The Market Conditions Survey gathers feedback from businesses across the fire industry, examining key factors such as the availability of skilled workers, apprenticeships, payment periods and fluctuations in supplier costs. This is a detailed analysis that offers a clear picture of the current landscape and the hurdles businesses are currently facing.

In parallel with covering these critical metrics, the report serves as a platform for FIA members and industry veterans alike to share expertise on the most pressing issues affecting fire safety today. Their contributions help to ensure that the review reflects real-life experiences of those at the centre of the sector.

For businesses, the FIA Market Conditions Survey is an essential tool for predicting trends and preparing for the future. By providing a comprehensive overview of present industry conditions, the 21-page document helps companies make informed decisions that can help drive growth and success in a dynamic and quickly evolving sector.

*Access the 2025 FIA Market Conditions Survey online at https://issuu.com/fireindustryassociation/docs/fia_market_condition_review_wave_17_2025

Member Value Proposition Brochure

In parallel, the FIA has released its new Member Value Proposition Brochure outlining the full range of benefits, services and opportunities available to FIA members.

The publication demonstrates how the FIA supports businesses and professionals across the fire industry through world-class training, technical expertise, compliance guidance and the delivery of a strong voice in shaping standards and legislation.

For over a century now, the FIA has championed professionalism, integrity and safety. This new brochure builds on that legacy, clearly showing how membership of the Trade Association helps companies to stay compliant, competitive and connected within a rapidly evolving industry.

Members benefit from up to 40% off selected training courses, as well as access to the FIA Technical Department for expert guidance on standards and regulations. The brochure also highlights the Route to Certification service and the Compliance Portal, which provide practical tools and consultancy to help businesses achieve and then maintain third party certification.

Powerful opportunities

Beyond compliance, FIA membership offers powerful opportunities for growth through networking, marketing and participation in industry events such as the FIM Expo and the FIA’s Annual Lunch. Members can also take advantage of exclusive partnerships offering preferential rates on HR, insurance, fleet management, cyber security and well-being services.

The new Member Value Proposition Brochure shows why the FIA remains the trusted home of fire safety professionals in the UK and beyond.

*Read the new FIA Member Value Proposition Brochure online at https://issuu.com/fireindustryassociation/docs/fia_member_value_proposition_2025

**Further information is available via e-mail at [email protected]

The number includes specialist Fire and Rescue Units, Command Units and Turntable Ladders vital for high-rise, Urban Search and Rescue and hazardous materials incidents.

The Trade Union suggests these figures expose an organisation “operating beyond safe limits”, while also outlining that senior management of the Fire and Rescue Service have proposed a budget containing “£6 million in cuts” and £12 million of further unidentified ‘savings’.

At the same time, the Trade Union asserts that the London Fire Brigade plans to “borrow heavily for estates and a new headquarters”, while in parallel reducing operational budgets.

Again according to the Trade Union, the proposed 2026-2027 budget for the London Fire Brigade removes the entire uniform allocation, reduces investment in critical communication systems and delays community risk management projects intended to make improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Manchester Arena attack and the culture review.

The Fire Brigades Union asserts that this approach amounts to a “false economy”, in turn risking firefighter and public safety.

Further havoc

Adam Shaw, regional treasurer for London at the Fire Brigades Union, observed: “This budget will determine whether London can rely on its Fire and Rescue Service when disaster strikes. If the London Fire Brigade cannot crew its fire engines or deliver its risk management plan, the Mayor of London and the Commissioner must act now.”

Gareth Cook, regional organiser for the Fire Brigades Union, commented: “It’s just over two years since the 2022 wildfire crisis when 39 fire engines were off the run during a major incident. We’re in exactly the same place now. The proposed austerity budget will only wreak further havoc on the Fire and Rescue Service. Londoners deserve better.”

Jon Lambe, regional secretary for London at the Fire Brigades Union, explained: “Senior leaders of the London Fire Brigade cannot claim to be keeping Londoners safe while 30 fire engines are unavailable due to cuts to firefighter crews. The Fire and Rescue Service is operating beyond safe limits. It’s overstretched and severely under-resourced.”

Lambe added: “On Bonfire Night, the Fire and Rescue Service received over 800 calls in London, yet we have fewer firefighters and resources to respond to increasing incidents due to years of cuts. We’re seeing millions of pounds being borrowed for property, while front line equipment faces being written off. This false economy will put the people of London at greater risk.”

The Scottish Government’s Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said the changes would be known as ‘Simon and Richard’s Law’ to honour the victims of the fire.

Secondary legislation has now been laid in the Scottish Parliament to fully implement recommendation four of the Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry. These changes to the law will extend the scope of installing sprinklers to include traditional buildings converted to hotel use. The ban on combustible external wall cladding systems will also be extended to include hotels, guest houses, hostels and boarding houses.  

These changes will come into force on 6 April 2026 if approved by the Scottish Parliament.

Màiri McAllan stated: “The deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson in 2017 at Cameron House Hotel were a truly awful tragedy. Siobhian Brown, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, and myself met with Jane Midgley to discuss these changes. I want to pay tribute to the Dyson and Midgley families and the strength of Ms Midgley for her tireless campaigning over the last few years to improve the laws that govern fire safety in Scotland.”  

McAllan added: “The Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of Simon and Richard made a number of recommendations, including for the Scottish Government to introduce a requirement for sprinklers to be installed when historic buildings are converted to hotels. I’m pleased to have introduced this change in law to the Scottish Parliament.

Further, McAllan asserted: “Simon and Richard’s Law will ensure that any future conversions of historic buildings in Scotland into hotels will be required to have sprinklers installed. This is part of a package of work we are taking forward as a result of the Cameron House Hotel fire to improve public safety in Scotland and reduce the risk of a tragedy like this ever happening again.”

The company was repeatedly warned by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service over the safety of five blocks of student housing located on New Elvet in Durham. The premises, which housed over 170 residents, was deemed by the Fire and Rescue Service to pose a significant risk of serious injury or death in the event of a fire.

Despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions issued by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service between October 2023 and April 2024, the company failed to take adequate steps to remedy the fire safety breaches.

During sentencing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on 5 November, Elvet Residences Limited was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £12,071 in costs to County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, along with a £2,000 victim support surcharge.

High culpability, medium harm

The Magistrates’ Court found the fire safety breaches to be of high culpability and medium harm, citing systemic failures in fire safety management.

Johnny Smith, head of fire safety at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust fire safety standards, notably so in buildings with sleeping accommodation. The safety of residents must never be compromised.”

Smith concluded: “This prosecution sends out a strong message to those with responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order and shows the Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to fire safety.”

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service urges all property managers and landlords to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and to act promptly on risk assessments and Enforcement Notices.

Speaking at the annual ‘Chiefs and Chairs’ event hosted by HMICFRS, Sir Andy Cooke introduced his third annual assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England. Cooke addressed leading figures from across the Fire and Rescue sector, including Samantha Dixon (the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy), Sir Andy stressed that the Government must now take the opportunity to increase the momentum behind long-awaited reform.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector welcomed the promising signs of progress in Fire and Rescue Services’ protection departments. Positively, Cooke said that most Fire and Rescue Services are also increasing their focus on improving productivity and supporting the well-being of their workforces. He’s also encouraged to see continued progress in the sector’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel’s recommendations.

However, Sir Andy urged Fire and Rescue Services to prioritise improving leadership at all levels and to create and maintain a positive organisational culture. This is essential for supporting lasting change across the sector and achieving better outcomes for the public.

Additionally, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector expressed concern about the competing demands facing protection staff and ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled officers.

Proactive approach  

Sir Andy also stated that Fire and Rescue Services need to take a more proactive approach towards improving efficiencies. For example, the highest performing services are investing in their IT and technology systems and committing towards developing effective internal governance structures.  

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector said that the Government must be decisive and follow through on its commitment to reform. Sir Andy has encouraged ministers to seriously consider granting the Inspectorate with greater powers to create accountability.  

In order to help Fire and Rescue Services make the improvements needed, Sir Andy has urged the sector to implement seven national recommendations, including precisely determining the roles of Fire and Rescue Services and their staff to remove any ambiguity, reviewing and reforming the systems for determining pay and conditions and affording Chief Fire Officers operational independence.

All of the recommendations have been made in previous annual reports, while some of them continue to remain unaddressed.

Crucial role

Sir Andy Cooke said: “Fire and Rescue Services have a crucial role to play in protecting the public and making communities safe. Every day, staff show unwavering dedication and professionalism.”

Sir Andy added: “It was encouraging to see improvements made in our latest round of inspections, particularly so the progress made in protection departments and the focus on improving productivity. However, persistent issues remain in some areas, such as values, culture and behaviour as well as  leadership. Until our outstanding recommendations are addressed in full, the sector will not be able to give the best service to the public.”  

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector noted: “Now is a valuable opportunity to refocus efforts and advance reform across the Fire and Rescue Sector, including extending our powers and establishing a College of Fire and Rescue. Reform will be vital to create a consistent, professional and accountable Fire and Rescue Service the public expects and deserves.”

Response from the NFCC

Fire chiefs have welcomed the new HMICFRS report, which shows the majority (73%) of Fire and Rescue Services in England have been rated adequate, good or outstanding.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) believes the findings are a clear reflection of the professionalism and dedication of Fire and Rescue Service staff who work tirelessly to keep their communities safe. However, the NFCC also urges increased investment in Fire and Rescue Services given that the report also highlights continued inconsistencies across the sector.

The NFCC asserts that, while it shares the Inspectorate’s concerns about variations in performance and capacity, there needs to be the correct infrastructure in place at a national level in order to drive up standards and increase consistency.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report recommended the creation of a College of Fire and the NFCC has welcomed the Government’s support for its establishment. However, the NFCC is now urging the Government to move swiftly from support to action, with urgent investment needed to ensure the College of Fire can be fully realised and deliver the transformational change the sector requires.

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan explained: “Fire and Rescue Services have continued to deliver in the face of rising demand, increasing complexity and constrained resources. The HMICFRS report reinforces what we have been saying for some time: that sustainable improvement requires sustainable investment.”

Garrigan also observed: “We want to see a sector where every Fire and Rescue Service can demonstrate the standards delivered by the very best. To achieve that, Government must ensure the right structures, funding and skills strategies are in place to support our people and protect the public. Investment in the College of Fire and in our workforce isn’t optional. It’s essential if we are to meet the changing and growing demands faced by Fire and Rescue Services.”

Uptick in incidents

The report highlights that Fire and Rescue Services in England have seen a 22% increase in incidents in the last decade, with non-fire incidents up 69%, placing further pressure on operations that have seen years of constrained budgets. This follows warnings from the NFCC in August that proposed changes to funding could see Fire and Rescue Services in England lose a further 2,300 firefighter posts on top of the 11,000 lost as a result of financial cuts since 2008. The NFCC has repeatedly called on the Government to reinvest in the sector to ensure Fire and Rescue Services are properly equipped and staffed to meet growing and changing risks.

The NFCC echoes HMICFRS’ concerns about the competing pressures facing Fire and Rescue Service protection (ie building safety) staff, with many departments struggling to recruit and retain skilled officers. This has the potential to impact the prioritisation of high-risk premises and public safety. The NFCC has previously raised this in its Remediation Position Statement and industry White Paper on Remediation, calling on the Government to create a comprehensive national skills strategy to build capability across the protection workforce.

The Inspectorate’s findings also emphasise the need for continued work on culture and leadership. The NFCC is supporting this through its People, Culture and Leadership Strategy, working alongside the Ministerial Advisory Group and the Inclusive Fire Service Group to embed lasting cultural change and improve leadership across the sector.

The NFCC also welcomes the Inspectorate’s recognition of its positive contribution to sector improvement, including the impact of its positive practice portal and financial benchmarking initiatives. These programmes are supporting Fire and Rescue Services to drive consistency, share Best Practice and improve outcomes for communities.

The Newham Community Project, working in partnership with the London Borough of Newham and supported by the London Fire Brigade, has published the findings from a peer-led intervention that reached delivery riders and international students: groups at the highest risk of suffering e-bike battery fires due to economic pressure, unsafe charging conditions in HMOs and unregulated conversion kits being purchased online.

The project, which has trained rider ambassadors and delivered safety workshops across rider ‘hotspots’ and universities, has distributed over 5,000 #ChargeSafe guidance leaflets and demonstrated measurable behaviour change, including the increased use of legitimate chargers, faster spread of safety messages through rider WhatsApp networks and more reports of unsafe batteries.

The project was prompted by a devastating fire in Manor Park in October 2022. Ten international students were forced to escape through the windows of their building after an e-bike fire in a communal stairwell blocked their exit. Four of them were injured, three hospitalised and all ten required emergency rehousing.

Peer-led education

Rozina Iqbal, director of operations at the Newham Community Project who led the action research, said: “We’ve seen the human cost of these fires first-hand, subsequently helping riders to access emergency accommodation, replace lost documents and rebuild their lives after losing everything in seconds.”  

Iqbal continued: “Our efforts prove that peer-led education works. Riders aren't reckless. They’re economically constrained. When trusted voices in their own communities offer practical safety guidance, behaviours change quickly.”  

Further, Iqbal noted: “Newham cannot solve this issue alone. Greater Manchester has shown that a Food Delivery Charter is possible. London doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. It needs to apply that proven approach here and resource London Boroughs like our own to roll out this community-led model across the capital.”

Co-ordinated framework

The report highlights that Greater Manchester has already implemented a comprehensive Food Delivery Charter, while London lacks a co-ordinated framework despite having one of the largest populations of delivery riders in the country.

The research underscores that community engagement is critical to preventing fires before they start. The project’s action research methodology – using workshop reflections, rider focus groups and ambassador field notes – showed that peer influence spreads faster than top-down messaging, particularly so among economically vulnerable groups working under extreme time and financial pressures.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari stated: “London is lagging behind, while the threat from unsafe e-bike chargers grows by the day. We need to see the Mayor of London and the London Fire Brigade step up their efforts to spread the word about just how dangerous unsafe e-bike batteries can be. That’s why the London Liberal Democrats are backing calls to bring in a Food Delivery Charter in tandem with rolling out this community-based approach across London Boroughs.”

Campaigners are calling for: 

*the Mayor of London and Transport for London to apply the Greater Manchester Food Delivery Charter approach in London and support the Borough-level replication of Newham’s proven community model 

*Government to resource enforcement and regulate unsafe modification kits and illegal modifications 

*delivery platforms to require compliant batteries and chargers during rider onboarding 

*universities to embed e-bike safety into student induction cycles

Members of the Fire and Rescue Service’s dedicated protection team found fire safety deficiencies during an inspection of the Grade II-listed premises on 21 May, which was conducted as part of a regular programme of visits to premises across the county.

On the day of the visit, the protection team’s officers found that the fire alarm system was faulty and may have been so dating back to 2021. As a result, an Enforcement Notice was served requiring the owner to rectify the faults.

At a follow-up inspection of the Sheep Street premises on 10 September last year, it was discovered that the hotel had failed to comply with the required actions in the Enforcement Notice. As such, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service took the decision to prosecute the business.

Sentencing details

Sentencing took place at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court on 4 November. Hind Wellingborough Limited was charged with breaching fire safety legislation. Marcus Holden, sole director of the company, had pleaded guilty on behalf of the defendant at a hearing conducted on 29 July this year.

Subsequently, the company was ordered to pay a £75,000 fine, as well as costs of £4,200 and a victim surcharge totalling £2,000.

Held to account

Scott Richards, head of protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We work very hard with businesses across the county to make sure that their premises meet the highest standards so they can ensure the safety of their customers and staff.”

Richards continued: “On this occasion, we gave the company every opportunity to rectify its fire alarm system, but it didn’t take any action to address these issues when we served the Enforcement Notice.”

In conclusion, Richards noted: “We never take the decision to prosecute a business lightly. We hope that the sentencing of this premises serves as a reminder that, should businesses choose to put their customers at risk, then we will take clear and decisive action to hold them to account for failing to keep people safe.”

As the demand for the Fire Cloak blankets continues to grow globally, the new website provides a dedicated home for customers seeking reliable information, technical data and verified certification.

Engineered and manufactured in the UK by Prosol UK, Fire Cloak is independently certified to DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11, the international benchmark for EV battery fire limitation.

“We’ve built our reputation on transparency and technical authority,” explained Mark Tamblyn, sales director at Prosol UK. “Customers want to know exactly how our blankets are made, how they’ve been tested and what standards they meet. This new platform reflects who we are: straightforward, proven and committed to providing the safest and most rigorously tested fire safety solutions.”

Designed to embody Fire Cloak’s brand promise (ie ‘Performance in step with progress’), the new website brings clarity to a complex subject. Visitors can explore detailed testing data, certification documents and deployment videos, all presented with the openness that has made Fire Cloak a trusted choice for the Emergency Services, automotive businesses and safety professionals.

*Further information is available online at www.firecloak.co.uk

The British Standard’s core aim is to promote a consistent approach to emergency lighting so that people can safely exit or remain in a building during emergencies, while also supporting the use of essential safety equipment.

BS 5266-1:2025 is a full revision of the previous edition, BS 5266-1:2016. The principal change introduced is the expansion of the scope. It now covers local area lighting and standby lighting in addition to emergency escape lighting.

This update reflects changes in related European standards (ie EN 1838 and EN 50172) and ensures BS 5266-1 remains relevant as the guidance document for their application in the UK. The revision strengthens the British Standard’s role in supporting fire safety and public safety commitments.

BS 5266-1:2025 is intended for a broad range of stakeholders who are responsible for (or involved in) the design, regulation and operation of buildings with public or communal access. These include local authorities and regulators, trade bodies and insurers, safety and fire safety professionals, built environment specialists, contractors, developers and engineers and ‘Responsible Persons’.

Applications for BS 5266-1:2025

BS 5266-1:2025 applies to emergency lighting systems used for three key purposes:

*assisting evacuation (helping occupants to leave a building safely during an emergency)

*protecting occupants who remain (ensuring safety when people stay in the building during an incident)

*supporting continued operations (enabling normal activities to continue if the normal lighting fails)

It also gives recommendations for lighting in areas with fixed seating and emphasises that it doesn’t apply to private dwellings, although it does cover common access routes in blocks of flats and maisonettes.

Key aspects include ensuring that escape routes are clear and illuminated, fire safety systems (eg Call Points and firefighting equipment) are accessible and panic risks are minimised in confined spaces such as lifts.

Legal and regulatory alignment

Using BS 5266-1:2025 ensures:

*legal and regulatory alignment (it supports compliance with UK fire safety requirements)

*public safety (helps to safeguard people in emergencies by ensuring reliable lighting in evacuation and refuge scenarios)

*consistency (encourages uniform application of emergency lighting systems across different premises)

*risk reduction (minimises hazards, panic and confusion during power failures or emergencies)

*adaptability (provides tailored guidance to suit varied categories of premises and occupant familiarity)

By following the updated British Standard, organisations will demonstrate a commitment to safety, resilience and Duty of Care.

*Further information is available online at www.bsigroup.com

All three fires are believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failures of lithium batteries for e-bikes. The incidents are yet another example of why the London Fire Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign, with e-bikes and e-scooters becoming one of the capital’s fastest-growing fire risks.

The first fire happened at a semi-detached house in Mitcham, prompting 26 calls to the Brigade’s 999 Control Room officers. Sadly, the whole house was destroyed in the blaze, as well as a car parked outside in front of the property. Fortunately, two women and four men escaped without injury, but were left with just the belongings they had on them at the time.

A fire in Bethnal Green started on the third floor of a block of flats and quickly spread to flats on the fourth and fifth floors. Fire investigators believe the fire was caused by an e-bike. They found two different-sized batteries with one charger and an e-bike in the third floor flat where the fire started. Four people and a dog were rescued from the building by firefighters: one was rescued via a ladder, another was carried down by firefighters and two were rescued using fire escape hoods. One woman was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service due to smoke inhalation. The flat was left uninhabitable.

Subsequent to that episode, an e-bike fire in Walthamstow gutted a ground floor flat. The owner had bought the converted e-bike from an online marketplace. It was on charge in the living room when the occupants heard a popping noise before toxic fumes were released and the bike burst into flames.

Catastrophic failures

Richard Field, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection at the London Fire Brigade, said: “The level of destruction each of these fires has caused cannot be underestimated. Three homes have been completely damaged by fire and smoke. It’s extremely fortunate that no-one has been seriously hurt.”  

Field continued: “In all three cases, these fires were caused by catastrophic lithium-ion battery failures. When these batteries fail, they can cause ferocious fires and the consequences can be devastating. We urge people who own these devices to follow the safety advice that will help to protect those around them and their properties.”

In addition, Field stated: “We want to urgently remind e-bike owners that using mismatched batteries and chargers, notably so incompatible or counterfeit ones, can cause serious fires such as the one in Bethnal Green. If the wrong charger is used, this can lead to the battery overheating, failing and starting a fire in seconds.”  

Further, Field observed: “We recommend that devices are never left charging unattended. At the Walthamstow fire, the owner was on hand to react when the charging battery burst into flames. If the fire had happened when the occupants were asleep, it could have been a very different story.”

Number of fires

As previously reported by Fire Safety Matters, the number of e-bike and e-scooter fires in a single year in London could be the highest yet. This year has seen an average of around 18 e-bike or e-scooter fires per month. If that trend continues for the remainder of the year, London will surpass 200 incidents in a single 12-month period for the first time.

Four people have died in fires caused by e-bike battery failures in London since 2023, while more than 100 people have been hurt.