Bull Products refreshes Fire 360° for end to end site compliance

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionProducts

Bull Products updates Fire 360° service

Bull Products has refreshed its Fire 360° service for construction sites across the country, positioning the offer as an end to end fire protection and compliance solution.

The company said the updated service is designed to provide comprehensive fire safety coverage and support 100% compliance on construction projects.

Fire 360° covers pre-construction fire protection strategy, on-site execution, service and maintenance and ongoing asset management.

Bull Products presents itself as a single partner handling every stage of fire protection from project start to completion.

The firm stated that this one-stop approach is intended to streamline fire safety planning and delivery for clients.

According to the company, the refreshed service is aimed at making fire safety management more consistent across different project phases.

Service focused on construction professionals

Bull Products said Fire 360° is targeted at construction professionals with formal responsibility for site safety and compliance.

The service is aimed at contractors overseeing day to day operations on site.

It is also directed at developers managing both small and large-scale construction projects.

Site managers responsible for maintaining safe working environments are another core audience described by the company.

Bull Products added that Fire 360° is intended for organisations that place sustainability alongside strict safety requirements.

The firm stated that the service is structured so that legal duties and environmental objectives can be considered throughout the life of a construction project.

Certified support and compliance frameworks

According to Bull Products, customers receive nationwide technical support from British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) registered professionals and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) certified engineers.

The company said Fire 360° is built around compliance, rather than viewing compliance as a one-off exercise.

Bull Products stated that EN 54 certified systems are available within the service.

The firm added that Fire 360° is structured to support compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance HSG 168, the Joint Code of Practice (JCoP), the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) and British Standard 5839-1 (BS 5839-1).

Automated service reminders within the Fire 360° model are intended to help keep equipment maintenance on schedule.

Bull Products said monthly stock reports form part of the asset management support, helping clients track and manage fire protection equipment across their projects.

Sustainability and Green Bull equipment recovery

Bull Products stated that Fire 360° incorporates sustainability measures alongside its compliance activity.

The company said its Green Bull service sits within the wider Fire 360° framework.

According to Bull Products, Green Bull covers recovery, cleaning and reuse of suitable equipment at the end of a project phase.

The firm explained that this model is intended to help clients reduce costs linked to new purchases.

Bull Products added that Green Bull is also aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of construction projects through reuse of equipment where appropriate.

The company stressed that these sustainability measures are delivered without relaxing the fire safety requirements applied to equipment and systems.

Customer support and ongoing guidance

Bull Products said Fire 360° is designed as a guided process rather than a one-off installation package.

The company described how clients are supported from initial planning through to ongoing service and asset management.

Nationwide technical support is intended to give project teams access to advice throughout the lifecycle of a site.

Bull Products said the aim is to provide a consistent point of contact for fire protection issues on construction projects.

Carl Leeson, Head of Sales at Bull Products, said: “With our streamlined Fire 360°, we’re making fire safety management more efficient and accessible for construction sites across the country,

“Our dedicated team is there for our customers every step of the way, providing expert advice and responsive service nationwide.

“We’re proud to lead in both fire protection and sustainable practices, helping clients reduce their operational costs, protect their sites and contribute to a greener future.”

Bull Products framed the service as a response to the risks of partial protection on construction sites.

The company stated that Fire 360° is presented as a complete approach to protection, reliability and support from project beginning to end.

For more information, Bull Products directs interested parties to its Fire 360° service page at www.bullproducts.co.uk/en-gb/services/fire-360/.

How Fire 360° could affect construction duty holders

Fire 360° is targeted at construction stakeholders with specific safety responsibilities, which includes contractors, developers and site managers responsible for day to day conditions on live projects.

These roles overlap with fire-protection contractors, system installers and electrical contractors who are involved in specifying, installing and maintaining temporary and permanent fire protection while work is underway.

By combining strategy, execution, maintenance and asset management, Fire 360° offers these groups a structured route to address compliance duties over the full duration of a project rather than at isolated points.

The involvement of British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) registered professionals and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) certified engineers provides a defined competence pathway for technical support on construction sites.

Compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance HSG 168, the Joint Code of Practice (JCoP), the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) and British Standard 5839-1 (BS 5839-1) aligns the service with established frameworks already used by fire engineering consultants, building services engineers and risk assessors.

The Green Bull equipment recovery, cleaning and reuse offer links fire safety planning with sustainability targets, which may be relevant for developers and facility managers who must report on resource use and environmental performance alongside safety outcomes.

Fomtec confirmed as Platinum Sponsor for IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety 2026

by Breaking NewsEventsFire SuppressionIFSJ Leaders

From Scandinavia to Dubai: Fomtec Takes Platinum Sponsorship at IFSJ Leaders in Fire 2026

International Fire & Safety Journal is delighted to confirm that Fomtec will be the Platinum Sponsor for the IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference 2026 in Dubai.

The 2026 edition of IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety will take place on 7 May 2026 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE.

As Platinum Sponsor, Fomtec will hold the top tier commercial role at the conference, with enhanced visibility on stage, in the networking areas and across our event communications.

We are pleased to welcome Fomtec into this position as we continue to shape the programme for the next edition of our senior-level conference.

Attendees at IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety 2026 will be able to engage directly with Fomtec’s team on foam concentrates, fixed systems and project considerations throughout the day.

Further details on the agenda, speaker line-up and partner activities will be shared as planning progresses.

Fomtec foam concentrates and technical focus

Fomtec focuses on firefighting foam concentrates and selected foam hardware for professional fire protection.

The company is headquartered in Stockholm with manufacturing in Helsingborg in the south of Sweden.

Its portfolio includes synthetic and protein-based formulations, including fluorine-free foams for use in industrial, municipal and high-hazard environments.

Fomtec’s Enviro range of fluorine-free foam concentrates has been developed in response to regulatory change and customer demand for alternatives to legacy fluorinated products.

The company has carried out extensive full-scale and laboratory fire testing on these foams to understand performance across different fuels and application conditions.

This work has been led by John Ottesen, CEO and Founder at Fomtec, whose focus has been on using data and test results to guide product development.

Fomtec also uses predictive modelling tools to help anticipate foam behaviour on a variety of fuels based on earlier test work and formulation chemistry.

Through this combination of testing and modelling, the company aims to give end users clearer information when assessing foam choices for specific risks.

IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety 2026 overview

We will once again stage the IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference as a single-day, invitation-only forum for senior fire and safety professionals.

The event gathers chief officers, senior engineers, facility leaders and technical specialists from the Middle East, Africa and other international markets.

Our format combines keynote talks, panel sessions and structured networking breaks in a focused environment.

Commercial partners are limited in number so that sponsors have more time and space to meet delegates during breaks and in the exhibition and networking areas.

As Platinum Sponsor, Fomtec will play a central part in the 2026 edition, including a dedicated presentation slot within the programme.

We expect foam concentrates, suppression system performance and transition planning away from legacy foams to feature within the broader conference discussions.

Registration and event information for IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety 2026 is available at https://ifsjleadersinfireandsafety.com/.

We look forward to welcoming Fomtec and our delegates to Dubai on 7 May 2026.

FFE Sensis smoke detection range targets data centres and secure facilities

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionProducts

New smoke detection platform for early warning

FFE has launched its Sensis aspirating smoke detection range for sites where very early warning and stable performance are required.

The company said the system is designed for environments where conventional point detectors can be harder to apply or may not provide early enough response.

Target applications include data centres, high-security facilities, warehousing and logistics, libraries and archives.

FFE stated that Sensis is intended as a single aspirating smoke detection platform that can be deployed across these varied building types.

Single chamber approach to EN54-20 classes

According to FFE, the core of the Sensis range is a “one chamber” design philosophy.

Each Sensis detector can be configured to meet EN54-20 Classes A, B and C using the same detection chamber.

The company contrasted this with aspirating smoke detection systems that use different chambers for each sensitivity class.

FFE noted that using a single chamber for all three classes can reduce the chance of incorrect product selection for a given site.

It added that this approach can also simplify stockholding and specification activity for project teams.

Blue-light technology and on-board tools

FFE reported that Sensis uses blue-light detection technology to increase sensitivity to the small smoke particles associated with incipient fires.

By using blue light instead of red laser or LED sources, the system is designed to detect early-stage smoke more quickly while maintaining stability under normal conditions.

The manufacturer explained that the Sensis 500 and Sensis 2000 models include on-board programming so configuration can be carried out directly on the detector.

This feature is aimed at data centres and high-security locations where laptops may be restricted or not permitted on site.

FFE said that once engineers are familiar with Sensis Flow and SensisTool, they can apply the same software tools across the full Sensis aspirating smoke detection range.

This is intended to streamline training, commissioning and ongoing configuration work for installers and commissioning engineers.

Event logging and Smart Smoke Level operation

FFE stated that Sensis provides extensive event logging to support fault-finding and post-event review.

Each detector can store up to 180,000 events for later interrogation.

The company indicated that this depth of recorded history can help maintenance teams review site behaviour over time, recognise trends and examine incidents in more detail.

Another element of the platform is SSL – Smart Smoke Level – which FFE describes as a dynamic background algorithm.

SSL continuously gathers information on ambient particulate levels and calculates an average contamination baseline.

Alarm thresholds are then controlled so they remain above naturally occurring contamination levels.

FFE said this is intended to support stable day-to-day operation and lower the likelihood of unwanted alarms in more challenging environments.

With Sensis, the company aims to combine very early warning detection performance, algorithm-based stability and installer-focused features in one aspirating smoke detection platform that can be used across a broad range of sectors and building types.

Operational considerations for specifiers and engineers

System installers and fire-protection contractors working in data centres, high-security facilities, warehousing and archives can apply Sensis where very early warning is required but point detectors are less practical.

Equipment specifiers and fire engineering consultants can use the single-chamber coverage of EN54-20 Classes A, B and C to simplify product selection, documentation and stock management across projects.

For commissioning engineers, on-board programming on Sensis 500 and 2000 offers a configuration route on sites where laptop access is limited or controlled.

Facility managers and risk assessors can draw on the 180,000-event log to review site behaviour over extended periods and to support incident investigation.

In environments with fluctuating background contamination, the SSL – Smart Smoke Level – algorithm provides a method of maintaining alarm thresholds above typical particulate levels, which can help manage unwanted alarms in day-to-day operation.

New Zealand firefighters’ union talks continue as FENZ seeks stable agreement

by Breaking NewsSafety

What the New Zealand union row signals for future emergency response planning

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it will return to collective bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union next week following the union’s withdrawal of a planned one hour strike on Friday 14 November.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said the withdrawal avoided further disruption before bargaining sessions on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.

Stiffler said: “Every time the NZPFU strikes, they compromise public safety.

“We are very pleased communities will not be disrupted again today, and we urge the NZPFU to withdraw its strike notices for Friday 21 and Friday 28 November.

“We had applied for facilitation under urgency with the Employment Relations Authority because of the protracted nature of bargaining and the impact on the public from strike action but today the authority adjourned the hearing until 25 November.

“Fire and Emergency’s goal is, and has always been, to reach a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU. We are doing everything we can to achieve an agreement without disrupting the services communities rely on.

“The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union made a counter proposal which was well outside Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters.

“Following a robust and useful discussion, and further testing of possible components of a settlement, the NZPFU tabled a new pay proposal.

“While Fire and Emergency shared with the Union the concern that the proposal was highly likely to be outside of Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters, this represents a step forward in negotiations.

“Fire and Emergency is meeting with the NZPFU to continue bargaining on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2025.

“Any settlement must be sustainable; balance cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and be consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.”

Key elements of the dispute

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said negotiations have been ongoing since July 2024 for career firefighters.

The organisation said it has improved its original pay offer of 5.1% over three years, alongside changes to allowances.

It said this offer aligns with its financial constraints and the Government Workforce Policy Statement.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the last agreement in 2022 delivered a cumulative wage increase of up to 24% over three years.

The organisation also noted ongoing investment in fleet replacement, stating that 317 trucks have been replaced since 2017 with a further 78 on order.

Wider organisational restructure underway

Separate reporting from RNZ said Fire and Emergency New Zealand is progressing the largest restructure in its eight-year history.

RNZ said a 266-page change proposal outlines plans affecting about 140 roles, with unions warning that loss of support roles could affect emergency response.

RNZ reported that the proposal would remove the five-region structure and reorganise existing districts under new reporting lines.

According to RNZ, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the restructure is driven by volatile revenue and increasing operational demand linked to climate impacts.

RNZ said firefighters and union representatives raised concerns about reduced support for risk reduction work and pressure on district workloads.

RNZ reported that frontline firefighter roles and 111-call handlers would not be cut.

Reactions from union and sector representatives

RNZ said the Public Service Association estimated the restructure would remove more than 13% of non-firefighter roles.

According to RNZ, the Fire Emergency Commanders Association questioned how regional functions would be absorbed under the new model.

RNZ reported that risk reduction staff, who carry out building checks and oversee evacuation scheme maintenance, expressed concern about diminished preventative capacity.

Next steps in negotiations

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said bargaining will continue on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.

The Employment Relations Authority hearing on facilitation is scheduled to resume on 25 November.

Implications for emergency response planning in New Zealand

The continuation of bargaining between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has implications for senior fire officers and emergency managers who rely on stable workforce arrangements.

Pay and conditions for career firefighters affect staffing availability, deployment planning and long-term retention.

These factors can influence how incident commanders allocate resources during emergency events.

The restructure described by RNZ involves changes to district structures and support roles.

These changes could alter how operational leaders receive administrative, training and risk reduction support.

The proposed separation of volunteer and paid firefighter training functions may require adjustments to training delivery models.

Facility managers and building safety professionals may take interest in the future capacity of risk reduction teams.

These teams conduct checks on evacuation schemes and oversee compliance work.

These developments could shape planning assumptions for organisations that coordinate with Fire and Emergency New Zealand during joint response operations.

Intersec Dubai 2026 to spotlight critical gaps in fire protection

by Breaking NewsEventsMiddle East - Breaking News

Fire & Rescue Conference returns at Intersec Dubai 2026

Messe Frankfurt Middle East has confirmed that the Fire and Rescue Conference will return as part of Intersec Dubai 2026 from 12 to 14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The organiser said the programme will examine artificial intelligence applications for fire prediction, building life safety system performance, and how psychological factors influence emergency decision-making.

The conference forms one of the technical components of Intersec, which is recognised as a major global exhibition for fire, safety and security industries.

The organiser added that the agenda will also review passive fire protection developments, regional regulatory changes, and how climate trends are affecting fire behaviour across different environments.

The content will be supported by international case studies focused on operational lessons and risk reduction.

The event continues to operate under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Advisory Committee announced

Messe Frankfurt Middle East has established an Advisory Committee to shape the technical direction of the Fire and Rescue Conference.

The committee includes Lt Col Dr Essa Ahmed Al Mutawa of Dubai Civil Defence, Abdullah Faza of AESG, Abhishek Chhabra of the Firestop Contractors International Association, Dana Kamal of the NFPA, Ghaith Bakir of UL Solutions, Mohammed Saeefan of Saudi Aramco, Dana Nassif of AECOM, Eng Salma Humaid Saeed of Dubai Civil Defence, Sawsan Dahham of Siena, and Steve Apter QFSM of Apter Consulting.

The organiser said the committee will assess sector risks, evaluate emerging technologies, and ensure the programme remains aligned with operational priorities across the region.

Speaker line up confirmed

The organiser has released the first group of confirmed speakers for 2026.

The list includes contributors from civil defence authorities, engineering bodies, fire laboratories, and international associations.

Confirmed speakers include Major Eng Ali Hassan Al Madfai of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, Dr Aissam Bouadjel of Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone, Andrew Taylor of the ASFP, David Campbell of Emirates Safety Laboratory, Francis Owiti of the Kenya Airports Authority, Jim Pauley of the NFPA, Khalid Al Mandil of Red Sea Global, Nick Searle QFSM of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Olga Caledonia of the NFPA, Steve Hamm of the IFE, and Stephan Wevers of the Federation of European Fire Officers.

The organiser said further speakers will be announced as the conference approaches.

Intersec Dubai context

Intersec Dubai is expected to host more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries across its fire, security, and safety sectors.

The organiser said the exhibition attracts tens of thousands of trade visitors, providing a cross-industry platform that broadens the reach of the Fire and Rescue Conference.

Dubai Civil Defence continues to support the event as a key strategic partner.

Call for contributions

The organiser has invited fire engineering specialists, emergency responders, and regulatory professionals to submit speaking proposals.

The team said submissions should focus on operational lessons, technical case studies, or research that can support knowledge development across the sector.

CPD certification

All Fire and Rescue Conference sessions will be CPD certified.

Leading the Firestopping Conversation: Quelfire Returns to London Build 2025

by Breaking NewsConstructionEventsPassive

Quelfire is a UK manufacturer of firestopping solutions for service penetrations in buildings. With a testing programme, customer support, and over 600 tested details, the company provides information to help customers find compliant solutions for complex scenarios.

The company’s stated mission is to educate the construction industry, which is why Quelfire’s team offers free training sessions, including early engagement consultations, product overviews, and its CPD titled “Effective Passive Fire Protection for Service Penetrations in Buildings.”

Access to resources

Quelfire makes its resources, including product documentation and its range of tested details, available for download at any time on its website. The company also maintains a library of YouTube videos that can be accessed at any time.

Since the Grenfell tragedy, knowledge sharing has become a key focus across the sector to bridge gaps between stakeholders and support safer building design.

Exhibitions like London Build provide a platform for this exchange and offer opportunities for direct communication that day-to-day activities do not always provide.

Participation at London Build 2025

Team Orange will again be present at London Build 2025, where staff will be available to support visitors and answer questions.

As part of the ongoing “Because It’s Your Job to Know” campaign, this year’s stand will display Quelfire’s products before and after fire exposure to show how they behave under tested conditions. Product samples will be available for discussion, and members of the technical team will be on site to respond to detailed queries.

On the second day of the show, November 20 at 2 pm, Craig Wells, Quelfire’s Sales Director, will lead a panel discussion titled “Gateway 2 Submissions: What We Know Now”. He will be joined by other industry professionals to discuss current experience and insight.

Quelfire’s participation at London Build will focus on the role of collaboration and early engagement in construction projects, noting potential benefits such as reduced risks, lower costs, and minimised rework.

To learn more about early engagement, visitors can find Quelfire on stand N35 at Olympia London on November 19 and 20, 2025.

Siderise safeguards new Manhattan skyscraper with CW-FS120 Firestop system

by Americas - ProjectsBreaking NewsPassiveProjects

High-rise development in Midtown Manhattan

Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-storey development in the heart of Manhattan.

Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-metre mixed-use tower designed by C3D Architecture.

The concrete-frame structure features a sleek glass curtain wall, open terraces and a dramatic multi-cylinder podium that contrasts strikingly with the classical façade of the neighbouring Haier Building.

Collaborative façade design and installation

The intricate unitised curtain wall façade was designed, engineered and fabricated by Bisam Façade and installed by Marvel Contracting.

As part of their remit, Marvel worked closely with Siderise US distribution partner Facades X to procure a passive fire protection solution that exceeds the fire compartmentation requirements while facilitating a smooth installation process.

Advanced perimeter protection system

Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop was specified to provide floor-to-floor compartmentation, protecting the void space at the perimeter joint between the edge of the floor slab and the internal surface of the external wall assembly.

It offers a third-party certified FT rating of up to three hours (resistance to fire spread and temperature rise on the non-fire side) when tested to ASTM E2307 as part of the CW Perimeter Barrier System.

It has also been independently tested to ensure L-rating compliance with the International Building Code (IBC).

Additionally, its unique vertical-fibre stone wool Lamella core was specifically engineered to stand up to the demands of building and curtain wall movement on high rise towers, boasting a 60-year design life.

Technical detailing and onsite support

In collaboration with façade contractor Bisam Façade and consultants at Socotec, Siderise prepared a thoroughly detailed technical submittal for the perimeter fire barriers—tailored to the project’s complex slab-edge geometry.

Special attention was paid to the curved east elevation and its staggered floor edges to ensure continuous compression fit and long-term performance for design-life movements.

To ensure this bespoke onsite work met high standards and followed manufacturer recommendations, Siderise Site Services assisted the Marvel installation team with project specific training and benchmark installations.

This support continued throughout the project with regular inspections conducted via the Siderise Inspection App.

For more information, please contact Siderise USA:

IFSJ Exclusive: Fire Aware spells out the meaning of moral responsibility

by Breaking News

Gavin Skelly, CEO of Fire Aware, outlines how moral responsibility and professional culture reform can strengthen compliance within the UK’s Building Safety framework

The fire safety industry is going through radical change in terms of legislation and the way it is regulated including the appointment of the new Building Safety Regulator.

Here, Gavin Skelly, CEO of the growing fire safety body Fire Aware, covers the issue of cultural change and how the moral responsibility for those with a duty of care is a vocation, not just a job or a compliance exercise.

Revisiting the lessons of Hackitt

By raising the standards of responsible behaviour in all of those working in the supply chain, and in doing so helping to support technical knowledge wherever possible, we and our partners and members can make a difference in delivering the cultural change in the construction industry demanded by Dame Judith Hackitt in 2018.

Moreover, the Hackitt Review found the existing building regulations and fire safety regimes were “not fit for purpose” and driven by a culture of cutting corners to complete projects quickly and cheaply, rather than focusing on quality and safety.

The review concluded that changes to the regulatory regime will help, but on their own will not be sufficient unless we can change the culture away from one of doing the minimum required for compliance to one of taking ownership and responsibility for delivering a safe system throughout the lifecycle of a building.

In the interim, legislation has followed mainly in the form of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its requirements from the supply chain.

We have asked for change and now we are seeing it in action, albeit demanding and challenging for many.

We at Fire Aware can help members with technical guidance and provide support through our expert educators.

Beyond that, we also offer a series of charters for the various groups of members and a code of conduct which helps guide us all through the requirements being rightly demanded of the industry.

Understanding vocation and moral duty

The thread of cultural change lies with those with a duty of care.

Let’s be clear: Fire safety is a vocation.

It is a way of thinking that comes with responsibility and a requirement to consider the safety of the people who inhabit our buildings and spaces.

This cultural way of working lies with all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.

We understand the need for competence.

But when dealing with an industry that the public relies on to keep them safe, there has to be more.

There has to be a commitment to safety.

As with a number of other sectors and professions, the fire sector has a wide array of duty holders, but they all share one common requirement – they are there primarily to keep the public safe.

We are appealing to the fire safety industry and those with responsibility for making decisions to think about their moral duty from the outset of any project.

We know from the feedback we receive from our members that the industry is keen to make this work.

We believe in going above and beyond legislation and minimum standards and test regimes.

Driving participation and setting standards

We’re already seeing a lot of interest in our organisation and what we stand for.

Membership is growing quickly and the organisations joining us want to adhere to all best practice.

We are seeking to shift the culture of the built environment sector both morally and technically.

We believe in setting standards.

Members of the Fire Aware community are taking a stand, and they have told us they care and want to commit to best practice.

For example, Julian Day, managing director of certified Fire Aware member 3B Fire Consultancy, part of the Plus Group of companies, expressed the view of many members when he said: “We want to do things the right way for the right reasons.

“We’ve been an advocate of Fire Aware since its inception and embrace its whole ethos.

“We provide a comprehensive range of consultancy services to help ensure the safety and compliance of buildings with fire safety regulations.

“Specialising in consultation services for fire protection and risk assessment within the sector, we sometimes simply spend time helping to guide clients or those who need help.

“Ultimately, we want to keep people safe and keep our clients on the right side of the law at the same time.

“We’re proud to be associated with Fire Aware and what they stand for.”

Testing accountability through performance

Importantly, the visible moral position of member companies can also be performance tested, ensuring the services they provide are in line with their moral undertakings.

Under performance can be monitored by the Fire Aware organisation and agreed action taken in the event of consistent disregard for the safety of those who inhabit the buildings we create and manage.

All members must abide and comply with the law and regulations that are relevant within their specialism in addition to the Fire Aware Code of Conduct.

Applying the Fire Aware charters

Supporting the code, Fire Aware’s series of charters apply to main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, specialist contractors and sub-contractors.

The Fire Aware Charter Conditions do not seek to override any legal obligations as specifically imposed by those of sector-specific professions.

The charters ask the member business to consider the safety of the end user, and to go above and beyond minimum standards to promote an enthusiasm within the member business to identify itself as a business that cares.

Extending principles beyond the fire sector

We also recognise those outside of the fire sector, who, while holding a duty of care are not directly a part of this industry but will share these common goals.

They may work in the hospitality sector, the facilities management or building management sectors.

Fire Aware is a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a common aim to work and trade responsibly to all best practice standards in the interests of the safety of the general public.

We are asking any organisation considering how to improve their moral and technical standards of operating in the built environment to talk to us.

A discussion paper for UK Fire and Rescue: The DeltaV Sprint

by Breaking NewsIFSJ Exclusives

John C. Fay MBE, Managing Partner at DeltaV Partners, outlines how the Ninety Day Sprint supports FRS leaders to embed behavioural standards within inspection frameworks

Operational performance under inspection pressure

The UK Fire & Rescue sector is navigating a period of heightened scrutiny and operational challenge.

HMICFRS’s latest thematic findings (5 November 2025) highlight enduring leadership inconsistency, cultural fragility, and variable operational performance across services.

Public expectations continue to rise, with scrutiny amplified by high-profile incidents and national inspections.

Workforce pressures, including recruitment, retention, and skills shortages, exacerbate systemic risks and threaten organisational resilience.

The DeltaV Ninety Day Sprint (Fay, 2025) offers a structured, evidence-informed, time-bound method for rapidly mobilising leadership, clarifying strategy, and embedding a high-performance culture.

Its modular design allows adaptation across shire, metropolitan, and combined authority fire and rescue services (FRSs).

This paper sets out how the DeltaV Sprint can serve as a national platform for leadership and cultural transformation while enabling service-specific interventions tailored to local risk, context, and organisational maturity.

It aligns with NFCC objectives, HMICFRS recommendations, and Fire Standards Board frameworks.

FRSs adopting it can expect measurable improvement in leadership alignment, cultural coherence, staff engagement, and performance within 90 days.

Context: UK Fire & Rescue Operating Environment

FRSs operate in a complex, regulated, and publicly accountable setting. HMICFRS (2025) identifies several systemic pressures:

  • Cultural fragmentation: Some services retain entrenched subcultures, masking poor behaviour or resisting organisational values.
  • Leadership inconsistency: Leadership quality varies, with defensive attitudes and reluctance to tackle underperformance.
  • Operational inertia: Difficulty translating policy into daily practice, with middle managers caught between competing demands.
  • Workforce pressures: On-Call recruitment issues and generational differences affecting cohesion.
  • Public scrutiny: Rising media and political pressure to demonstrate visible improvement.

These mirror the challenges identified in Fay (2025), including productivity gaps, leadership transition, and cultural drift.

Misalignment between values and lived experience damages trust and operational effectiveness.

The Case for a 90-Day Transformation Framework

Traditional long-term change programmes often fail to show timely results. The DeltaV Ninety Day Sprint accelerates progress by:

  1. Compressing change cycles to sustain urgency.
  2. Mobilising leadership at every level.
  3. Securing visible early wins to build credibility.
  4. Embedding cultural standards in practice.
  5. Using measurable indicators to ensure accountability.

Research (Kotter, 2012; Heifetz & Linsky, 2017) supports short, visible interventions as effective for reducing resistance and driving alignment – essential in FRS contexts requiring discipline and clarity.

Application Across Different FRS Contexts

Shire FRSs

Shire FRSs face dispersed geography, heavy On-Call reliance, and strong local identities. The Sprint helps by:

  • Aligning leadership teams across locations.
  • Reinforcing supervisory leadership consistency.
  • Integrating On-Call personnel in culture and operations.
  • Identifying local quick wins to build momentum.

Metropolitan FRSs

Metropolitan services face intense scrutiny and turnover. The Sprint supports:

  • Rapid mobilisation of large leadership cohorts.
  • Addressing legacy subcultures through visible role-modelling.
  • Embedding leadership standards across all levels.
  • Resetting culture and performance post-inspection.

Combined or Cross-Border FRSs

These services manage complex governance structures and integration issues. The Sprint delivers:

  • A unifying ambition across jurisdictions.
  • Alignment among chief officers, politicians, and staff.
  • Structured mechanisms for post-merger cultural embedding.
  • Measurable progress indicators for accountability.

Alignment with NFCC and HMICFRS Priorities

The Sprint translates NFCC and HMICFRS principles – leadership visibility, behavioural integrity, and clarity of purpose – into actionable steps by:

  • Embedding leadership expectations in daily operations.
  • Providing methods for tackling underperformance and misconduct.
  • Aligning organisational vision and practice within measurable timeframes.
  • Enabling consistent national standards with local flexibility.

Recommendations for FRSs Using the DeltaV Sprint

FRSs should adopt structured Sprints to drive sustainable leadership and cultural transformation. Recommendations include:

  1. Professionalise leadership: Align behavioural standards with national frameworks.
  2. Empower chief officers: Protect operational independence for decisive action.
  3. Address misconduct decisively: Enforce transparent reporting and disciplinary systems.
  4. Invest in leadership pipelines: Develop mentoring and succession planning.
  5. Model cultural leadership: Senior leaders must demonstrate ethical, inclusive behaviour.
  6. Embed and measure change: Integrate behavioural standards into recruitment, appraisal, and recognition systems.

Additional advice:

  • Pilot the Sprint in 2–3 services before full rollout.
  • Use storytelling and communication to reinforce purpose.
  • Assign accountability for milestones.
  • Capture learning from exemplar services like Lancashire, West Midlands, and Essex.

Implementation Framework

Five phases ensure measurable and lasting change:

  1. Prepare (Weeks -4 to 0): Diagnostics, root cause analysis, and outcome setting.
  2. Ready (Weeks 1–4): Define and communicate ambition and culture.
  3. Steady (Weeks 5–9): Build alignment and quick wins through leadership engagement.
  4. Go (Weeks 10–13): Embed behaviours into operations via coaching and forums.
  5. Sustain (Post-90 days): Institutionalise gains through HR, performance, and culture systems.

Maintaining momentum for lasting impact

The DeltaV Ninety Day Sprint offers a practical, evidence-based solution to systemic challenges in UK fire and rescue services. Through its adoption, FRSs can:

  • Rebuild leadership credibility.
  • Restore cultural coherence.
  • Embed behavioural standards.
  • Accelerate improvement under scrutiny.
  • Strengthen workforce trust and engagement.

This approach supports measurable, localised change aligned with HMICFRS recommendations and NFCC objectives – providing a scalable path to sustained organisational renewal.

References

  • Fay, J.C. (2025) The DeltaV Ninety Day Sprint: A Framework for Rapid Business Turnaround and Cultural Transformation. LinkedIn, 5 November.
  • HMICFRS (2025) State of Fire and Rescue: The Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England. London: HMICFRS.
  • Kotter, J.P. (2012) Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Heifetz, R. & Linsky, M. (2017) Leadership on the Line. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Denning, S. (2011) The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling. Jossey-Bass.
  • Fire Standards Board (2021–2025) Fire Standards: Leadership, People and Culture. London: FSB.
  • NFCC (2020–2025) Leadership Framework and Core Code of Ethics. London: NFCC.

About the Author 

John Fay MBE, Managing Partner, DeltaV Partners, has developed over 50,000 people in 22 years and has been involved with the UK Fire Service since 2005 developing leaders at all levels.

His body of work combines academia with real world experience in Fire plus other sectors such as Financial Services, Retail, Affordable Housing, Logistics and Manufacturing. He has carried this work out in the United States, Australia, the Middle East and across Europe.

John has also led a philanthropic organisation for 18 years that has raised over £1,000,000 for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

John also supported the Fire Fighters Charity, The World Firefighter Games and UK Fire Service Rugby.

Building safety discussions bridge design and firefighter experience

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementConstructionSafety

Bridging design and real-world building safety discussed at Sertus event

More than 100 professionals attended Sertus Live 2: Smoke Control in Action at the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Training and Development Academy in Aintree.

The event, organised by UK smoke ventilation manufacturer Sertus, focused on the ongoing challenge of aligning design intent with real-world firefighter experience.

Attendees included specialists in fire safety, mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering, architecture and building services.

Live smoke control demonstrations, continuing professional development (CPD) sessions and panel discussions explored how system performance translates into firefighter safety.

The highlight of the day was a keynote address from Dame Judith Hackitt DBE FREng, who led the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Her address, titled “Building Safety: Changing Thinking and Culture,” called for an industry-wide shift towards competence, accountability and collaboration across the entire building lifecycle.

Dame Judith Hackitt DBE FREng said: “Real change doesn’t come from legislation alone – it comes from mindset.

“Every part of the supply chain has a responsibility to design, specify, and deliver with safety at its heart.

“Events like Sertus Live 2 help turn that principle into practice.”

The demonstrations showed how theoretical compliance can fall short if systems are not integrated, particularly in how smoke control impacts firefighter safety during incidents.

An environment built for realism and learning

Sertus Live 2 took place at the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Training and Development Academy, a national centre supporting the National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT), the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UKISAR) and secondary Fire Control.

The facility allows firefighters to train for complex high-rise and urban scenarios under realistic fire and smoke conditions.

Sertus supplied smoke ventilation systems used in the academy’s construction to simulate authentic airflow and smoke movement in controlled environments.

Phil Byrne, Area Manager at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, said: “What’s designed on paper doesn’t always work in the heat of an incident.

“Sertus Live 2 gave people a unique chance to see that reality, to talk openly, and to start closing the gap between design and operational effectiveness.

“That dialogue is essential if we’re serious about safer buildings.”

Building competence through connection

The event featured CPD sessions led by Sertus on “The Future of Smoke Control Shafts” and by Quelfire on “Passive Fire Protection for Service Penetrations.”

Presentations highlighted the interdependence of active and passive fire systems in protecting life and property.

A closing fireside panel encouraged participants to discuss how design, manufacturing, regulation and operational firefighting could align more closely.

Shane White, Managing Director at Sertus, said: “Our mission is simple – to safeguard lives and property through unequivocally compliant, expertly engineered smoke control products.

“Sertus Live brings that mission to life.

“By connecting manufacturers, contractors, consultants, and firefighters, we’re not just talking about compliance – we’re building competence and changing culture.”

Fraser Ruthven, Marketing Manager at Sertus, added: “Hearing the firefighter perspective first-hand was eye-opening for many attendees.

“It’s not about pointing fingers; it’s about recognising where systems fail in real-world use and working together to fix it.

“That honesty and collaboration are what Sertus Live is all about.”

Driving collaboration and raising standards

Now in its second edition, Sertus Live has become a recognised forum for industry-wide knowledge sharing and practical engagement.

Sertus confirmed that further events in the series are already planned to continue fostering open dialogue and shared learning between technical and operational disciplines.

The company said its goal remains to strengthen building safety through integrated design, effective specification and continuous professional development.

Building safety insight for design and operations professionals

The Sertus Live 2 event provided a rare live opportunity for professionals in fire safety design, mechanical and electrical engineering, and building services to see smoke control systems tested under realistic fire conditions.

For fire and rescue professionals, the demonstrations offered insight into how system performance affects operational safety during incidents.

Architects, engineers and consultants gained practical context for how smoke control design decisions influence firefighting strategy and occupant protection.

The inclusion of CPD sessions and direct dialogue with firefighters emphasised the value of aligning design competence with frontline experience.

Future events in the Sertus Live series are expected to continue supporting this integrated learning approach within the UK building safety framework.