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Sitting alongside the industry-leading FIREX International event, IFSEC Global aims to provide professionals with the latest news, legislative updates and opinions from the world of fire safety – particularly focused on the UK market.

Fire safety has always been vitally important, and much of the current UK regulation stems from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (currently under consultation). The issue was very much thrown into the public spotlight in the UK following the events of the Grenfell Tower Fire, which led to the tragic deaths of 72 of its residents. The fallout of the disaster continues to be felt in the sector today, and at the time of writing, the Public Inquiry is currently in its second phase of assessing what caused the events on the night of the 14th June 2017.

Legislation is now moving at greater pace in the fire safety and construction sector than ever before (though many have argued not quickly enough), with the Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill both set to be implemented sometime in 2021. Keep up to date with these two key legislative developments at the links below:

Below, you will find critical guides to support in efforts to improve fire safety standards, while our latest news section covers breaking stories and updates to legislation that will impact on everyone from property owners, to fire safety consultants and fire risk assessors. You can also download IFSEC Global’s Fire Safety 2021 eBook here, which rounds up all the biggest stories of 2020.

 

Fire safety guides from IFSEC Global


The building safety occupation regime and the Golden Thread – filling in the details

In this article, Natalie Sellar, Managing Associate at Addleshaw Goddard, looks at the Safety Risk Regulations that came into force on 16 January, and provides further detail on how those responsible must manage safety risks at occupied higher-risk buildings. Read More

Fire Safety Enforcement Notices – What do you need to do?

IFSEC Insider hears from Hannah Eales, Partner at legal firm, Kingsley Napley, who provides an overview of fire safety notices, what they are and what happens if not complied with. Read More

Poll statistics steer National Apprenticeship Week towards a more inclusive fire sector

As part of National Apprenticeship Week (5-11 Feb), a recent poll revealed that 57% of responders believe that there isn’t sufficient awareness on diverse opportunities in fire-related apprenticeships. Read More

The planning, conduct and evaluation of emergency exercises in rail transport

Dr Tony Cash, an independent chartered Engineer and International President of the Rail Industry Fire Association sets out top considerations for the planning, design and conduct of major emergency exercises in rail transport. Read More

Fire safety boosted at specialised SEN school in London

SOCOTEC UK's Fire Engineering division provides fire consultancy services for the construction of a specialised SEN School in Southwark. Read More

How to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplace

Here, fire safety experts from SOCOTEC discuss how to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries to protect the safety of your people and your workplace. Read More

Competency, golden rules and design best practice – Panel discussion highlights from London Build

'Enhancing Building Safety Through Standardising Processes in Firestopping' was the title of a panel discussion held at the London Build Expo in November 2023, aimed at debating best practice in fire safety. Quelfire, sponsors of the event, provide an overview of the session. Read More

Defective cladding – a legal perspective

In a new collaboration with regular articles from legal firm, Kingsley Napley, IFSEC Insider hears from Partners, Hannah Eales and Claire Lamkin, who provide answers to common defective cladding questions. Read More

58% of unsafe buildings yet to start remediation works, government data shows

Data from the Department for Levelling Up and Housing and Communities monthly remediation report, shows that 58% of buildings identified with unsafe cladding are yet to start remediation works. Read More

Bristol landlords ordered to replace cladding deemed a fire ‘safety risk’

Landlords of a block of flats in Bristol have been ordered to fix cladding after surveyors found defects in the building. Read More