THE INTERNET of Things, Artificial Intelligence, connected data, wireless systems and Government guidance are all going to play their part in how fire safety evolves during the remainder of this year and into 2023. Nick Rutter shares his predictions for the sector.

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ON TUESDAY 29 March at 10.30 am, Fire Safety Matters hosted another webinar in its ongoing CPD series. The focus on this occasion was ‘Flexible Evacuation Solutions to Meet BS 8629’. Brian Sims reviews what was said on the day by subject matter experts from webinar sponsor Advanced and Veritas Fire Support Services.

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THE SUBJECT of competency in relation to fire safety was brought to the fore in the wake of Grenfell Tower and Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. Here, Justin Maltby-Smith discusses the importance of confirming competency and individuals’ responsibilities within the ‘golden thread’ of fire safety.

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THE LATEST research involving UK heating engineers has identified a significant increase in the number of dangerous appliances across the nation being installed or poorly maintained due to the repercussions of COVID-19, with many individuals delaying crucial annual servicing. Steve Boggis and Craig Drinkald outline how every area of the industry can work together to ensure the highest standards of protection.

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ON TUESDAY 23 November last year, the Government published the results of a consultation proposing an extension to regulations for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms applicable to all rented properties within England. Andy Speake explains the requirements of the new legislation and outlines how to comply.

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EVERY FALSE fire alarm is costly, but in a COVID-aware world, there’s now even more pressure on management teams operating in the leisure, retail and hospitality industries to prevent such alarms occurring at their premises. Liam Hunt elaborates on the detail.

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COOKING EQUIPMENT, careless smoking and electrical malfunctions are three of the leading causes of fires in hotels. Aside from the serious threat to life and property posed by genuine fires, Neil Parkin observes why any failure to provide and maintain high-quality fire protection measures can realise other equally dire consequences.

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WHEN ELECTRICIANS are required to install fire alarm and fire detection systems within domestic premises, it’s often the case that the design of such systems is effectively undertaken by others (for example, manufacturers or housebuilders). Is that the best way forward in terms of meeting British Standards? Tim Benstead investigates.

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EVER SINCE the first wireless-based detection technologies were installed more than 20 years ago, manufacturers have been innovating to convince an often sceptical audience that such systems are at least comparable, and in some ways superior, to their hardwired cousins, as Derrick Hall duly observes.

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IN JUNE 2017, the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, a block of flats in West London, claimed the lives of 72 people. In the aftermath of the episode, questions were asked about the safety and security of high-rise buildings, writes Michael Knibbs.

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In the May 2021 edition of Fire Safety Matters (‘On the Bill’, pp20-21), the focus was on Royal Assent for the Fire Safety Bill to become the Fire Safety Act 2021, its implications for the fire sector and for ‘Responsible Persons’. This time around, Stacey Adams delves further into the revamped regulatory environment created by the Act, the implications for existing legislation and reviews the timescales for implementing the new requirements

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WHEN ELECTRICIANS are required to install fire detection and fire alarm systems within domestic premises, it’s often the case that the design of such systems is effectively undertaken by others (for example, manufacturers or housebuilders) writes Tim Benstead. For domestic installations, such designers may detail what types of alarms should be installed and where and then provide the alarms specified.

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The protection of large premises from fire presents a specific challenge for system designers. The first issue to address is the rapid and reliable detection of smoke. Experience has shown that optical beam smoke detectors offer an excellent solution. Nigel Ward details how recent developments have made this option even more attractive

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Those industry professionals visiting Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in early September to attend Nineteen Group’s Safety and Security Series will be privy to the UK’s largest group of events wholly dedicated to protecting people, property and assets. Here, Fire Safety Matters takes a look at what’s in store for practitioners at The Fire Safety Event

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From 7-9 September, The Fire Safety Event makes a triumphal return to the NEC in Birmingham, with organiser Nineteen Events promising a show that’s bigger and better than ever. Here, Fire Safety Matters learns all about what’s on offer for visitors and seminar delegates from event director Tristan Norman

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AS PART of 2021’s Dementia Action Week (which runs from 17-23 May), Claire O’Meara shares some perspectives on how today’s fire safety-centric technology can help safeguard tenants with dementia.

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With the fire sector one that operates across the devolved nations, Andy Speake outlines why sector professionals should be pushing for greater and clearer legislation that makes requirements consistent as the current situation leaves many who are not experts in the fire arena confused and unsure as to what to fit in terms of system solutions

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National guidance issued by the Government, the Fire and Rescue Services and other important bodies strongly recommends the level of competency within the fire safety industry that practitioners should be striving to attain. Here, Stephen Adams discusses in detail the current competency landscape

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Ever since the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, the $64,000 question to be answered is how might the industry solve the myriad safety issues around tall buildings. This question itself poses many further ones and, as Ray Puttock discovers, almost inevitably delivers a multitude of answers

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Minimising the risk to life as a result of a fire involving external wall systems is crucial, yet in cases of buildings containing flats, alternative housing options can place people in worse living conditions or even leave them without accommodation altogether. Such that people can continue to live in relative safety in their own homes, Ken Bullock explains why interim solutions are vital for mitigating the risk

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The multilayer PCB segment is a big part of our production. In order to support this important segment, we have developed long-standing relationships with a broad factory base. The factories are carefully selected in our sourcing process.

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