On 19th May at FIREX International, Rob Barber was appointed as the new Chair of the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN). IFSEC Global got the chance to chat with Rob at the event, to find out a little more about the NFSN’s goals and Rob’s role moving forwards.
Rob was appointed Chief Fire Officer with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in October 2021, having joined Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1997 and has worked throughout the county in all operational roles. Rob was the project coordinator for the fire control project, and then went onto the business transformation team before moving into the fire control project. Rob became a Principal Officer in 2014, gaining the Deputy Chief Fire Officers job in 2016.
In the interview, we asked about the NFSN’s position on the use of sprinklers, with Rob explaining that the Network’s research has shown that sprinklers are “94% reliable and 99% effective, so that when they do go off, on 99% of occasions they’re dealing with the fire in its entirety”.
He also explained how stakeholders can fully understand fire risk and the potential outcomes, when lives, the built environment and communities are all affected. Watch the interview in the video below!
Find out more about the National Fire Sprinkler Network.
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