AS WE continue to step into the New Year, and reflect on fire incidents from 2024, one key question immediately springs to mind: ‘How long does it truly take to recover from and then rebuild after a devastating fire? The lingering scars of fire disasters across the UK remind us all of the enduring challenges involved in recovery and reconstruction, writes Tom Roche.

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2024, STATES Philip White, marked the shift from groundwork to meaningful action. There has been a demonstration of what’s possible when unity develops behind a shared goal, but that’s just the beginning. The long-term journey is all about building and managing a safer and more accountable built environment for everyone.

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THE NEW Year is upon us, writes Tom Roche, which means many of us will be starting to plan our 2024 vacation, while others will be scheduling work trips. In booking your accommodation, though, have you ever spared a thought for fire safety? We normally take such important matters for granted in these premises. It’s well worth remembering why we shouldn’t.

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OVER THE last decade, carbon monoxide poisoning has caused an average of 162 deaths yearly in the UK. That’s equivalent to one life being lost every few days. Here, Ian Ballinger shares some expert insight on achieving carbon monoxide compliance and future-proofing properties.

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JUNE 2022 witnessed the publication of the amended Part B of the Building Regulations and with it new mandatory requirements for evacuation planning. Here, Ken Bullock explains the changes in detail.

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FOLLOWING THE Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017, where 72 people lost their lives, high-rise building owners and operators across the UK have been charged with ensuring that fire safety and evacuation procedures are the absolute best they can be in their buildings. What’s the current state of play? Hochiki Europe has the detail.

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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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AS REGULATIONS continue to be enacted restricting the use of Class B firefighting foams containing fluorosurfactants termed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all foams containing PFAS will soon become defunct, with aqueous film-forming foams, film-forming fluoroprotein foams and fluoroprotein foams being phased out. Ian Ross describes the regulatory changes ahead, key considerations and the questions that should be asked when planning the transition to F3 foams.

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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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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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FIREFIGHTING IS a life-threatening job, with every shift bringing dangerous incidents such as fires, floods, storms and road traffic collisions. Alongside risks including heat exhaustion, burns and mental stress, other less visible hazards pose a threat to firefighter safety. In a timely move, functional footwear expert HAIX Group has now issued Best Practice advice on how to thoroughly clean and decontaminate firefighters’ boots to help prevent a build-up of dangerous contaminants and protect wearer safety.

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WITH MORE and more manufacturers and businesses becoming aware of the importance of fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent legislation (including the Fire Safety Act and the Building Safety Bill), greater steps are now being taken to ensure that all products in buildings are as fire-resistant as possible. However, an item that is usually overlooked in this area is the humble doormat, writes First Mats.

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As live events begin their return in the UK, The Emergency Services Show at the NEC on 7 and 8 September 2021 represents the first opportunity for the entire UK Emergency Services community and its supply chain to gather as one for Best Practice advice and networking. Fire Safety Matters previews what’s on the agenda in Birmingham

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FOUR YEARS on from the Grenfell Tower disaster we mourn those who died, writes Reece Goodman, but also take stock of what has happened since then.

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Flame resistant, flame retardant, fire resistant, fire retardant. Is there a difference? Which is the correct choice of ‘FR’ for your team? Reece Buchner explains some of the standards and regulations today’s organisations need to be aware of when making their decision on Personal Protective Equipment

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THE RECENT publication of the Government’s draft Building Safety Bill confirms its commitment to putting safety at the heart of all future building design and development. Here, Ges Wallace discusses the document and what it could mean for the future of our built environment.

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AS THE role of door hardware expands and fire safety continues to make the headlines, Karen Trigg outlines in detail the importance of hardware selection and reminds decision-makers of how routine checks can save lives.

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In an exclusive interview for Fire Safety Matters, Western Business Media’s CEO Mark Sennett chats with Paul Pope (Group business development director at Global Fire Equipment and also a director of the Fire Industry Association) and Mike Tobin (chair of the Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association) about the current ‘State of the Nation’ in the UK’s fire industry. The impact of COVID-19, the overriding need for competency and the likely effects of Brexit are very much under the microscope

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PUBLICATION OF the draft Building Safety Bill signals the biggest changes to fire safety in 40 years through improved regulations designed to aid the construction industry as a whole.  Here, Mick Hill explores the importance of providing a ‘golden thread’ of building information by specifying components, including bi-directionally fire-tested riser doors, that offer the highest standards in terms of compliance and performance.

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AS AN industry, we’re now well versed and experienced in the value of sprinkler systems. Here, James Broadest explains precisely why it’s crucial to deliver continuing education on this matter so Government bodies and building owners alike recognise the truism that substantial costs – and lives – can be saved thanks to retrofitted fire sprinklers.

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