Arab States fire simulation examines preparedness at petroleum facility

Preparedness tested in Radès simulation

A regional workshop on fire risk prevention included a large-scale simulation at a high-risk petroleum facility in Radès from 6 to 8 April.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States said the workshop was organised by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in collaboration with Tunisia’s civil protection authorities.

The exercise tested inter-agency coordination and emergency response systems.

Participants applied preventive planning frameworks in a realistic operational setting.

The simulation was also used to identify gaps in preparedness and response.

Workshop sessions examined fire risk management in complex urban and industrial systems.

Discussions covered artificial intelligence and predictive tools in fire risk analysis.

Participants also reviewed engineering standards, international best practices, emergency management and business continuity planning.

Regional cooperation and preventive planning

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States, the workshop also focused on regional cooperation, innovation and institutional coordination in fire risk management.

Participants discussed smart systems for early detection and monitoring.

They also examined predictive modelling for risk assessment and analysis, alongside systems linking safety, infrastructure and operations.

The workshop highlighted coordination between civil protection authorities, municipalities and infrastructure operators.

Discussions also addressed institutional capacity, training systems and awareness across sectors.

Raidan Alsaqqaf, Deputy Chief of Office at the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Office for Arab States (UNDRR ROAS), said: “What makes this workshop particularly impactful is the strong link between knowledge and practice.

“The simulation in Radès demonstrates that effective disaster risk reduction requires not only planning, but the ability to test systems, coordination, and readiness in real conditions.

“Across the Arab region, there is a growing recognition that investing in prevention, innovation, and coordination is essential to managing increasingly complex risks, particularly in critical infrastructure.”

Participants also called for wider use of preventive planning approaches, broader deployment of innovative technologies and stronger cross-sector coordination.

North East rail safety patrols stop lineside fires using drones

Lineside fires stopped during Easter patrols

Network Rail has used drone technology during Easter anti-trespass operations across Teesside, County Durham and the North East, including incidents where two lineside fires at Seaham and Horden were prevented from spreading without disrupting services.

Network Rail said the joint rail safety operations ran from 7 to 17 April in partnership with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Northern, with activity focused on known trespass hotspots.

The two-week programme is in its sixth year and forms part of anti-trespass prevention work aimed at reducing unsafe behaviour on and near the railway.

Specialist teams worked on the railway alongside BTP officers and Northern staff, using drones to monitor hard-to-reach areas, identify risks early and respond before incidents occurred.

Network Rail mobile operations managers were deployed in road vehicles and onboard trains, working with BTP officers and Northern colleagues to identify incidents.

During the first week, joint patrols were carried out between Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Drone operations around stations and sidings in the region prevented two lineside fires at Seaham and Horden from escalating, with no disruption to services.

On both occasions, the individuals fled after spotting the drone.

Phil Gowland describes how patrols operate

A mobile operations manager recorded the youths and used a thermal imaging camera to track them as they tried to conceal themselves in nearby trees and bushes.

Once they had moved away from the railway, the mobile operations manager extinguished both fires fully and confirmed it was safe for train operations to continue.

Phil Gowland, Network Rail local operations manager, said: “The Easter school holidays are a key time for us, and this is the sixth year we’ve run this anti-trespass prevention activity.

“The aim is simple: to get the message out that trespassing is dangerous and not acceptable, particularly for young people.

“What we tend to do is have a colleague in the cab of a train.

“If they spot someone trespassing, they can radio straight through to a BTP patrol vehicle that’s travelling alongside the route.

“That means our response time can be as little as five minutes, and we’re able to get there quickly and deal with it.

“The use of drones has been a real game changer for us.

“We now use them in specific hotspot areas where we’ve had ongoing trespass issues.

“They’ve helped us stop fires, identify landslips and even catch people just before they step onto the railway.

“Being able to warn people early and prevent danger has been hugely beneficial.”

This week, from 13 to 17 April, operations expanded to include Eaglescliffe to Saltburn, Billingham to Nunthorpe and the Darlington to Bishop Auckland line, with patrols again focused on known trespass hotspots using drones and ground teams.

Gowland added: “I’ve seen first-hand what can happen when people trespass, and it’s not nice – not for the individual if they’re injured or worse, and not for our colleagues either.

“The good news is this approach works.

“We see a significant reduction in trespass during and after these operations, particularly over Easter and the summer holidays.”

Network Rail said the Easter patrols form part of its longer-term work with train operators and the police to keep passengers, staff and local communities safe.

Siderise introduces dedicated fire protection for precast concrete facades

Siderise launches dedicated precast range

Siderise has launched the PC-FS Firestop and PC-CB Cavity Barrier range, described as the UK’s first commercially available passive fire protection package developed specifically for precast concrete cladding systems.

Siderise said it previously supported precast concrete façade applications with its CW-FS Firestop and reapproached the application in response to demand for these external wall systems.

The new range was developed as a dedicated solution for systems with tight tolerances and limited access.

It was also developed to address difficult interfaces and construction sequencing.

Product design and fire test details

The stone wool Lamella core provides built-in compression and uses a bracket-free fix for narrow voids.

Siderise said this contributes to faster installation times when compared with less compressible barriers.

PC-FS Firestop and PC-CB Cavity Barrier can also be fitted from above or below the slab.

The company said this supports projects where topside access is restricted or where sequencing requires a different installation route.

Both products are tested to EN 1366-4 and EN 13501-1 standards.

Siderise also cited supplementary fire test evidence for precast concrete panel bracket penetration and end of flexible wall configuration.

The supplementary evidence also covers firestop bracket securement to the underside of the slab edge.

Fire resistance and technical support

The firestopping products PC-FS60 and PC-FS120 offer third-party certified 1 hour and 2 hours of fire resistance respectively.

The cavity barrier PC-CB30 offers 30 minutes.

Siderise said the range is supported by technical services and specification resources.

These include a specification pack with technical information and guidance on joints and complex details such as blade column interfaces and other challenging geometries.

SOCOTEC reports integration progress after Lloyds Datum acquisition

SOCOTEC acquisition reaches six months

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has marked six months since completing its acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group, with the business reporting progress on integration and joint project delivery across the UK and Ireland.

SOCOTEC stated that the acquisition was intended to strengthen its infrastructure, civil and geotechnical capabilities, with Lloyds Datum Group bringing specialist services including pile foundation testing, structural and geotechnical monitoring, and anchoring and micro-piling solutions.

The company said these services have added to SOCOTEC’s existing offer in the UK and Ireland and widened its geographical footprint.

It said Lloyds Datum, which is delivering as Lloyds Datum, has already worked with SOCOTEC on projects that would not have been possible in the same way before the acquisition.

Projects named in the update include Dynamic Pile Load Testing in Dundee, Great Yarmouth Quayside and the Transpennine Upgrade, along with Thermal Integrity Profiling at Greystones Lifeboat Station, Crosshole Sonic Logging in Dublin and Maintained Pile Load Testing in Newark.

SOCOTEC integration and geographic reach

SOCOTEC said the integration has followed what it described as a measured approach, with operational continuity and specialist expertise kept in place during the transition.

The company stated that Lloyds Datum has retained core parts of its existing operation while gaining access to SOCOTEC’s scale and resources.

Through Lloyds Datum, SOCOTEC said it has strengthened its presence in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland alongside its existing UK footprint.

It added that the combined business is starting to see cross-selling opportunities, with each side gaining access to the other’s services and equipment.

SOCOTEC said this broader offer is helping it compete for larger multidisciplinary projects as integration continues.

Nigel Dillon, Managing Director – Lloyds Datuma, said: “It has been a really positive and enjoyable first six months within the SOCOTEC Group.

“The collaboration between SOCOTEC and LD will continue to evolve, with further joint projects, shared systems and career opportunities expected as integration across the Group grows.”

The company said the next phase will focus on deeper integration across systems and processes, more joint project delivery, revenue growth through cross-selling and defining Lloyds Datum’s role within the group.

FPA raises building safety concerns over fibre cabling proposals

Building safety concerns in telecoms works

The Fire Protection Association (FPA) has warned that relaxing oversight of telecommunications work could increase risks to life and weaken fire compartmentation where penetrations through fire-resisting construction are poorly managed.

In its response to the government consultation Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building Control: Telecommunications work, the FPA said concerns from its membership centred on penetrations that are inadequately reinstated after work is completed.

The consultation response states: “building control procedural requirements and the drilling of holes for anything, including fibre-optic cabling, are two separate issues.

“The procedural requirements ought to guarantee the fire safety protection measures are compliant.

“If they do not then they are the wrong requirements.”

The FPA said even minor works can create serious risks when fire-resisting elements are breached.

It warned: “There is the potential for the spread of fire or smoke through deficient fire protected structure which may lead to a Risk of Death or Serious Injury.”

The response added that FPA members “generally view the risk from uncontrolled drilling and inadequate fire-stopping as high.”

Records and oversight

The FPA said accurate and current as-built drawings are often not readily available in many buildings.

It stated: “In many buildings, accurate and up-to-date ‘as-built’ drawings are not readily available, making it difficult for installers or Responsible Persons to confirm whether a wall is fire-resisting or to verify its original level of protection”.

The response said this uncertainty can leave breaches inadequately sealed and undetected for long periods.

It also warned that reducing notification or approval requirements could make unsafe works invisible to enforcing authorities.

The response states: “There is a very clear risk of works being permitted under dispensations that allow them to become invisible to enforcing authorities,”

It said this could remove the requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Authorities on material changes to occupied premises.

FPA opposes blanket dispensation

Drawing on lessons cited in its response, the FPA referred to the 2009 Lakanal House fire and said the systematic deconstruction of fire resistance over time and across multiple refurbishments led to horizontal and vertical fire and smoke spread.

Survey feedback from members strongly opposed any blanket dispensation for fibre-optic cabling works.

The response reported that “most felt it would not be appropriate to reduce or remove building control procedures for drilling holes for fibre-optic cabling, even with assurances that safety would be maintained”, and said many emphasised that “any penetration through fire-resisting barriers requires proper controls, documentation, and oversight.”

The FPA said any proportionate approach should rely on competence, assurance and traceability, including tested and approved fire-stopping products, clear records of work and effective handover information for building owners and accountable persons.

It concluded that weakening procedural safeguards without robust alternative controls would be unjustified and warned: “It is not reasonable to presume, without reliable evidence, that work affecting fire protection will be done to an appropriate standard.”

Why this fire safety ruling matters for insolvent contractors

Fire safety orders granted in Portsmouth case

The High Court has granted two Building Liability Orders in proceedings linked to fire safety defects at the Admiralty Quarter development in Portsmouth.

Gateley Plc said the Technology and Construction Court ruled that associated Ardmore group companies could be jointly and severally liable for an unpaid adjudication award of about £14.9 million and for any future liability that Ardmore Construction Limited (ACL) may be found to owe.

The claim was brought by entities within the Crest Nicholson group of companies, which acted as developer and headlease proprietor of the residential scheme.

Admiralty Quarter was completed between 2007 and 2009 under a design and build contract with ACL as principal contractor.

Crest alleged defects including combustible insulation, missing and defective cavity barriers, deficiencies in fire stopping and compartmentation, and further issues said to render parts of the development unfit for habitation.

ACL entered administration in August 2025, one day before an adjudicator issued a decision awarding Crest about £14.9 million in relation to fire safety defects in the external wall systems.

Court sets out scope of the orders

Gateley Plc said Crest applied for two forms of relief under sections 130 and 131 of the Building Safety Act 2022 following ACL’s insolvency.

The first application sought an anticipatory Building Liability Order so that any liability ACL may ultimately be found to owe under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972, or as a result of a building safety risk, would also be the joint and several liability of associated Ardmore group companies.

The second sought an adjudication Building Liability Order to make those same associated companies jointly and severally liable for the adjudicator’s unpaid award.

The Ardmore group defendants accepted that they were associates for the purposes of the Building Safety Act 2022.

They argued that the application was premature, that it was not just and equitable to make the orders at that stage and that an adjudicator’s decision could not amount to a relevant liability under section 130.

Mr Justice Constable held that the Court has jurisdiction to make anticipatory Building Liability Orders before liability is finally determined.

He also held that an adjudicator’s decision can constitute a relevant liability for the purposes of section 130.

Judgment addresses adjudication and future liability

Gateley Plc said the Court found that Building Liability Orders form part of a wider legislative scheme intended to ensure that those responsible for historical building safety defects bear the cost and that liability cannot be avoided through corporate structuring or insolvency.

Mr Justice Constable stated at paragraph 192 of the judgment: “a conclusion that adjudication is fundamentally incompatible with the application of BLOs would deprive the construction industry of the use of one of the most important dispute resolution tools from which it has benefited significantly over the last 30 years.”

At paragraph 193, he added: “building safety matters, in the wake of Grenfell Tower, have given rise to what is probably the single largest area of construction disputes in recent history, if not ever.”

The Court ordered that any liability ACL may ultimately be found to owe under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 or as a result of a building safety risk will also be the joint and several liability of the associated Ardmore group companies.

It also ordered that those companies be jointly and severally liable for the adjudicator’s award of about £14.9 million, even though the decision remains open to final determination at trial.

In each case, the Court held that the statutory test of what was just and equitable was satisfied on the facts.

Gateley Plc said the judgment confirms that claimants do not need to wait until after trial before seeking relief against solvent associated companies where the original defendant is insolvent, and that adjudicators’ decisions can in principle support Building Liability Orders under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Mark Lennon, Gemma Bowkett and Abbie Lockwood of Gateley Legal’s Construction Unit acted for Crest in the application.

Firefighter health checks planned under new government concordat

Firefighter health checks and research funding

Firefighters in England will receive regular health checks under a new Firefighters Concordat on Health and Wellbeing announced on 16 April 2026, with government funding also directed to research on long term occupational risks.

The Department of Health and Social Care said Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced the agreement at the Fire Brigades Union on 16 April 2026.

The concordat is intended to improve prevention, early diagnosis and support during service and after service.

It will be delivered through a working group established under the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform.

The government said every firefighter in the country will receive consistent, regular health checks.

New funding will be directed through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to build evidence on firefighter health and wellbeing.

The research will examine mental health, musculoskeletal health, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The government said there will be a specific focus on underrepresented groups in the profession, including women, with reference to kit and protective equipment not designed for them.

The agreement will also raise awareness of NHS services that could support firefighters, including mental health support, cancer screening and musculoskeletal care.

Firefighter occupation will be recorded in NHS records so doctors can make better informed decisions.

Firefighters concordat to be delivered through sector working group

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We cannot continue to ask people to give everything in service of others and then fail them when they need help themselves.”

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair Phil Garrigan said: “Supporting further research and building a stronger evidence base will be vital to improving understanding of occupational risk and ensuring firefighters receive appropriate, timely support throughout their careers.”

Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon said: “It’s a serious, long-term promise to understand the risks they take and make sure every firefighter gets the health support they deserve – during their career and beyond.”

Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Steve Wright said: “The commitment from the Health Secretary to increase health monitoring for firefighters is a very welcome and important step forward.”

The working group will bring together government, fire and rescue services, employers and representative bodies to establish monitoring that can better assess firefighter health and spot risks earlier.

FIA confirms expanded programme for Fire Safety Event 2026

FIA sets out 2026 programme

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has announced its return to the Fire Safety Event 2026 with its largest programme at the exhibition to date.

The FIA said its 2026 presence will include the return of the FIA Guidance Theatre, a new live skills competition and a networking café.

The Guidance Theatre will host keynote speakers, technical sessions and panel discussions across topics affecting the UK fire industry.

The programme is intended to cover current challenges, emerging technologies and best practice.

The networking café will run at the centre of the show and will include networking drinks on day 1 and day 2 from 16:00 to 18:00.

FIA newcomer competition launches

The FIA will also stage the first Fire Industry Newcomer of the Year Competition at its stand during the three-day event.

The competition is aimed at trainees, apprentices and early-career technicians working in fire detection and alarm systems.

Participants will work on a live non-addressable fire alarm system.

They will be required to identify faults and non-compliances.

They will also apply safe working practices, test the system correctly and document their findings.

According to the FIA, competitors will be assessed by industry professionals through a structured marking system based on method, accuracy and professionalism.

Entry is open to people aged 18 or over with up to three years of experience in the fire safety industry.

Applicants must also have basic working knowledge of fire alarm systems and be available across all three days.

The prize includes an award presented at the FIA annual lunch and three tickets for the FIA Annual Lunch.

Survitec receives DNV qualification for Seahaven evacuation system

Survitec Seahaven gains DNV statement

Survitec has received a formal Technology Qualification Statement from DNV for Seahaven, its Advanced Evacuation System, covering a configuration designed to evacuate up to 1,060 passengers.

Survitec announced that the Seahaven configuration uses two self-propelled inflatable survival craft and four vertical escape helical slides to enable embarkation from the vessel.

DNV carried out the Technology Qualification process in line with DNV Recommended Practice DNV RP A203.

The assessment confirmed that Seahaven had been qualified to operate within defined limits and perform reliably under emergency conditions.

Jonny Whiteside, Chief Operating Officer at Survitec, said: “This Technology Qualification from DNV marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the system’s proven reliability through rigorous testing and independent evaluation.

“It reinforces an already well-established foundation of validation, complementing assessments conducted by Lloyd’s Register, RINA, and Bureau Veritas, and positioning Seahaven as a smarter and safer evacuation solution.”

Whiteside added: “We are advancing strategic discussions with leading operators to install Seahaven across cruise fleets, reflecting strong market interest and a shared commitment to elevating safety standards at sea.”

DNV sets out the technical assessment

DNV said the Technology Qualification work forms a basis for the Alternative Design and Arrangement (AD&A) process for application in passenger vessels.

Dr. Daniel Povel, Senior Principal Specialist Passenger Ship Safety and Risk Assessment at DNV Maritime Advisory stated: “We are pleased to support Survitec in advancing this innovative technology towards application in passenger vessels.

“Through DNV’s Technology Qualification process, the Seahaven system has been independently assessed against defined performance requirements and acceptance criteria.

“The work undertaken in the TQ forms a valuable basis for the Alternative Design and Arrangement (AD&A) process.”

DNV reviewed a technical test and verification programme covering full-scale deployment trials and slide integrity evaluations.

The programme also covered embarkation simulations at maximum capacity, propulsion performance assessments and manoeuvrability trials under representative operating conditions.

The assessment examined structural endurance, redundancy of critical components and resilience under load to confirm sailing-away functionality after evacuation.

DNV also reviewed repeated deployment testing to assess on-demand operational reliability, with the source material stating that existing SOLAS and LSA frameworks do not contain prescriptive reliability requirements for alternative systems of this type.

Survitec said Seahaven is designed as a direct alternative to conventional lifeboats, using propelled inflatable survival units and combining functions usually associated with lifeboats and Marine Evacuation Systems.

With the Technology Qualification completed, the company said it is positioned to move into the AD&A process for newbuild and retrofit passenger vessels.

How Taiwan is preparing for fire at waste storage sites

Fire guidance released at Taiwan symposium

Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment released the Guidelines for Disaster Waste Management during a symposium on fire prevention and emergency response for waste storage sites held on 11 March 2026.

The ministry said the event was held under the guidance of the Executive Yuan’s Office of Disaster Management and in collaboration with the National Fire Agency, Ministry of the Interior.

The symposium examined fire prevention and emergency response at waste storage and landfill sites during extreme climate events.

Discussions used practical case studies including the fire at the temporary waste site in Wushulin, Tainan.

Frontline personnel from local environmental protection and firefighting agencies joined central government representatives and academic experts to discuss risk identification, management guidance, air pollution monitoring and on-site environmental detection strategies.

Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-cheng said: “He emphasized that improperly handled large volumes of disaster-generated waste can lead to severe environmental pollution, and that dredged sediment must also be properly managed to prevent secondary disasters.”

He also said the Executive Yuan is working to amend the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act to establish a unified disaster management system from central to local levels.

Waste site response and future guidance

The Ministry of Environment said the symposium focused on risk prevention, firefighting operations and environmental management.

Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming said managing the large amounts of waste generated immediately after disasters has become a core issue in national disaster prevention.

Peng said disaster waste can pose environmental threats without proper risk identification and classification.

He said management strategies must shift from end-of-pipe disposal to source prevention in order to establish what he described as a resilient management system.

Director-General Hsiao Huan-chang of the National Fire Agency said fires at waste storage sites often involve deep-seated combustion, with accumulated heat and limited access to the core making extinguishment more difficult.

Hsiao said firefighting units use segmentation and isolation, localized excavation and point-by-point extinguishing, alongside mobile water cannons, firefighting robots, aerial drone surveillance, heavy machinery excavation and waterline protection.

The ministry said recommendations from the symposium will be used to develop future Guidelines for Fire Prevention and Rescue at Waste Landfills and Temporary Storage Sites.

It said those guidelines will be combined with the Guidelines for Disaster Waste Management to give local governments a reference for daily management, inspections, training and rescue operations.