and approved fire stopping products,” clear records of work and the effective handover of information to building owners and ‘Accountable Persons’.

Ultimately, the FPA concluded that weakening procedural safeguards without robust alternative controls would be unjustified. The FPA’s consultation response contains the warning: “It’s not reasonable to presume, without reliable evidence, that work affecting fire protection will be carried out to an appropriate standard.”

*Further details related to the consultation can be found by accessing the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s website

This revised 58-page document has been developed in response to changes in legislation and the recommendations that emerged from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It provides clear and practical guidance for ‘Responsible Persons’, designers, regulators and Fire and Rescue Services, while supporting a consistent approach towards the provision and management of SIBs.

The guidance reflects the current regulatory framework, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025.

As expectations around building safety continue to evolve, the Code of Practice sets out recommendations on the specification, location, security and maintenance of SIBs, as well as the development and management of Emergency Response Packs (ERPs). It highlights the importance of ensuring that Fire and Rescue Services personnel have access to reliable and up-to-date information to support effective decision-making during an incident.

Needs of resident

There’s a strong emphasis throughout on the needs of residents, particularly so those individuals who may require assistance to evacuate. The guidance incorporates the requirements for Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and promotes the importance of handling sensitive information securely, while also ensuring that it remains accessible when needed.

This updated Code of Practice supports a more consistent and co-ordinated approach across the sector, providing a practical framework to help improve building safety and support effective Emergency Services response.

Availability of information

Ian Moore, CEO of the Fire Industry Association, stated: “The need to ensure that information is available to the Fire and Rescue Service in a consistent format to assist with emergency response, particularly so when taking into account those with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairments, is absolutely crucial. This guidance helps to ensure that those most in need of support are fully considered in the decisions and plans for managing an incident. This is why the Fire Industry Association is pleased to co-produce this Code of Practice.”

Phil Garrigan OBE KFSM, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, observed: “In recent years there has, and quite rightly, been a significant focus on the safety of buildings in terms of their design, construction, materials and the competence of those involved in the process. These factors are critically important. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that residential buildings are not simply assets or structures. They’re people’s homes.”

Garrigan continued: “Everyone has a fundamental right to feel safe where they live, particularly so those with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairments. The National Fire Chiefs Council strongly welcomes the emphasis within this Code on the protection of vulnerable individuals and the requirement for accurate and up‑to‑date information to be provided through Emergency Response Packs. Ensuring that firefighters have timely access to vital information during an incident supports informed decision‑making and enables those most at risk to be properly considered in operational planning and response procedures.”

*Copies of the Code of Practice for the Provision of Secure Information Boxes in Residential Buildings can be downloaded from the Fire Industry Association’s website

Cooking fires remain one of the leading causes of accidental dwelling fires in the UK, with 2025 statistics showing that 44% of fires in the home start in the kitchen. Firechief Global’s kitchen stove guard addresses the risk directly, using an advanced 8x8 matrix heat detection sensor to monitor cooking activity and automatically cut the electricity supply to the hob before a fire can take hold.

Importantly, the system uses heat detection rather than smoke detection, intervening before a fire starts rather than after it has already begun.

The FSW1E has been developed with ease of installation very firmly in mind. A single control unit comes factory-paired with its sensor, reducing set-up time on-site. The unit supports hood, wall or ceiling mounting, with self-adhesive brackets included as standard. For installers working across multiple properties, that simplicity adds up.

A significant addition with the FSW1E is a dedicated installer app, available for both iOS and Android. Using Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity, the app allows installers to view system status, configure stove type and sensor placement and set programmable automatic safe timer limits all from a mobile device during installation. It’s designed for installers only and represents a meaningful step forward in reducing commissioning time.

Tested and certified

The FSW1E is tested and certified to BS EN 50615:2015 Category B, the British Standard for stove guard devices, and carries both CE and UKCA marking. Professional installation is required. The product is suitable for electric stoves and is particularly well suited to sheltered housing, student accommodation, supported living facilities, high-rise apartments and any setting where distraction or memory difficulties may increase the risk of a cooking fire being left unattended.

“The FSW1E builds on everything that made the FSW1 a trusted choice for installers and takes matters a stage further,” said Ian Poole, sales director at Firechief Global. “The factory-paired sensor and single control unit make installation more straightforward, while the new app affords engineers real control during commissioning and the BS EN 50615 certification gives specifiers and housing managers the confidence to recommend it without hesitation. This is a product that genuinely reduces risk in some of the most vulnerable settings.”

The FSW1E is available now and sits alongside the existing FSW1 model within the Firechief Global kitchen stove guard range, giving installers and distributors a choice of specification to suit different project requirements.

*Full product details and specification-focused information are available online at www.firechiefglobal.com/firechief-kitchen-stove-guard-fsw1e

In publishing a new Policy Position Statement on planning, the NFCC has affirmed its support for the drive towards more affordable housing, but in parallel warns that safety must remain a fundamental consideration as the planning system evolves. Decisions made during planning, observes the NFCC, can shape community risk “for generations”.

Fire and Rescue Services play a vital role in protecting communities, but the infrastructure upon which they rely – ie safe access routes, dependable water supplies and accurate risk information – is often overlooked in the planning stage and only becomes apparent during an emergency.

The Policy Position Statement builds on the NFCC’s recent response to reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, which emphasised that proposed planning reforms are overwhelmingly focused on accelerating delivery, increasing flexibility for developers and meeting central Government housing targets “without sufficient regard” to safety in the built environment.

While Fire and Rescue Services are statutory consultees at the Building Regulations stage for new builds and building alterations, the planning and Building Control systems operate separately. This can lead to assumptions that essential Fire and Rescue Service requirements – such as site access or layout – have already been addressed when in fact they haven’t.

The Government has recently expanded the use of Permitted Development Rights, enabling certain conversions or extensions to bypass full planning scrutiny. The NFCC warns that, while this may speed up housing delivery, it must not lead to developments that later require costly remediation in order to meet current fire safety standards.

Safe, sustainable and resilient

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan said: “We fully support the Government’s ambition to deliver more homes, and we recognise the role of planning reform in achieving this, but new homes must also be safe, sustainable and resilient.”

Garrigan continued: “Planning decisions shape communities for decades. If fire safety isn’t considered from the very start, the consequences often appear much later when lives, homes and firefighter safety are placed at risk. It’s far better to design safety in from the outset than to try and retrofit solutions once problems emerge.”

Further, Garrigan commented: “We are urging Government to make fire safety a core part of the planning process with clear requirements that compel planners and developers to prioritise it from Day One.”

An additional NFCC recommendation includes stronger safeguards for residential conversions under Permitted Development Rights, preventing commercial to residential conversions from bypassing full planning scrutiny.

The NFCC is calling for stronger checks in the planning process to ensure Fire and Rescue Service expertise is properly considered, including the reinstatement of a formal requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Services on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The call follows the removal of mandatory pre-application consultation as part of reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

Suitable access

Fire chiefs say that ensuring suitable access for Emergency Services vehicles and reliable water supplies for firefighting is also critical, warning that no building should be occupied until adequate firefighting water provision has been confirmed.

Further, the NFCC has stated that embedding fire safety into planning will ensure the homes and developments built across the country are safe, resilient and able to protect communities long into the future.

The NFCC’s Policy Position Statement also sets out several recommendations to strengthen fire safety within planning. These include formally recognising Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Services as essential infrastructure within developer funding mechanisms such as Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy, allowing new developments to contribute towards stations, equipment and other Emergency Services resources.

The NFCC is also calling for developers, rather than Fire and Rescue Services, to fund fire hydrant installation for new developments.

This year’s edition of The Fire Safety Event promises to be a “standout moment” in the fire safety sector’s calendar, with the FIA placing a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing, skills development and industry engagement.

Platform for expertise

A cornerstone of the FIA’s presence at the NEC, the FIA Guidance Theatre will provide a hub for learning and discussion. Attendees can expect a dynamic programme featuring keynote speakers, technical sessions and expert-led panel discussions covering a wide range of topics.

Bringing together leading voices from across the sector, the Guidance Theatre will offer valuable insights into current challenges, emerging technologies and Best Practice, ensuring that visitors remain informed and ahead of the curve.

The programme for 28 April begins at 10.40 am with the FIA’s CEO Ian Moore OBE speaking on the key topic of compliance in the fire industry. Updates on BS 5266-1 come courtesy of Will Lloyd (head of technical at the FIA). That session begins at noon.

‘Shaping Standards’ is the title of a panel discussion being delivered by the FIA’s Fire Detection and Alarm Council. Starting at 1.20 pm, participants include Paul Pope from Ajax Systems UK and Robert Quinn of Eurotech Fire Systems.

Presenters in the FIA Guidance Theatre on 29 April include Russ Timpson (head of the Tall Building Fire Safety Network) and Elaine Walters (fire and building safety manager at the Gentoo Group). From 11.20 am, Walters will be examining the development of the next generation of fire safety professionals.

One of the highlights on 30 April is the noon presentation on shaping the future of sustainable fire safety. This is delivered by Adil Sardardeen, head of sustainability at FIA Member Company Apollo Fire Detectors.

Spotlight on emerging talent

New for 2026, the FIA is hosting the inaugural edition of the Fire Industry Newcomer of the Year Competition, duly shining a spotlight on the next generation of fire safety professionals.

Taking place live on the FIA’s Stand in Hall 4 at the NEC, this fast-paced, hands-on competition is tailored for trainees, apprentices and early-career technicians working in fire detection and alarm systems.

Participants will be challenged to work on a live, non-addressable fire alarm system where they must identify faults and any non-compliances, apply safe working practices, carry out accurate system testing and then document their findings.

Competitors will be assessed by experienced industry professionals using a structured and fair marking system, with performance judged on method, accuracy and the degree of professionalism shown.

The live format offers a unique opportunity for visitors, employers and peers to observe real-world competence in action, in turn highlighting the importance of skills development and raising standards across the industry.

Driving collaboration and innovation

By virtue of combining expert-led education with practical and skills-based competition, the FIA’s presence at The Fire Safety Event 2026 reinforces the Trade Association’s overriding commitment to supporting the fire safety community at every level.

With its largest offering at the NEC to date, the FIA invites all attendees to engage, learn and connect, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve, innovate and uphold the very highest standards of safety.

*Further information is available online at www.fia.uk.com

**Register for The Fire Safety Event 2026 online at www.firesafetyevent.com

The fire at the American Linen Mill in Fall River was stopped in its tracks before it had the chance to become catastrophic. It was the world's first documented ‘sprinkler save’. Close on 150 years later, we’re still telling that story because the principle proved on that day remains entirely unchanged.

Not a new idea

It would be easy to assume that automatic fire sprinkler systems are a modern invention, the product of recent building codes and advancing engineering. They’re not. The Parmelee Automatic Sprinkler, manufactured by Frederick Grinnell, was already installed in that Fall River mill when the fire broke out. It had been developed from an earlier installation in a New Haven piano factory, where owner Henry Parmelee wanted practical protection for his property.

The system was brilliantly uncomplicated: a brass body connected to water piping with a metallic cap held in place by solder engineered to melt at a set temperature. Heat melted the solder. The cap released. Water followed. There were no wires and no sensors. Only heat, physics and water working together on an automatic basis. The system asked nothing of the people in the building. It simply worked.

While sprinklers have been refined and improved over the decades using new materials and scientific design, being activated by heat remains the core principle of every sprinkler head installed today.

For those of us who work in the fire safety domain, there’s something quietly remarkable about that. The fundamental design Parmelee and Grinnell developed has thrived and the documented evidence as to why is overwhelming.

What the evidence tells us

Sprinklers are not a theoretical safeguard. UK Research has shown that sprinkler systems have an operational reliability of 94% and, when they do activate, they extinguish or contain the fire in 99% of cases across a wide range of building types.

Those are not marketing figures. They’re the product of real-world incident data which is repeated across many countries. Sprinklers remain the most effective form of active fire suppression measure we have at our disposal. They’re capable of controlling a fire in its earliest stages, limiting fire growth before structural compromise and negating the conditions that cost lives and, ultimately, destroy businesses.

Knowledge gap

Despite nearly 150 years’ worth of proof behind the technology, misconceptions persist. Developers, consultants, financiers and even some construction professionals still debate the merits of sprinkler installations without a clear understanding of how they actually work.

The most common misunderstanding is that all sprinklers activate simultaneously. Sadly, as we often say, that’s the stuff of movies. They’re triggered thermally so only the sprinklers directly exposed to the fire’s heat will activate. They do not respond to smoke. They will not trigger because someone has burned their toast. The response is targeted, proportionate and automatic.

This is not a trivial misunderstanding. When decision-makers reach inaccurate conclusions about cost, disruption or necessity, buildings go unprotected that should not be. The lessons of 1877 are being set aside, not out of malice, but out of a knowledge gap that our industry has a firm responsibility to close.

Sprinkler systems should be viewed as a long-term investment in safety, not merely a one-time expense, and certainly not dismissed without a genuine understanding of what they do.

An anniversary worth marking

At the Business Sprinkler Alliance, we believe this anniversary deserves more than a footnote. Nearly 150 years of evidence is not a coincidence. It’s a consistent and repeatable demonstration that early intervention limits consequences. Sprinklers protect life and property. They work. What’s more, they’ve worked for generations.

Our task now is to ensuring that sprinklers are specified, installed and championed where they’re needed the most.

Tom Roche is Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance (www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org)

Following the highly successful event in Manchester last year, the IWMA is once again introducing a fresh element to the format. The regular 1.5-day Conference Programme will be complemented by a dedicated half-day training workshop focusing on the design and effective use of water mist systems.

On that note, the IWMA continues to invest in educating practitioners within the fire protection industry on how to apply water mist technology more efficiently and confidently in practice. Continuing Professional Development certificates will be issued to all workshop participants.

Knowledge sharing

“Our annual gathering is more than just a conference,” explained Max Lakkonen, president of the IWMA. “It’s where the global water mist community joins forces to share knowledge, challenge ideas and shape the future of fire protection.”

As always, the Ragnar Wighus Award will be presented. In 2026, this will honour the author of the best Master’s thesis dedicated to smaller droplets. The deadline for submitting synopses has been extended to 31 May.

The ticket shop will close on 2 October at noon.

*Further information is available online at www.iwma.net/iwmc

Lane is a Fellow of Arup and a chartered senior engineering executive with 30-plus years’ experience of operating across a wide variety of sectors within the built environment. Importantly, she served as an expert witness for Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry from 2017 to 2024.

Davies has served on the Building Advisory Committee since its inception and is currently head of technical insight at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. Additionally, he serves on several distinguished industry groups and chaired the Building Advisory Committee’s predecessor body (namely the Building Regulations Advisory Committee) from 2020 to 2023.

The appointments of Dr Lane and Dr Davies to these senior roles “represents the start of an important transition” for the Building Advisory Committee.

The Building Advisory Committee is wholly committed to strengthening its role as a key source of advice and support to the Building Safety Regulator alongside the Industry Competence Committee, chaired by Jon Vanstone and the Statutory Residents’ Panel, which is currently in the process of recruiting its own independent chair.

Dr Lane and Dr Davies are already liaising closely with the Building Safety Regulator to ensure a smooth leadership transition. The strategic direction of the Building Advisory Committee is being considered to ensure that it works in conjunction with the Building Safety Regulator “to deliver maximum impact”.

The shared ambition is to drive real change across the sector and act as a positive influence on the regulator, the Building Advisory Committee and the regimes operating under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Powerful force   

Dr Barbara Lane stated: “Taking on this independent role is part of my ongoing commitment to create a safe and equitable built environment. One that works for everyone. I believe that the Building Advisory Committee can be a powerful force for good across the sector, building on the harsh lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower fire. Ultimately, my aim is to try and remedy the shortcomings exposed in our building standards in order to protect and improve the lives of millions throughout the country.”

Dr Hywel Davies added: “I’m pleased to be appointed deputy chair and supporting Dr Lane in her new role. The Building Advisory Committee has a critical role to play supporting the Building Safety Regulator in its work to improve the building safety regime, identify risks posed to building users and provide consistent and timely standards and guidance that can meet the complex challenges we face today.”

Charlie Pugsley, acting CEO of the Building Safety Regulator, observed: “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome both Dr Lane and Dr Davies to their new roles on the Building Advisory Committee. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise garnered from successful careers working in the built environment and will make a real difference to the positive impact of the Building Safety Regulator, the Building Advisory Committee and regimes under the Building Safety Act 2022.”

Pugsley concluded: “Their combined knowledge and skills will be invaluable when it comes to informing and supporting our mission to ensure safer homes and buildings for all.”

*Further information is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/building-safety-regulator

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival chances by up to 10%. With the rapid use of a defibrillator, survival rates can reach as high as 70%.

In the event of a large or complex incident, such as a multi-floor building fire or a motorway collision, the distance between a firefighter working at the scene and a defibrillator fixed to a wall or stored in a vehicle can be considerable. That distance costs time Emergency Services crews cannot necessarily afford to lose.

While defibrillators save lives, traditional devices are bulky and heavy. Fire crews already carry breathing apparatus, PPE and radio equipment, and the cumulative weight takes a real physical toll across any given shift.  

Portable defibrillators

A new generation of ultra-portable defibrillators could change how fire crews respond to medical emergencies and protect public safety.

St John Ambulance’s HEART Pocket defibrillator weighs just 700 g and is roughly the size of a mobile phone, making it the smallest and lightest defibrillator currently available.

The HEART Pocket is small enough to fit in a pocket. As such, crew members can remain agile and quick. This means less fatigue across a shift, faster movement when it counts and, crucially, quicker time-to-treatment for patients.

Crew members can respond to a cardiac arrest incident the moment they arrive on scene. What’s more, the HEART Pocket provides step-by-step voice guidance with CPR prompts, including a metronome and hand placement instructions, thereby enabling responders to confidently intervene before specialist support arrives.  

The HEART Pocket is supplied with an eight-year warranty and approved to the EU’s Medical Device Regulation, meeting the highest standards of safety and reliability to protect the public.

Ready to respond

Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate by age so the equipment carried by those who respond should reflect that. The HEART Pocket features a built-in paediatric mode, allowing Emergency Services personnel to switch between adult and child settings at the press of a button, with no need to carry separate pads or additional accessories.

For crews attending house fires, school incidents or family emergencies, that capability matters.

Fire and Rescue Service equipment must withstand heat, smoke, water and extreme physical impact. The HEART Pocket is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance and has been drop-tested from 1.5 metres.

Drawing on over 150 years of First Aid expertise, St John Ambulance has built this device for the unpredictable conditions that fire crews face every day such that they can rely on the HEART Pocket, no matter what situations they may face on their shift.

Power of First Aid

Defibrillators mounted on walls or stored in vehicles can save lives, but distance and delay remain an obstacle. With portable defibrillators, whomever arrives first on scene brings the life-saving capability with them, closing the gap between arrival and treatment.

St John Ambulance is the sole UK distributor of the HEART Pocket defibrillator, helping fire crews to save lives across the country.

All profits from sales of the defibrillator are ploughed back into supporting the charity’s vital work, in turn helping to fund the essential training and equipment volunteers need at their disposal in order to keep communities safe.

Gareth Barker is Head of Event Healthcare at St John Ambulance (www.sja.org.uk)

*Further information is available online at shop.sja.org.uk/s/pkt0

Sentencing took place at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 31 March after the company entered a guilty plea to a charge brought forward by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Portelet Manor Limited entered the plea in relation to an offence contrary to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that put people at risk of death or serious injury. Contrary to Article 11 of the Fire Safety Order, Portelet Manor Limited failed to ensure appropriate fire safety arrangements were in place.

In addition to the fine, Portelet Manor Limited was ordered to pay £22,000 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Background to the case

A resident who had been smoking in the Care Home’s designated smoking area on 19 June 2023 suffered significant burns and died in hospital eleven days later. Although the Fire and Rescue Service was not called to the incident, it was made aware of what had happened and opened an investigation.

Tom Huntley, fire safety prosecution manager for the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “First and foremost, the thoughts of us all at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service remain with the loved ones, friends and family of the person who tragically lost their life. Public safety is our highest priority. Poole Magistrates’ Court’s finding should serve as a clear message to everyone in Dorset and Wiltshire about the importance of fire safety.”

Huntley added: “We are fully committed to supporting businesses and ‘Responsible Persons’ to ensure the safety of members of the public. However, where there’s a failure to comply with legal requirements, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will pursue prosecution action where it’s appropriate and in the public interest to do so. This case highlights the very serious consequences of failures in fire safety management.”

*Further information is available online at www.dwfire.org.uk