Behind the ribbon-cutting, though, resides a story of recovery from the devastating fire that tore through Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses’ Shay Lane site in Longridge. It’s a story that’s far from over.

It has been reported in newly filed accounts for the business that, nearly three years on, Butlers is still trading at only around 60% of pre-fire levels. Turnover for the year to September 2025 came in at £18.2 million, standing as only a modest rise on the £16.9 million recorded the previous year, while the company posted a pre-tax loss of £608,000.

Fourth-generation owner Matthew Hall has been candid about the scale of the challenge, describing the past year as one of resilience rather than resolution, in tandem warning that the effects of the fire are expected to continue for several years to come.

This is the reality that rarely makes the headlines. The fire destroyed the cutting, packing, warehousing and office facilities at Shay Lane. While the company’s separate dairy site kept production alive, rebuilding capacity has taken years rather than months.

Securing planning permission for the new £15 million cheesemaking campus wasn’t achieved until February last year, over 12 months after the blaze. The acquisition of the Hampshire Cheese Company in February 2024 was needed just to shore up soft cheese capacity in the interim. The new facility on the farm may look like a phoenix moment, but it was built on the back of a prolonged financial and operational struggle.

Not alone

Butlers is far from being alone in discovering that the road back from a major fire is measured in years, not weeks. A fire at the Baldock Industrial Estate in Hertfordshire in July 2023 destroyed upwards of 40 business units. More than 12 months on, affected business owners were still waiting for the site to be cleared, let alone rebuilt.

With 17 different owners across the estate, agreeing on a way forward proved as difficult a task as recovering from the fire itself, leaving traders in limbo and unable to return to their premises.

These cases illustrate a wider truth about fire recovery in unsprinklered buildings: the damage doesn’t end when the fire’s extinguished. Rebuilding, replanning and refinancing can drag on for years, hitting turnover, cash flow and jobs long after the story has left the news pages.

The number of primary fires in industrial premises recorded as food and drink processing facilities has averaged 100 per year in England over recent years.

Sprinklers change that equation. Where fitted, they’ve been shown to contain, control or extinguish a fire in 99% of cases in which they operate, protecting stock, structure and, crucially, business continuity.

Businesses with sprinkler systems installed typically find themselves back up-and-running within hours. Butlers’ experience shows what the alternative can look like: years of reduced trading, financial losses and a ‘next chapter’ that has taken the best part of three years to write.

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

Watts worked closely with the FIA throughout the development of a number of the Trade Association’s early training programmes, particularly so in the fields of fire detection and alarm systems and emergency lighting. He also made a significant contribution through his involvement in industry Technical Councils, Technical Committees and Working Groups, always helping to shape technical guidance and promote higher standards across the sector.

While Watts was widely respected for his technical expertise, he will be remembered just as much for his character. He was always approachable, supportive and generous with his time, whether assisting colleagues, answering technical questions from delegates or offering guidance to members of the wider industry. His willingness to share his knowledge and help others to develop made a lasting impact on many within the fire sector.

Time and expertise

Reflecting on Watts’ extensive contribution across many years, Michael Gregg (head of training at the FIA) explained: “I had the pleasure of working with Chris for many years and always found him to be one of the most approachable and co-operative people in our industry. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Whether we needed advice on a technical matter, support in developing our training programmes or help in answering questions from delegates or the public, Chris was always willing to give his time and expertise.”

Gregg added: “He genuinely wanted to help people and to improve standards right across the industry. There’s no doubt that he will be greatly missed, both professionally and on a personal level.”

Colin Todd MBE, FIA Board member and chair of the Fire Risk Assessment Council, has also paid tribute to his long-standing friend and colleague.

“The fire industry was deeply saddened to learn of Chris’ passing,” affirmed Todd. “Even at the age of 82, Chris remained chair of the British Standards Institution Technical Committee responsible for emergency lighting codes. Although he had planned to retire from the role, sadly he passed away before those plans could be realised.”

Todd continued: “It would be no exaggeration to describe Chris as ‘Mr Emergency Lighting UK’. After a lifetime of service to the industry, he was universally respected and genuinely liked by everyone who knew him. As chair, he had a remarkable ability to bring together differing views and guide committees towards consensus, helping to shape many of the standards and codes that continue to underpin our industry today.”

Willingness to help

Beyond his technical achievements, Watts will be remembered for his passion for emergency lighting and his unwavering willingness to help others. He gave his advice freely and generously, never counting the time involved if it meant helping a colleague or improving understanding.

Many in the industry may not know that Watts also had a great love of music, a passion he shared with his son, Ian, of whom he was immensely proud for following a career in the same field.

“I was fortunate to call Chris a close friend for more than 40 years,” explained Todd. “Early in my own career, his wisdom and guidance enabled me to undertake one particularly major and complex emergency lighting project that would have been impossible without his support. That was the beginning of a friendship that endured for decades. I will always be grateful for his generosity, encouragement and friendship. He leaves an extraordinary legacy, not only through the standards he helped to create, but through the countless people whose careers he influenced.”

The FIA extends its sincere condolences to Chris’ wife and all of his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. He leaves behind a lasting legacy through the many people he supported, the standards he helped to develop and the positive influence he had on the fire safety and emergency lighting industries.

Watts will be remembered with great respect and affection by all who had the privilege of working with him.

The team at Fire Safety Matters echoes the eloquent and heartfelt sentiments expressed by the FIA.

Since the BSR’s Innovation Unit was established in August last year, it has witnessed its approval rate more than double (from 39% to 91%). Median approval times have also almost halved, from 43 weeks 12 months ago to 22 weeks in this latest set of data.

Pleasingly, the performance of external remediation applications shows similar improvements following the introduction of the BSR’s External Remediation Plan back in April. As reported at the time by Fire Safety Matters, this was introduced alongside process improvements, updated guidance and the move towards closer engagement with applicants.

Highlights to 1 August (12-week rolling period)

Over the last 12 weeks, the BSR has made 349 Building Control decisions across all higher-risk building (HRB) categories, with an overall national approval rate of 82% (representing 287 cases).

For new HRBs and conversions, the approval rate (not including invalidations and withdrawals) has risen to 91% with a median approval time of 22 weeks. In London, approvals stood at 93% with a 23-week median approval time.

Existing building remediation approvals stood at 85%, significantly exceeding the BSR’s annual target of 65%. In London, approvals stood at 92%.

Approvals for National Health Service (NHS) applications reached 84% nationally, with 16 approvals from 19 decisions. London saw a total of six projects being approved from seven determinations (86%).

In its first year, the BSR’s Innovation Unit has streamlined new-build assessments, determining 102 applications over the past year, of which 76 (ie 75%) were approvals or approvals with requirements.

The Innovation Unit signals a current approval rate of 91% and a median determination time of 22 weeks for non-complex cases.

New-build and conversion projects

Applications for new HRBs and conversions continue to progress through the BSR’s aforementioned Innovation Unit. Over the last 12 weeks, the BSR has made 45 decisions on new-build projects, achieving an approval rate of 91%. These approved projects represent 7,587 residential units in total.

For comparison, in the 12 weeks to August 2025, median approval time stood at 43 weeks with an approval rate of 39%.

Most new-build activity occurred in London. This accounted for 27 of the 45 national decisions, with 25 of those 27 projects in the capital approved. London’s approval rate of 93% represents 3,841 residential units.

Currently, London represents 65% of all in-progress new-build applications and 58% of the total units under assessment. Nationally, the BSR is managing 131 live new-build and conversion applications representing 30,421 units.

Existing building remediation

Targeted operational improvements designed to reduce decision times have driven national remediation approvals up to 85%. This is significantly higher than the BSR’s target of 65% for the end of 2026. In London, remediation approval rates reached 92%, in turn exceeding the national average.

The BSR determined 110 remediation decisions over the rolling 12-week period, approving 85% of projects that represent 7,433 residential units.

Outstanding legacy applications from 2024 have fallen to 13 (down from 42 at the start of the year, in fact) as teams work with applicants to resolve challenging technical issues.

Older cases in the system averaged a median approval time of 34 weeks, which includes clearing older applications from 2024-2025.

However, recent data shows that applications submitted in 2026 have a median determination time of 21 weeks. This is due to improved application quality and streamlined internal processes. The BSR is currently managing 330 live remediation cases nationally encompassing 28,778 units.

NHS applications

NHS applications – covering a range of hospital building work from maintenance through to new facilities – are now a separate tracked category. Approvals for NHS applications stood at 84% nationally with a median approval time of 24 weeks.

Over the rolling 12-week period, the BSR received 29 new NHS applications and made 19 determinations. Of these decisions, the BSR approved 16 with a median determination time of 24 weeks. The median determination time for NHS applications submitted in 2026 is 13 weeks.

The BSR’s specialist team has been working closely with the NHS to facilitate the specialist nature of its applications. This has begun to show results with some recent approvals coming in at the statutory eight-week timescale.

Currently, the BSR is managing 36 active NHS cases nationally to support the delivery of safe and upgraded healthcare facilities. London achieved an approval rate of 86% over the period, with six projects approved and a median determination time of 27 weeks.

Innovation Unit: 12 months on

During its first year of operation, the BSR’s Innovation Unit has “fundamentally reset” how new-build applications are assessed. This was done by bringing multi-disciplinary teams in-house, cutting set-up times from months to days.

The streamlined approach has substantially reduced average determination times. The Innovation Unit approved 102 applications over the past year, of which 76 (75%) were approvals or approvals with requirements.

The Innovation Unit reports a current approval rate of 91% and median determination time of 22 weeks for non-complex cases. Prior to the Innovation Unit being established, new-build approval rates stood at 39% with a median approval time of 43 weeks.

In order to continuously improve applicant communication and decision consistency, the BSR introduced dedicated account managers, an internal consistency panel and new tools designed to track outstanding issues during the Innovation Unit’s first year.

The BSR also designated highly intricate applications as ‘complex’ to allocate more targeted resources. This successful blueprint is now being rolled out across other services (including for the remediation team).

Over the same period, performance for external remediation applications has also improved significantly, moving from an approval time of 43 weeks and an approval rate of 47% to 34 weeks and 85% respectively.

Refurbishments and early Gateway 3 indicators

The approval rate for internal refurbishment works in Category A and Category B is currently 77% with a median determination time for approvals of 32 weeks. However, internal refurbishment applications submitted in 2026 have a median determination time of 16 weeks.

HRB internal work determinations over the last 12 weeks account for around 49% of all Gateway 2 decisions. These applications include all internal refurbishment works except for NHS projects.

The BSR is managing 981 active cases for internal works, which achieved an approval rate of 77% with a median determination time of 32 weeks for 166 decisions over the last 12 weeks.

While no new-build projects that have passed through Gateway 2 have reached Gateway 3, a significant number of internal refurbishment projects have already passed through Gateway 2.

Of the 319 Gateway 3 applications received, 235 of them are internal refurbishments with most of the remainder being transitional cases (47) and NHS internal refurbishments (23).

Over the last 12 weeks, 29 Gateway 3 applications have been determined with an approval rate of 72% and a median determination time of 16 weeks. The quickest determination was eight weeks.

This is an important area of focus for the BSR, particularly so for new-build. The BSR expects determination times to reduce as new processes are introduced and more resources are added.

Transitional cases in progress

In order to ensure thorough regulatory coverage, the BSR is currently managing 69 transitional Building Control cases at Gateway 2. These are legacy projects that have reverted to the BSR when the Building Control body originally overseeing the project ceased trading.

While often extremely complex due to a lack of standard structural evidence from the previous regime, the BSR has received 47 transitional cases at Gateway 3.

To manage evolving design requirements safely during construction, the BSR is actively processing 181 live major change requests with 112 closed. The median closure time for new-build projects is currently seven weeks, which is just one week above the statutory target.

The volume of live major change requests has increased over the last 12 weeks. External remediations represented the only category to show a downward trend.

Scaling regulatory resources

In order to support this increasing volume of decisions, the BSR has significantly expanded its capabilities. The current combined resourcing profile includes 176 internal BSR staff members (100 regulatory leads, 15 principal regulatory leads, 56 case officers and five case officer managers) in tandem with 506 external specialists (numbering 221 registered building inspectors, 111 Fire and Rescue Service professionals), 135 structural engineers and 39 other specialists.

Of these external specialists, 36 registered building inspectors, eight Fire and Rescue Service professionals and 20 structural engineers are now fully integrated directly into the BSR’s Innovation Unit and external remediation team in a bid to accelerate application processing times.

Collaborative approach to safety

Charlie Pugsley, acting CEO of the BSR, said: “We are witnessing positive momentum in Building Control approvals across all categories, including critical work to upgrade NHS hospitals and facilities. This progress is a direct result of our targeted improvement plans and closer and more collaborative work with the NHS to resolve technical issues early in the design phase.”

Pugsley continued: “By scaling up our resources and deploying integrated teams of registered building inspectors, fire and structural engineers, we are successfully clearing older legacy applications and accelerating determination times for new projects.”

Further, Pugsley noted: “The first year of our Innovation Unit’s operation also highlights this progress, showing how bringing specialist teams in-house can cut set-up times from months to days and safely unlock new developments.”

In conclusion, Pugsley observed: “While we remain absolutely focused on further improving our processes and supporting safe development across healthcare, housing and complex projects, our core commitment remains unchanged. We will never allow faster decision-making to compromise the safety of the people who will live in, visit or work within these buildings.”

Whether it’s responding to formal consultations, attending national research meetings or contributing towards the development of new qualifications, the IFSM’s teams have been putting in the hours to ensure that the Institute remains at the table wherever important decisions about fire safety are being made.

Right at the heart of all the work transacted by the IFSM is a simple commitment: the organisation exists to represent all of its members and make sure that the membership’s voice is heard.

As the profession continues to evolve and face new challenges, the IFSM is proud to be playing a major role in shaping the future of fire safety. Pleasingly, we are now increasingly being recognised as a leading player in the world of fire safety when it comes to the national stage.

Concrete action

Over recent months, the aforementioned commitment has translated into concrete action across a number of key areas.

Fire safety in residential care

Last month, the IFSM submitted its formal response to the Government’s consultation on fire safety in residential care settings. Drawing on the expertise and experience of the members, the submission reflected the practical realities faced by those working across the care sector, ensuring that the views of fire safety professionals are firmly represented in the policy-making process.

Consolidating and co-ordinating national fire research

In June, the Institute’s representatives travelled to Chester to attend the Consolidating and Co-ordinating National Fire Research meeting, joining colleagues from across the sector to discuss the direction of fire research nationally and to help ensure that future research priorities directly reflect the needs of those working on the ground.

Skills For Justice (SFJ) Level 5 Fire Risk Assessor qualification syllabus

The IFSM has provided detailed feedback and commentary on the proposed SFJ Level 5 qualification syllabus for fire risk assessors, drawing on members’ expertise to help and influence SFJ and its qualification, ensure that it’s fit for purpose and reflects the evolving demands of the profession.

MHCLG: Improving proportionality and building safety outcomes in Building Control

Looking ahead, the IFSM is currently working on its response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s consultation on emergency repairs under the higher-risk buildings regime.

This consultation proposes changes to the emergency repairs route for higher-risk buildings, seeking views on the public’s perception of the current route, whether the definition of emergency repairs should be expanded or a new route created for critical works, what further guidance may be needed and which types of emergency works might be suitable for self-certification through a Competent Persons Scheme.

The consultation closes on 3 September. As always, the IFSM would welcome member input to help shape the response. The full consultation can be viewed online at gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-proportionality-and-building-safety-outcomes-in-building-control-emergency-repairs-under-the-higher-risk-building-regime

Approved Document B

Now closed for comment, there have been two further and major consultations from the Government for which the IFSM has delivered contributions. They focused on improvements and additions to Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and the fire risk assessment profession.

None of the work outlined here would be possible without the knowledge, experience and engagement of the IFSM’s membership. As is always the case, we are here to help and represent our members at all levels. We welcome the views of all members when working on projects such as those outlined above.

If you have expertise, insight or opinions you would like to contribute to future consultations, research initiatives or developments in relation to qualifications then we most certainly want to hear from you.

Working together, we can continue to ensure that the voice of fire safety practitioners is heard loud and clear, wherever the future of our profession is being decided.

Vicki Swaine BEng (Hons) MIFSM MIFireE MCABE CMIOSH is a Director, Council Member and Technical Team Member at the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (www.ifsm.org.uk)

Members from across the globe gathered online and in-person in Stratford-upon-Avon for the 2026 AGM, which saw the appointment of Tony Cash CEng FIFireE and Shamsul Zaman who join the Board of Trustee Directors with immediate effect. A third position has been taken up by Nick Collins FIFireE. Collins has been re-elected for a second term.

The Trustees bring a wealth of experience and insight, play a significant role in advancing the IFE’s mission and also support the membership.

Tony Cash brings over 35 years’ worth of experience in combustion science, fire engineering, life safety, emergency planning and regulatory compliance across the road, rail, aviation, infrastructure, petrochemical and industrial sectors. He’s internationally recognised for delivering practical, risk-based fire safety solutions for complex and high-hazard environments.

Nick Collins remains on the Board for a second term. With a background in developing and improving competence and professionalism across the international fire sector, Collins has played pivotal roles in chairing the Membership and Registration and Education Board Committees, working closely with members and the team at IFE headquarters to develop and deliver the organisation’s strategy.

Strengthening governance

Alongside Tony and Nick, Shamsul Zaman joins the Board as a co-opted Trustee. He’s a senior assurance and risk leader with over 20 years’ experience in internal audit, enterprise risk and compliance across complex and highly regulated organisations. A qualified accountant harbouring extensive experience of working with Boards of Directors and senior stakeholders both here in the UK and internationally, through time Zaman has led initiatives to enhance risk reporting, embed data-led assurance and improve compliance frameworks across global operations.

Drawing on a diverse range of skills, experiences and perspectives, the Trustee Directors are committed to strengthening governance, supporting the organisation’s strategic goals and ensuring long-term sustainability. Their collective leadership marks an important step forward, setting the tone for continued growth, innovation and positive impact in times ahead.

The IFE extends its thanks to outgoing Trustee Directors Jason Hill and Peter Wilkinson who have both played pivotal roles during their tenures on the Board, duly guiding the organisation’s development and laying strong foundations for its continued success.

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

Supported by Headline Sponsor Apollo Fire Detectors, the Women in Fire Safety Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of exceptional women working across the fire safety industry, recognising those individuals actively driving innovation, leadership and higher standards.

Free to enter, the Women in Fire Safety Awards shine a light on excellence, while in parallel helping to increase diversity and representation within the fire safety profession. This year’s winners will be revealed on 15 October during a gala ceremony to be held at the Mercure London Earl’s Court Hotel and wholly dedicated to celebrating excellence across the industry.

The Women in Fire Safety Awards will be co-located with the Women in Safety and Health Awards (organised by Western Business Media and Health and Safety Matters, a sister title of Fire Safety Matters), thereby bringing together professionals from across both of these key sectors for a night of recognition, connection and inspiration.

Award categories

This year’s Women in Fire Safety Awards recognise excellence across a wide range of disciplines and categories as follows:

*Administrator of the Year

*Diversity Champion Award

*Excellence Award (Business)

*Excellence Award (Fire Consultant)

*Excellence Award (Fire Engineering)

*Excellence Award (Social Housing)

*Global Research Award

*Inclusive Company Award

*International Rising Star Award

*International Woman of the Year

*Rising Star Award

*Woman of the Year

Full criteria for all of the above categories can be viewed online.

*Entries for the Women in Fire Safety Awards are free. The extended deadline by which to submit any given entry is 14 August. Enter online NOW!

According to National Resilience data, Fire and Rescue Services in England and Wales have responded to 706 wildfires so far in 2026, with 208 incidents recorded between 16 and 28 July alone. There are currently eight live wildfire incidents being monitored through national reporting systems.

The latest figures – which don’t account for wildfires across the rest of the UK, including the major wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland – highlight how quickly wildfire activity can increase during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather, with temperatures forecast to rise again.

While wildfire numbers in England and Wales remain below the 788 incidents recorded by the same point in 2025, fire chiefs are warning that continued dry conditions, combined with warmer temperatures and harvesting activity in many rural areas, are creating conditions in which fires can start and spread rapidly.

Large-scale incidents

The NFCC’s warning comes as several European countries continue to battle significant wildfires. Large-scale incidents in parts of Spain, France, Greece and other areas of southern Europe have led to evacuations, environmental damage and significant pressure exerted on the Emergency Services.         

Although UK wildfires are typically smaller and different in nature to those seen in southern Europe, fire chiefs state that the long-term effects of climate change are increasing the likelihood of larger, more complex and more resource-intensive wildfire incidents occurring in the UK.

This year, the Government announced a new specialist wildfire capability, including strategically located wildfire response teams and a wider £97 million investment in National Resilience assets. Fire chiefs have welcomed the move, describing it as an important step forward in strengthening the UK’s ability to respond to increasingly complex wildfire incidents.

However, the NFCC is warning that climate change is driving a long-term increase in wildfire risk and that continued investment will be needed to ensure Fire and Rescue Services can meet future demand. This includes ongoing support for specialist wildfire equipment, trained personnel, national resilience assets and access to aerial firefighting capability that can actively support operational response during significant incidents.

Wildfires can place significant demands on Fire and Rescue Services, often requiring large numbers of firefighters, specialist vehicles and equipment, as well as support from neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services through national resilience arrangements.

Stark reminder

Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, explained: “More than 200 wildfires in just 12 days shows how quickly the risk can escalate when hot and dry conditions take hold. The scenes we’re seeing across parts of Europe are a stark reminder of what a changing climate means for Fire and Rescue Services. We’re not seeing fires of that scale in the UK today, but the science tells us we should expect larger, more frequent and more complex wildfires in the future.”

Garrigan continued: “That’s why we need continued investment in specialist wildfire capabilities, including aerial firefighting support, so that we’re fully prepared for the risks ahead. Prevention remains our strongest defence. Most wildfires are avoidable. As such, we’re asking everyone to take extra care during the hot weather in order to help keep their communities safe.”

Many wildfires are caused by everyday human activity. Simple actions such as disposing of cigarettes safely, avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in open spaces and taking litter home can significantly reduce the risk of fires starting.

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

Building Safety Regulator chair Lord Andrew Roe KFSM has stated that the watchdog will step up scrutiny of how main contractors manage supply chains, particularly so as projects move from Gateway 2 design approval towards Gateway 3 completion. His message is clear: better designs will not protect residents unless they’re delivered properly on-site.

Lord Roe has called for stronger evidence of management, accountability and quality control across sub-contracted work. The former London Fire Commissioner, who attended the Grenfell Tower fire, also warns that although the industry had made progress, weak oversight still poses an unacceptable risk.

“This is exactly the intervention the sector needs,” said Rachel Davidson, BESA’s director of specialist knowledge. “Demonstrating the competence and quality of the supply chain is no longer an option. Rather, it’s a fundamental element of meeting legal duties.”

Davidson continued: “Clients must have confidence that those whom they appoint have the skills, knowledge, experience, behaviours and organisational capability needed to deliver safe and compliant buildings.”

Member Pledge

BESA has asserted that the Building Safety Regulator’s warning reinforces the importance of its Member Pledge initiative, itself launched last year when leading BESA members committed to putting professional and technical competence at the heart of their operations, while in tandem requiring the same standards from their supply chains.

This has led to more supply chain firms applying for membership so they can demonstrate competence and compliance through the BESA’s independent technical audit system. The Association’s Competence Assessment Standard is aligned with the Build UK Common Assessment Standard and has been updated to align closely with the requirements of the Building Safety At 2022.

Further, BESA has stressed that the audit process focused specifically on whether companies could ‘actually do the job’ to which they were being appointed. Companies are reaudited every three years (or more often where required), giving clients stronger assurance that contractors not only meet quality requirements, but are technically competent to carry out their role.

Guide to the Act

The BESA recently published its Clients’ Guide to the Building Safety Act 2022, which sets out the legal duties attached to that role and how to keep projects compliant at every stage.

Additionally, it clarifies the specific requirements for HRBs, common pitfalls to avoid and the consequences when things do go wrong.

“Crucially,” concluded Davidson, “the Guide should also give contractors the confidence to challenge poor client decisions and procurement errors that could compromise safety or quality. Under the legislation, contractors are duty bound to refuse to start work unless they’re satisfied that the client fully understands their responsibilities.”

*For more information and targeted guidance visit the BESA’s dedicated Building Safety Act Hub

Based in East Grinstead, West Sussex (also the home of Western Business Media), the Queen Victoria Hospital is internationally recognised for its specialist reconstructive surgery, advanced burns treatment and expert therapy and rehabilitation services.

Importantly, the Queen Victoria Hospital – which was founded back in 1996 – actively supports children and adults who have experienced damage or disfigurement as a result of cancer, trauma, burns, major surgery, disease or congenital conditions.

Leading consultant teams at the facility deliver vital life-changing care services not only at the main hospital site in East Grinstead, but also across a wide network of clinics throughout the South East region, thereby ensuring that essential expertise is accessible for those most in need.

The Queen Victoria Hospital Charity (Registered Charity Number 1056120) proudly supports members of staff and patients, continually funding a range of initiatives including assistance towards cutting-edge medical equipment, improvements to wards and waiting areas in order to enhance the patient experience and the organisation of support for the health, well-being and professional development of all staff members.

In addition, the charity helps to fund ongoing research and educational work, enabling Queen Victoria Hospital to continue to develop new and innovative treatments for its patient cohort.

There are various ways in which to donate towards or otherwise support the Queen Victoria Hospital Charity. Contact the fundraising team via e-mail at [email protected], telephone 01342 414392 or send correspondence to Queen Victoria Hospital Charity, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ.

Further information is available online at www.supportqvh.org

Special moment

The charity partnership forged with Western Business Media and the Women in Fire Safety Awards comes at a special moment as the Queen Victoria Hospital celebrates its 30th Anniversary of providing the aforementioned life‑changing care and support to patients across the South of England.

Speaking about the partnership, Leanne Velez (head of commercial for the Fire Safety Matters portfolio at Western Business Media) stated: “We are honoured to welcome the Queen Victoria Hospital Charity as our 2026 charity partner and look forward to working together with the team to raise awareness and support for the incredible work they do in rebuilding lives.”

Free to enter, the Women in Fire Safety Awards 2026 – for which Apollo Fire Detectors is kindly serving as Headline Sponsor – purposefully shine a light on excellence, while in parallel helping to increase diversity and representation within the fire safety profession.

This year’s Women in Fire Safety Awards recognise excellence across a wide range of categories including:

*Administrator of the Year

*Diversity Champion Award

*Excellence Award (Business)

*Excellence Award (Fire Consultant)

*Excellence Award (Fire Engineering)

*Excellence Award (Social Housing)

*Global Research Award

*Inclusive Company Award

*International Rising Star Award

*International Woman of the Year

*Rising Star Award

*Woman of the Year

Full criteria for all of the above categories can be viewed online.

*Entries for the Women in Fire Safety Awards are free. The deadline by which to submit any given entry is 31 July. Enter online NOW!

According to the latest CROSS-UK Topic Paper, ‘Mind the Gap: Bridging the Gaps Between Structural and Fire Engineering’, some of the greatest risks in modern building design arise not within disciplines, but at the interfaces between them.

Drawing on the expertise of CROSS-UK’s Fire Safety Expert Panel, published research, industry guidance and reports from built environment professionals, the Topic Paper examines where ‘disconnects’ emerge between structural and fire engineering and how they affect building safety. While focused on the Building Regulations 2010 and Approved Documents in England, the findings are relevant across the UK’s construction sector and beyond.

Its central message is simple: safer buildings require closer collaboration, clearer accountability and a better understanding of how structural and fire safety interact throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Critical interface

Structural and fire engineering have traditionally evolved as separate disciplines. Structural engineers ensure buildings remain stable under normal and accidental loads, while fire engineers focus on fire behaviour, smoke movement, fire resistance periods and evacuation.

In practice, however, the disciplines are closely interconnected. Structural decisions influence fire safety strategies, while fire performance depends on how a building’s structure behaves under fire conditions.

As buildings become taller and more complex, and performance-based design becomes more common, unclear responsibilities at this interface increase the risk that important issues remain unresolved.

Post-Grenfell challenge

The Topic Paper comes at a time of significant change for the construction industry. Since the Grenfell Tower fire, reforms have placed greater emphasis on competence, accountability and managing safety risks, shifting the focus from demonstrating compliance towards demonstrating that risks have been properly identified and managed.

Against this backdrop, the Topic Paper asks whether current approaches to structural and fire engineering consistently deliver the outcomes intended by the Building Regulations. It concludes that important gaps remain, particularly so where responsibilities overlap.

Gaps to be bridged

The Topic Paper identifies six areas where disconnects commonly occur:

*Legislation: Regulations establish separate safety objectives for ‘structure’ and ‘fire safety’, potentially reinforcing a siloed approach between structural and fire engineering disciplines

*Guidance: Standards are often developed from individual disciplinary perspectives, in turn leading to fragmented approaches where structural and fire assumptions may not align

*Scope of services: Project teams may assume another consultant is addressing an issue, leaving responsibilities between disciplines undefined and critical tasks overlooked

*Insurance: Professional Indemnity Insurance arrangements can discourage consultants from engaging with issues perceived to sit outside their formal remit

*Competence and knowledge: Engineers need sufficient understanding of each other’s disciplines to recognise interfaces, identify conflicts and seek specialist input when required

*Industry co-ordination: Poor communication between consultants, contractors and specialists allows assumptions to go unchallenged and risks to remain hidden

Collectively, these gaps show that structural fire safety is as much about communication, co-ordination and accountability as technical design.

Limits of prescriptive design

The Topic Paper also examines the growing use of performance-based design. Traditional prescriptive requirements, such as minimum fire resistance periods, provide a clear route to compliance, but complex buildings increasingly require more flexible and performance-based solutions.

These approaches depend on assumptions about fire scenarios, structural behaviour and performance criteria. If those assumptions are not shared and understood across disciplines, significant risks can arise. A fire engineer may develop a strategy based on one set of assumptions while a structural engineer designs to another, with the mismatch only becoming apparent late in the project or after occupation.

The Topic Paper therefore argues that Parts A and B of the Building Regulations should be treated as complementary, with fire recognised as an accidental action and structural performance assessed under realistic fire scenarios rather than relying solely on prescribed fire resistance periods. This is particularly important for complex or high-consequence buildings.

Many assumptions about structural and fire performance are made during design, but lose value if they’re not properly recorded and communicated. Years later, building owners or refurbishment teams may not understand the rationale behind key decisions, increasing the risk that alterations compromise safety.

Maintaining clear records of assumptions, responsibilities and design decisions is a fundamental part of building safety, not simply an administrative task.

From compliance to confidence

Ultimately, the Topic Paper is less a technical guide than a call for a more integrated and risk-based approach to structural fire safety. It advocates earlier collaboration, clearly defined responsibilities and better communication throughout a building’s lifecycle, duly encouraging engineers to apply informed judgement and seek specialist expertise where needed.

The message is clear: compliance alone is not enough. Safer buildings depend on structural and fire engineers working together to ensure that critical issues don’t fall between disciplines. By closing these gaps, the industry can move beyond compliance towards greater confidence in the safety and resilience of the built environment.

*Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK) is a confidential reporting system which allows professionals working in the built environment to report on fire and structural safety-related issues. These reports are then published anonymously to share lessons learned, create positive change and improve safety. Further information is available online at www.cross-safety.org/uk