On 20 April at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Markandayar Gowrikaran (the person having control of the premises at 20A St James Street, Brighton BN2 1RF) pleaded guilty to offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Specifically, Gowrikaran admitted failing to take the general fire precautions required at the premises, which he operated as an HMO.

On 20 July when appearing at the same Magistrates’ Court, Gowrikaran was fined the sum of £3,875, which included the statutory victim surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £7,075.31 to East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in respect of investigation time and costs.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of relevant persons from fire. This includes carrying out (and regularly reviewing) a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, implementing appropriate fire safety measures on-site, maintaining fire safety equipment, ensuring escape routes remain available and protected and providing suitable information and training where and when required.

Inspection process

Fire safety inspecting officers from the ESFRS first attended 20A St James Street on 14 February 2023 following concerns raised by the local authority regarding the storage of fireworks within the ground floor commercial premises.

During their inspection, officers identified a number of significant fire safety deficiencies affecting the HMO:

*the fire alarm control panel was displaying faults across multiple zones

*missing smoke detector heads

*a manual Call Point that wasn’t securely fixed

*the removal of a fire-resisting door protecting the means of escape

*combustible materials stored within communal escape routes and on the external fire escape

*a kitchen door opening on to the escape route that failed to fully self-close

*an inadequately protected electrical intake that was neither secured nor enclosed within suitable fire-resisting construction

These matters were then brought to Gowrikaran’s attention, together with the requirement to undertake and record a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment process.

Despite informal advice, the issuing of formal Enforcement Notices and a number of follow-up inspections, insufficient progress was made to remedy the deficiencies. Inspections carried out between February and December 2023 identified many of the same defects, with substantial remedial work not being undertaken until the early part of 2024.

Increased risk

Article 32(1)(a) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes it an offence for a ‘Responsible Person’ to fail to comply with the fire safety duties imposed by Articles 8 to 22 and Article 38 where that failure places one or more relevant persons at risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire.

By failing to address all the identified deficiencies within a reasonable period, Gowrikaran exposed occupants to an increased risk in the event of a fire. Had a fire occurred within the kitchen or electrical intake, the absence of adequate fire precautions could have allowed fire and smoke to spread more rapidly.

In addition, combustible storage within the escape routes increased both the likelihood of fire development and the potential for the obstruction of occupants attempting to evacuate the premises on a safe basis.

Legal duty

Station manager (legal and enforcement) Jake Kaye said: “Those responsible for fire safety have a legal duty to carry out and record a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Effective fire safety management is essential to reduce the likelihood of fire occurring and to ensure that, should a fire happen, it can be detected quickly and occupants are able to escape safely. Escape routes must be kept clear and protected at all times.”

Kaye added: “We continue to find that many HMOs with shared communal areas don’t have a suitable fire risk assessment in place. This remains a significant concern. The fire risk assessment is fundamental to identifying the measures needed to protect residents.”

In conclusion, Kaye observed: “We hope this prosecution serves as a reminder that those responsible for fire safety must comply with their legal duties and with any enforcement action taken by the Fire Authority. Where they fail to do so and place people at risk, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”

George O’Reilly, assistant director of risk reduction, explained: “I would like to thank Brighton Magistrates’ Court for its careful consideration of this case, together with our legal team and fire safety officers for their professionalism and commitment throughout the investigation.”

O’Reilly added: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue to take proportionate enforcement action where failures to comply with fire safety legislation place people at risk of death or serious injury.”

Legislative changes

Legislative changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought forward through the Building Safety Act 2022 require all ‘Responsible Persons’ to carry out and record a fire risk assessment taking into account the risks from fire to all persons legally on or in the vicinity of the premises.

The requirements apply to all non-domestic premises, such as where people work, visit or stay, including workplaces and the non-domestic parts of multi-occupied residential buildings.

*Further support and information can be accessed on the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service website at www.esfrs.org/fire-safety-legislation

In those instances where wildfires reach the urban fringe, the risk shifts from land and wildlife to homes, with firefighters facing extremely challenging incidents in which people have lost property and possessions as the flames reach residential areas.

According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the reality of the situation is that the risk is growing faster than the collective capacity to respond. Climate change, prolonged periods of extreme heat and changing land use are creating more frequent, larger and more complex wildfires. As such, the NFCC has commented: “We must ensure that investment is not only sustained, but also enhanced if we’re to keep pace with the risks now facing our communities.”

At present, a significant number of properties in Stourbridge in the West Midlands have been lost or severely damaged. Further properties in Sandwell, Stoke on Trent and Pershore are severely damaged.

Traumatic experience

Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, stated: “Our thoughts are with those families and communities who’ve been affected by these devastating fires. Losing a home and/or treasured possessions or being forced to leave your community is a traumatic experience that can have a lasting impact.”

Garrigan continued: “We also recognise the extraordinary efforts of firefighters, Control Room teams and support staff who continue to work around the clock in extremely challenging conditions to protect life, property and the environment.”

Further, Garrigan explained: “Recent incidents have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread and how the threat is evolving. Wildfires are no longer confined to remote rural areas. Increasingly, they’re threatening homes, businesses and critical infrastructure as they move from open land into urban and suburban communities.”

The NFCC welcomes the Government’s recognition of the escalating threat through recent investment in specialist wildfire capabilities and the Prime Minister’s decision to convene COBR in response to the current conditions. “The support and recognition of these risks is welcome and reflects the seriousness of the situation we are facing,” affirmed Garrigan.

New reality

Garrigan went on to comment: “Our new reality is that risk is growing faster than our collective capacity to respond. Climate change, prolonged periods of extreme heat and changing land use are creating more frequent, larger and more complex wildfires. We must ensure that investment is not only sustained, but enhanced if we are to keep pace with the risks facing our communities.”

While Garrigan agrees that it’s right to focus on the ‘here and now’, the NFCC is calling for a long-term wildfire strategy that reflects the changing nature of emergencies facing the UK. This would include continued investment in firefighters, specialist wildfire teams, training, equipment and national capabilities, including a dedicated aerial firefighting capability.

“The cost of preparedness will always be less than the cost of recovery,” said Garrigan. “We must act now to ensure Fire and Rescue Services have the resources required to protect communities from increasingly severe and complex wildfire events.”

The public also has a vital role to play. “Many wildfires are preventable,” outlined Garrigan. “At a time when firefighters are responding to multiple major incidents across the country, the most effective action anyone can take is to avoid activities that could ignite a fire.”

Shared responsibility

Garrigan observed: “We all have a shared responsibility to protect our communities. By making sensible choices and following local guidance, people can help to prevent further devastation, reduce pressure on the Emergency Services and keep firefighters available for those who need them most.”

In conclusion, Garrigan stated: “Every wildfire prevented is a home protected, a family spared the heartbreak of losing treasured possessions and firefighters freed to respond to other emergencies. Public vigilance and responsible behaviour are every bit as important as any piece of equipment in helping us to tackle this growing threat.”

The West Midlands Fire Service was alerted to a significant grass fire at Stourbridge Golf Course at around 1.30 pm on 13 August. At the height of the multi-agency response, which is continuing, upwards of 100 firefighters, 30 fire engines and no fewer than 11 specialist teams were at the scene.

Having spread rapidly, the devastating fire impacted 37 properties, 19 of which have been destroyed, while a further 18 have sustained substantial damage. The incident has covered an area of approximately 500 acres.

At this point in time, the cause of the fire isn’t known. Specialist fire investigators are working to establish the circumstances.

Macclesfield Forest wildfire

A major wildfire in Macclesfield Forest was officially declared closed shortly after 4.15 pm on 27 July following an extensive six-day firefighting operation involving Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies.

The incident began late afternoon on 21 July and saw firefighters tackle a large woodland and grass fire across difficult terrain in challenging conditions. At the fire’s peak, crews worked alongside Cheshire Police, United Utilities and forest volunteers to prevent the fire spreading further through the forest.

Throughout the incident, specialist wildfire firefighters used a range of equipment and tactics, including beaters, water backpacks, hose reel jets, thermal imaging cameras, drones and an all-terrain vehicle. United Utilities’ helicopter also played a crucial role, carrying out repeated water drops on affected areas from above.

Operational activity continued around the clock, with firefighters remaining on scene overnight each day to monitor the fire, identify hotspots and prevent flare-ups. Due to the remote location and difficult terrain, firefighting efforts required careful co-ordination and a sustained response over several days.

An investigation carried out during the incident identified a discarded disposable barbecue as the most probable cause of the fire.

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

The fire at an industrial building on 15 April in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire required 13 crews from three counties to bring under control. The blaze involved large quantities of industrial waste alongside buildings, timber and trailers. Firefighting operations didn’t conclude until ten days after the fire was first reported.

The Environment Agency has since launched an investigation, with part of its inquiry focused on whether the fire occurred on the estate itself or on land adjacent to it. It was the second fire in the area in eight years and the local MP has reported residents’ concerns over air quality, contamination and whether their health was being adequately protected.

Two weeks later, on 29 April, a fire broke out at a small industrial building in Bradford that handles rubber. The building itself was unremarkable in scale, but the firefighting response wasn’t. No fewer than 15 fire crews from across West Yorkshire attended with aerial support, while local residents were urged to keep doors and windows closed. The smoke plume was reported as far away as Brighouse. A neighbouring chemical plant temporarily halted operations so that crews could use its land to fight the fire.

Even the more recent fire at a recycling facility in Widnes on 23 June illustrates the point. The collection of products on-site was in the hundreds of tonnes, but the building itself was again unremarkable in scale. A total of 25 fire engines from Chesire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Wales and Merseyside attended the scene to contain the blaze.

Environmental footprint

When compared to fires in recent years, these were not large fires, but that’s precisely the point. A fire doesn’t need to consume a vast logistics centre to become a major incident. Fires starting in yards, in waste facilities, on adjacent land or in small ancillary buildings are increasingly tying up regional firefighting resources for days at a time, while their environmental footprint extends far beyond the site boundary.

Every such incident sends combustion products from plastics, rubber and mixed waste over nearby homes. Every hour of firefighting consumes vast quantities of water, with run-off carrying contaminants towards watercourses and land.

Further, every protracted incident leaves behind questions about air quality, monitoring and clean-up that communities are left to live with long after the crews depart. As the Environment Agency stated in relation to the Sutton Bonington fire, communities shouldn’t have to tolerate pollution.

According to the most recent fire statistics for England, industrial premises were the setting for 19,766 primary fires over the period 2014-2015 to 2023-2024, resulting in 1,071 casualties and 23 fatalities. Behind the headline figures sits a steady drumbeat of smaller incidents whose cumulative cost – in relation to firefighting resources, business disruption and environmental harm – rarely makes the national news.

Containing a fire at its earliest stage remains the best way in which to limit damage, protect the environment and minimise costs. Fire sprinkler systems have been proven to contain, control or extinguish fires in 99% of cases when caused to operate. A fire stopped in minutes doesn’t burn for ten days, doesn’t blanket a town in smoke and doesn’t generate thousands of litres of contaminated run-off.

Rethink required

What these incidents continue to show is that the Fire and Rescue Services’ ability to intervene in such industrial fires is challenged and the notion of a small industrial fire needs a rethink.

A fire involving a single building or a yard of stored materials can still demand crews from three counties, close roads, halt neighbouring businesses and leave communities worrying about the air they breathe. If incidents on this scale can flow from such modest beginnings, we should be deeply concerned about the far larger storage and distribution buildings being constructed across the country without sprinkler protection.

The pattern is a familiar one. Sites holding combustible materials such as waste, timber, rubber or plastics often lack the fire suppression and site management measures that would stop an ignition becoming an incident. By contrast, fires in sprinkler-protected buildings tend to be contained or extinguished before they can escalate, limiting damage, preserving business continuity and sparing fire crews as well as the environment.

Fire protection is environmental protection. As the ten-day operation at Sutton Bonington and the smoke over Bradford both demonstrate, the cost of a fire is never confined to the building in which it starts. It’s measured in the air above our towns, the water in our rivers and the weeks of disruption that follow.

Investing in proven fire protection is the surest way in which to keep that cost from being paid at all.

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

The event takes place on 16 October at the Whittlebury Park Hotel in Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8QH. The AGM is an important date in the IFEDA calendar and provides members with the opportunity to hear the latest Trade Association updates, review progress over the past year and discuss the priorities and developments that will assist in shaping the organisation’s future.

The formal AGM will take place during the day and is followed by an evening event giving members the opportunity to relax, network and catch up with colleagues from across the fire protection industry.

The evening includes a private bar, entertainment, a live DJ and a special raffle, with members offered the chance to win a one year IFEDA membership for free.

Simon Lyons MIFSM AMIFPO (national general manager at IFEDA) commented: “We would encourage all members to join us for what promises to be an informative, enjoyable and valuable day for the IFEDA community.”

*Further details regarding timings and the full programme will be provided to members ahead of the event. Visit www.ifeda.org

In alignment with BS 8674:2025 Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors – Code of Practice, published in August last year, fire risk assessors should be able to maintain and demonstrate competence across a broad range of fire safety disciplines.

The new courses from the FPA have been developed in recognition of the increasing demands placed on fire risk assessors and ‘Responsible Persons’. They cover a range of emerging fire safety challenges: from fire door compliance and arson prevention through to electric vehicle charging risks and emergency evacuation planning.

Among the new additions is Regulation 10: Fire Door Awareness for the ‘Responsible Person’, which focuses on helping duty holders to understand their obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The course explores the purpose and scope of Regulation 10, inspection requirements for fire doors, common fire door defects, compliance record-keeping and when specialist fire door inspection or remediation may be necessary.

Importantly, fire professionals will also gain an understanding of the concept of ‘best endeavours’ when inspecting flat entrance doors.

Deliberate fire-setting

Growing concerns around deliberate fire-setting are addressed through the Arson Risk Assessment and Mitigation course. Participants will examine the causes and consequences of arson incidents, identify and assess vulnerabilities across different premises and occupancy types and learn how to incorporate arson fire risk assessments into fire risk assessment practice.

The course also considers how professionals can apply relevant fire safety legislation, standards and recognised guidance around arson risk and recommend and justify proportionate arson prevention strategies and mitigation measures.

Responding to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the FPA has also launched Assessing Fire Safety for EV Charging and Installation. The programme is designed to improve understanding of lithium-ion battery behaviour, thermal runaway and the unique challenges associated with EV fire incidents.

Learners will understand how to implement legislation, standards and guidance, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, BS 7671, IET guidance, the Electricity at Work Regulations and RC59 Fire Safety When Charging Electric Vehicles.

Additionally, they will learn how to assess EV charging installations and evaluate building proximity, construction and compartmentation in order to determine potential fire spread risks.

Residential fire safety

Residential fire safety is another key area of focus. The Fire Safety in Purpose- Built Blocks of Flats course examines current legislation and guidance around purpose-built blocks of flats within a modern legislative and risk-based context, including the Building Safety Act 2022.

Topics include technical duties and accountability requirements as mandated by the Building Safety Act, how learners can interpret fire safety legislation and guidance in relation to residential blocks of flats, identify and prioritise risks commonly found in purpose-built blocks of flats and develop proportionate and evidence-based recommendations capable of withstanding regulatory scrutiny.

Supporting improvements in fire risk assessment quality, the FPA has introduced How to Write and Understand a Fire Risk Assessment Report. This course outlines the purpose and legal status of fire risk assessments, reporting structure, action planning and the distinction between hazards, risks, control measures and significant findings. It also aims to assist course participants in identifying weaknesses in reports and improve the clarity and quality of their documentation.

Further training has been developed specifically for duty holders through ‘Responsible Person’ Roles and Responsibilities: Legal Duties, Evidence and Compliance. The course examines the core duties of the ‘Responsible Person’, the significance of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act and the increasing importance of competence, co-operation and record-keeping in demonstrating compliance.

Participants will be able to evaluate whether fire safety evidence and records are suitable, sufficient, current and capable of demonstrating compliance.

Fire doors

The programme also includes BS 8214:2026 – Understanding and Applying the New Standard for Fire Doors, which explores the key changes introduced by the revised British Standard, including its shift towards an evidence-led approach and the impact on installation and inspection.

The course considers how roles and responsibilities are defined across the fire door lifecycle and also how professionals can apply appropriate terminology when compliance cannot be confirmed.

Completing the new offering is Understanding Residential PEEPs and Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments, which focuses on supporting vulnerable residents through effective evacuation planning. The course examines what Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are, why they’re required and how to recognise when a resident may need support with emergency evacuation (particularly so where mobility issues or other impairments may affect their ability to evacuate).

The CPD training also covers the purpose of having a person-centred fire risk assessment and evacuation statement and considers what reasonable and proportionate fire safety support looks like in practice, taking full account of resident needs, consent, building risk and escape routes.

Sharing the importance of fire professionals maintaining knowledge through ongoing CPD, Richard Glover (the FPA’s director of training and education) explained: “The new training courses from the FPA are a key part of our ongoing commitment to supporting competence development across the fire sector and helping professionals in responding effectively to what’s now an increasingly complex regulatory and operational landscape.”

*Bookings for the FPA’s suite of CPD courses are now open. Further details of each CPD course can be found online at www.thefpa.co.uk/training

The data – collected by QBE from Freedom of Information requests made to UK Fire and Rescue Services in February this year – shows that UK Fire and Rescue Services attended 212 fires involving solar panels in 2025. That’s more than double the total of 91 recorded in 2022.  

The findings emerge as the UK’s solar panel ‘revolution’ continues to accelerate. In March this year, the number of installations surpassed two million for the first time. As of May, there were 2,047,225 solar panel installations stretching across the UK.

Safety and risk mitigation

Adrian Simmonds, risk manager at QBE Insurance, stated: “Solar energy is a key component of the UK’s clean energy future and QBE fully supports its rapid expansion, but safety and risk mitigation must be the priority.”

Simmonds continued: “Our research shows that fires are rising at more than double the rate of installations, with DC cabling and connectors being the leading cause. These fires are often spreading to the wider building. It’s clear that installation quality and fire safety are not keeping pace with the speed of deployment. Safe solar panel installation and maintenance procedures are essential when it comes to reducing the number of fires.”

QBE’s research highlights the fact that the majority of incidents involving a solar panel took place in residential buildings, with 102 fires in 2025. This comes at a time when the Government’s Future Homes Standard mandates all new-build domestic properties to include on-site renewable energy generation from March 2028.

As more households are expected to adopt the use of ‘plug-in’ solar panels, QBE is urging homeowners to ensure that all solar panels are installed safely, kept ventilated and remain accessible in an emergency.

Solar panel fires taking place at commercial properties have witnessed a particularly sharp rise (from 33 fires in 2024 to 48 fires in 2025). That’s a 46% increase. Industrial buildings also saw a notable jump, from six fires in 2024 to 14 fires in 2025 (an increase of 133%).  

The rise in commercial and industrial property fires comes as the solar sector is poised for significant growth. The Government’s Solar Roadmap places commercial and industrial rooftop solar at the heart of the UK’s ‘Clean Power 2030’ mission, with plans to accelerate installations across warehouses, retail spaces and industrial buildings.

Complex buildings

QBE welcomes this opportunity for renewable energy sources, but at the same time warns that precautions are needed to mitigate fire risks on large and often complex buildings. Robust design, cabling and isolation systems can help to prevent and control fires, protecting property and business continuity.

The Freedom of Information request data reveals that DC cabling and connectors were the leading cause of fires in 2025, accounting for 49 fires in total and almost doubling from 26 in 2024, followed by the solar panel itself (36), the battery bank (23) and the inverter (19).

Simmonds explained: “The rise in fires linked to DC cabling and connectors points directly to installation quality. Loose connections, damaged wires and faulty wiring lead to arc faults and other electrical failures. Every solar panel system, whether on a home, a warehouse or a solar farm, should be installed using MCS accredited installers and consistently maintained.”

The rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries in solar panels is a continuing concern. Lithium-ion battery fires cause thermal runaway: a chemical reaction where batteries start to irreversibly overheat, usually due to impact damage, overcharging or overheating. Thermal runaway is unpredictable and ignites fires that spread faster and take longer to tackle than ordinary combustion, requiring up to ten times more water to contain than a conventional fire, thereby increasing the risk of injury and damage to property.

Recent research conducted by QBE also revealed that, on average, UK Fire and Rescue Services tackled a lithium-ion battery fire once every five hours in 2025. As battery storage becomes an increasingly common feature of solar installations, the risk of severe and fast-spreading fires is likely to grow.

Solar panel fires are not only becoming more frequent, but also more severe. The number of fires spreading beyond the solar installation nearly tripled between 2022 and 2025, rising from 33 to 88.

Key recommendations  

In conclusion, Adrian Simmonds observed: “Battery storage is now commonplace in new solar systems, but installation location is a critical and often overlooked risk factor. Units placed in confined or hard-to-access spaces, combined with infrequent inspection, create the conditions for fires that are both more likely and, what’s more, harder to contain.”

QBE recommends that homeowners and businesses should: 

*use certified solar panel installers (MCS-accredited) 

*conduct annual inspections and clean solar panels to prevent overheating or debris build-up 

*check that firefighters’ switches and arc-fault detection systems are correctly installed and accessible 

*avoid mounting solar panels on combustible roofs and ensure proper separation as well as the deployment of fire-resistant barriers 

*pay particular attention to DC cabling and connector quality at the commissioning stage and during annual service visits 

*ensure battery storage units are installed in well-ventilated and unobstructed locations that remain accessible for inspection and emergency response 

*inspect installations after extreme weather events such as high winds, hail or flooding

Detailed recommendations for construction professionals, property owners and installers are available in QBE’s Solar Panel Installation Risk Management Guidance, which can be viewed online at: Solar Panel Installation 2025: QBE European Operations

Injectaclad is a retrospective cavity barrier system: an intumescent material pumped along compartment lines within existing external walls to reinstate compartmentation where cavity barriers are missing or otherwise defective, and without removing the façade. It’s typically specified where an external wall assessment has identified the defect.

Light Science Technologies Holdings plc was already delivering Injectaclad on UK buildings through its passive fire protection division before the acquisition. It now owns the product as well as an installation capability, while also supplying the wider accredited network alongside it.

A dedicated distribution facility has opened at Light Science Technologies Holdings plc’s Manchester site, in turn shortening supply lines. The same location is being developed as a training base for the accredited installer network, which stands at 12 contractors across the UK, all supported on the same footing.

Additional operational and technical staff are being recruited at the Derbyshire headquarters.

Early trading since the deal’s completion points to demand. Five accredited installers committed to taking material through the group within a fortnight of the deal closing, while the first order following the acquisition was for a 19-week residential scheme in East Yorkshire.

Solid investment

Stephen Milward, technical manager at Injectaclad who joined the business before the acquisition and has stayed with it under Light Science Technologies Holdings plc’s ownership, said: “I’ve worked with this product for years. What has changed is the investment behind it. We have distribution, a training facility and more technical people on the ground. On a system where the quality of the install is everything, that’s what counts.”

Activity is concentrated in buildings both above and below 18 metres in height, with the product involved as a remediation system within schemes which have achieved Gateway 2 approval. Typical applications are multi-storey residential and student accommodation, hotels and care settings, school estates as well as modular and timber-frame housing.

As referenced, Injectaclad is a graphite-based intumescent pumped through small openings in the outer leaf along compartment lines to form a cavity barrier in situ, generally with existing insulation left in place. As the façade stays on the building, installation can take place from, among other options, MEWPs or scaffolding.

The system is tested to EN 1366-4:2021 with an extended field of application issued by UL International in May last year, achieving up to EI 120 depending on substrate pairing and cavity width.

For specifiers, the training investment may prove the most consequential part. The field of application requires installation by competent installers. A barrier formed inside a closed cavity is not open to straightforward inspection once complete, which puts weight on installer training and installation records as part of the evidence trail and golden thread of information.

*Further information is available online at www.injectaclad.com and www.lightsciencetechnologiesholdings.com

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.”