A worldwide coalition of over 80 fire safety organisations has launched a ‘Decade of Action for Fire Safety 2022-2032’, which aims to ensure an internationally consistent approach to the safety and management of buildings and infrastructure.
The launch of the Decade of Action for Fire Safety is backed by the UN and builds on the International Fire Safety Standard – Common Principles (IFSS-CP) published by the International Fire Safety Standards Coalition (IFSS) in October 2020.
The Decade of Action has set out to deliver a clear goal, performance-based objectives, framework, and common actions that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These aims can be defined as follows:
The IFSS Coalition, formed in 2018 and supported by the UN, is an industry-led global response to address the differing or, in some cases, non-existent requirements in countries across the world to fire safety.
Contrasting approaches have resulted in significant variations in the design, approval, construction methods, and operation of buildings and infrastructure, impacting fire risk.
Gary Strong, Chair of the IFSS Coalition, said: “Our coalition has worked hard to produce this globally applicable way to bring improvements and consistency in fire safety to buildings and infrastructure new and old, ultimately reducing the risk to lives.
“The goal is to stabilise and reduce the forecast level of fire fatalities, injuries, economic cost, and environmental impact around the world by 2032, despite an increase in population over this period.
“This new initiative is unprecedented, being the first agreement on fire safety actions on this international scale, with its development supported by the United Nations in line with its own sustainable development goals. It is the outcome of extensive work and worldwide expertise on fire safety drawn from over 80 coalition organisations, and will bring reassurance that the construction and management of buildings and infrastructure upholds appropriate fire safety standards, with improved training, education, and resources.”
To access the ‘Global Plan for a Decade of Action for Fire Safety’ PDF, click here.
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