Hosted every other year, the conference features two days of technical content from the fire safety experts where current and future trends in fire safety engineering will be discussed.
Featured presentations at the conference
The conference will feature over 40 presentations, structured around the topics of; fire protection, the safety regulatory frameworks, structural fire engineering, electric vehicles, parking structures, building envelopes, sustainability, digitization, human behaviour, wildland fires, timber construction, fire testing, fire modelling and smoke control, plus additional poster presentations
The opening keynote of the conference will be `Michelin Stars and Golden Arches’, presented by Luke Bisby, PEng, PhD, MSFPE, FREng, FRSE, FIFireE, FIStructE, Chartered Structural Engineer.
Co-Chair, 2025 SFPE Conference, Karl Wallasch’s statement
The conference is being co-chaired by Karl Wallasch, past President of the SFPE UK Chapter, and Dr. Rory Hadden. Wallasch noted: “The 2025 SFPE European Conference & Expo in Fire Safety Engineering is shaping up to be a landmark event.
“With an exceptional lineup of European but also global industry leaders, groundbreaking technical content, and the support of leading companies at the expo, this conference promises unparalleled depth and breadth in fire safety engineering. An event you don’t want to miss!”
Co-Chair, 2025 SFPE Conference, Dr. Rory Hadden’s statement
Dr. Rory Hadden, SFPE’s 2025 co-chair shared his perspective on the event saying: “This year’s conference in Edinburgh offers a rare opportunity for the fire safety engineering community to connect globally while focusing on challenges and advancements critical to Europe and beyond.
“From a robust technical program to a vibrant social agenda exploring Edinburgh’s rich history, this event is designed to engage and inspire.”
Additional seminars
In addition, two conference seminars have been planned and are available at a discounted rate when bundled with conference registration.
2025 European Conference & Expo on Fire Safety Engineering announced by SFPE: Summary
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers has announced their 2025 European Conference & Expo on Fire Safety Engineering. The conference will be held over the 9-10 April 2025 in Edinburgh, UK.
Leadership appointments announced for International General Assembly
According to the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), Jason Hill has been appointed as the International General Assembly (IGA) Leader.
Jason, who previously served as the IGA Vice-Leader and is the Branch President for New Zealand, will begin his two-year term in January 2025.
The IFE has also announced that Ryan Cleggett, Australian Branch President, has been elected Vice-Leader.
Ryan’s appointment ensures a continued international perspective in the IGA’s activities.
Experienced leadership to guide IGA initiatives
Both Jason and Ryan bring extensive volunteering experience within the IFE.
As members of the Membership and Registration Committee, their leadership is expected to contribute towards achieving the IFE’s objectives.
The IGA Leadership team is positioned to ensure its activities align with the strategic goals of the organisation, supporting IFE members globally.
Acknowledging contributions of outgoing leader
The IFE expressed its gratitude to outgoing IGA Leader, Jake Derrick, for his contributions, particularly in developing the new IGA Terms of Reference.
These terms set a clear direction for the IGA’s future operations.
Jake’s leadership helped establish a framework to guide the IGA’s purpose and improve its connection with members.
Strengthening global connections in the IFE
The appointments of Jason Hill and Ryan Cleggett reflect the IFE’s commitment to fostering international collaboration.
Their leadership is seen as instrumental in enhancing member support and promoting global engagement within the fire engineering community.
The IFE believes this leadership team will play a key role in advancing its mission.
Jason Hill and Ryan Cleggett take leadership roles in IFE International General Assembly: Summary
The Institution of Fire Engineers has announced Jason Hill as the new Leader of the International General Assembly (IGA), with Ryan Cleggett appointed as Vice-Leader.
Jason, currently the New Zealand Branch President, will begin his two-year term in January 2025.
Ryan, Australian Branch President, was elected by his peers to serve alongside Jason.
Both bring substantial IFE volunteering experience and serve on the Membership and Registration Committee.
Their leadership aims to support the IFE’s objectives and enhance global member engagement.
Outgoing Leader Jake Derrick was commended for his role in developing the IGA Terms of Reference.
Institution of Fire Engineers unveils new ‘Leading Fire Safety’ strategy for 2025
According to the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), its newly launched ‘Leading Fire Safety’ strategy is designed to inspire excellence through knowledge, professional standards, and collaboration.
The strategy places IFE members at its core, empowering them to influence the understanding and management of fire safety.
It also highlights four key priorities aimed at addressing global fire safety challenges.
Development process of the strategy
The strategy was developed following a two-phase consultation process involving both members and external stakeholders.
Phase 1 gathered feedback from over 25 international branches, while Phase 2 expanded representation to 32 branches, amassing nearly 600 additional data points.
The consultation included engagement sessions and a membership survey to ensure diverse perspectives were incorporated.
Strategic priorities identified
The strategy highlights four primary themes: skills, development, and innovation; trust and reputation; organisational sustainability and engagement; and global influence and advocacy.
These priorities aim to address issues such as climate change, built environment safety, diversity, and fire safety responsibilities.
Next steps for the IFE
IFE Chief Executive Steve Hamm emphasised the importance of the strategy: “This was a huge project for 2024, and the result will address the challenges our sector faces.”
He added: “We hope this strategy empowers [members] to navigate and influence our sector.
“Regular updates about these projects will be issued to the membership.”
Institution of Fire Engineers launches Leading Fire Safety strategy: Summary
The Institution of Fire Engineers has launched its ‘Leading Fire Safety’ strategy, focused on promoting knowledge, professional standards, and collaboration.
Developed through a two-phase consultation process, the strategy draws on feedback from members across 32 branches globally.
It outlines four strategic priorities: skills and innovation, trust and reputation, sustainability and engagement, and global advocacy.
IFE Chief Executive Steve Hamm stated the strategy addresses key challenges like climate change and fire safety responsibilities, aiming to empower members in shaping the sector.
IFE reflects on 2024 achievements and global outreach
According to the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), 2024 has been a year of expansion and engagement, marked by its participation in numerous international events. These included the Fire Safety Event, Emergency Services Show, and the organisation’s own FIRE Conference.
Internationally, the IFE took part in the IFSJ Leaders Conference in Dubai, events in Singapore and Australia, and the Tall Buildings Safety event in Indianapolis. New additions to its event calendar, London Build and Anticipate London, further extended its outreach to diverse audiences.
The IFE stated that these events provided opportunities to share knowledge and best practices: “These gatherings offer unparalleled opportunities to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and foster global connections.”
Key reforms highlighted by Grenfell Phase 2 Report
The release of the Grenfell Phase 2 report prompted the IFE to host a roundtable discussion, bringing together professionals to address reforms in the fire safety sector. The discussions underscored the importance of competency in driving meaningful changes.
The IFE committed to continuing these efforts in the coming years, noting: “This ongoing conversation has showcased the power of collaboration in driving meaningful reforms.”
Leadership milestones and inclusivity
2024 also marked the historic presidency of Hayley Burgess, the IFE’s first woman president. Her leadership has been described as a milestone for inclusivity in the fire safety sector.
The IFE expressed gratitude for her contributions, stating: “Her tireless devotion and leadership has been key in expanding our global reach through her presence at events and thought leadership.”
Supporting future leaders
The IFE launched the Early Careers Networking Group (ECNG) to support the next generation of fire safety professionals. This initiative aims to provide resources and opportunities for early-career individuals in the sector.
The organisation reported positive feedback, encouraging new professionals to join the network and contribute to its growth.
Advancing with a new strategy and inclusivity focus
Strategic direction for 2025 and beyond
The IFE collaborated with members and stakeholders in 2024 to develop a strategic vision titled “Leading Fire Safety,” which will launch in January 2025.
The strategy focuses on four themes: skills, development and innovation; trust and reputation; organisational sustainability and engagement; and global influence and advocacy.
The organisation said: “Our strategy sets a clear direction as we continue to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing world.”
Equity, diversity, and inclusion insights
In partnership with EqualEngineers, the IFE conducted a survey to examine equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the fire safety sector. Findings revealed trends and challenges for underrepresented groups, particularly women.
Focus groups are planned for early 2025 to deepen understanding and develop actionable steps for greater inclusivity in the profession.
A strong foundation for 2025
The IFE concluded the year by expressing appreciation to its members, partners, and the wider fire safety community for their support and contributions.
Looking ahead, the organisation plans to build on the momentum of 2024 to further advance fire safety and engineering globally.
A year of progress: IFE’s global engagement and milestones in 2024: Summary
The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) reflected on a year of growth in 2024, highlighting global engagement through events in the UK, Dubai, Singapore, and Australia. Key milestones included the presidency of Hayley Burgess, the launch of the Early Careers Networking Group, and efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the fire safety sector. The release of the Grenfell Phase 2 report inspired discussions on sector reforms. Looking ahead, the IFE’s strategic vision for 2025 focuses on innovation, sustainability, and advocacy.
By Chris Jelenewicz, P.E., FSFPE, Chief Executive Office of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
Advancing performance-based fire safety and fire risk assessment design methodologies continues to play an essential role in the fire safety engineering profession.
As such, SFPE remains the leader in providing the technical tools that assist the fire safety engineer in delivering the best engineering solutions for all stakeholders for a given design project.
For example, in early 2025, SFPE will publish the 6th Edition of the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, which is considered the body of knowledge in our profession.
The increased use of performance-based design, fire risk assessment methods, computer models, and the increasing complexity of fire protection systems have increased the engineering rigor required to practice in our profession.
Also, as our profession becomes more complex, the public’s understanding of how fire safety engineering is practiced decreases.
Unfortunately, the qualifications for those practicing in our profession are inconsistent globally.
Some countries have elaborate licensure/certification systems that establish competence as an engineer.
At the same time, many countries do not have a means of establishing the competence of their fire protection engineering workforce.
Without an effective way of measuring competence, protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare is difficult.
For example, an important recommendation from the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, Phase 2, released in September 2024, focused on the increasing need for competency in the fire safety engineering profession.
Part of this recommendation stated, “Designing buildings that are safe in the event of a fire requires particular skill.
It is a skill that can be acquired only by specialized education and experience worthy of formal recognition…..
The circumstances surrounding the Grenfell Tower fire show that an effective contribution from a fire engineer could have prevented the disaster by alerting the client and the principal contractor to the dangers of using aluminum composite panels with unmodified polyethylene cores and combustible insulation in the external wall of the building.”
SFPE is working on increasing the competency of the fire safety engineering workforce in various ways.
For example, SFPE has published the Recommended Minimum Technical Core Competencies for the Practice of Fire Protection Engineering.
This document establishes a framework for understanding the technical basis for this specialized engineering discipline that can be used throughout the globe.
In addition, in the United States of America, SFPE works with NCEES to develop the PE Exam in Fire Protection.
This exam is essential to the licensure of engineers in the United States.
Moving forward, SFPE will continue its work to ensure a competent workforce exists that will work tirelessly to reduce the risk of fire in our communities.
About the IFSJ Influencer
Chris Jelenewicz, CEO of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), has 35 years of experience as a licensed fire protection engineer.
He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering and is an SFPE Fellow.
He also is a retired volunteer fire chief.
IFSJ Influencers Edition 2024
The 2024 Influencers Special Edition of International Fire and Safety Journal is a collection of some of the most influential voices across the fire and safety industry, representing a collective following of 4.2 million.
Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, challenges, and forward-looking insights shaping the global fire and safety sector.
A recent study published in the journal Fire and Materials has evaluated the fire behaviour of recycled plastic pellets.
The research was conducted by Courtney Devine, Natalia Florez-Quiroz, and Prof. Richard Walls from Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN) and co-authored by Carlo Kuhn from Ignis Fire Testing.
The study, titled Fire Parameters of Recycled Plastic Pellets, investigates critical properties such as ignition time, heat release rates, flame spread, and smoke production to understand the fire risks associated with recycled plastics.
Findings revealed that factors such as material composition, processing methods, and additives significantly influence fire performance.
The research underscores the importance of implementing stringent fire safety measures for industries relying on recycled plastics, such as manufacturing and construction.
The study balances the rising demand for sustainability with the necessity for robust safety standards.
Academic and industry collaboration enhances fire safety research
The study highlights the collaboration between FireSUN and Ignis Fire Testing.
The partnership bridges academic research and industry practices to address practical challenges in fire safety.
Carlo Kuhn from Ignis Fire Testing said: “This collaboration bridges academia and industry to address real-world challenges.
“As the demand for recycled materials rises, understanding their fire behaviour is essential to ensure safety standards are met without compromising sustainability goals.”
Ignis Fire Testing supports initiatives such as training postgraduate students, co-authoring academic articles, and advancing fire safety knowledge.
Dirk Streicher, CEO of Ignis Fire Testing, added: “Our facilities and expertise enable us to support innovative research projects like this one.
“By contributing to studies like these, we’re not only addressing current safety concerns but also shaping the future of fire safety in a more sustainable world.”
Promoting South Africa’s role in fire safety innovation
The research highlights South Africa’s contributions to fire safety and sustainability.
Prof. Richard Walls, head of FireSUN, emphasised the global impact of local expertise.
“Research like this demonstrates South Africa’s capability to lead on a global stage,” said Walls.
“It’s exciting to see local expertise pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact on fire safety and sustainability worldwide.”
The study not only focuses on the flammability of recycled plastics but also strengthens South Africa’s position as a contributor to international fire safety research.
Summary: flammability of recycled plastic pellets studied by South African researchers
A study published in Fire and Materials evaluates the fire behaviour of recycled plastic pellets, highlighting the need for safety protocols in industries using these materials.
Conducted by researchers from Stellenbosch University’s FireSUN and Ignis Fire Testing, the research examines ignition time, heat release rates, and other key parameters.
The partnership between FireSUN and Ignis demonstrates how academic and industry collaboration can advance fire safety while addressing sustainability goals.
Prof. Richard Walls of FireSUN praised the study’s global impact, showcasing South Africa’s leadership in fire engineering research.
Claire Owens brings diverse leadership experience to Alpine
Claire Owens has been named Group Managing Director for Alpine Fire Ltd and DAS Fire Ltd.
She assumes this role with extensive leadership experience spanning industries such as automotive, logistics, telecommunications, and travel.
Her responsibilities will include overseeing the group’s continued growth, fostering collaboration among teams, and furthering Alpine’s expertise in the fire engineering sector.
Owens stated: “I am honoured to step into the role of group managing director at Alpine.
“I look forward to working alongside our talented team to drive growth and innovation and ensure that we meet the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining the highest safety standards.”
Focus on business scaling and growth
Claire Owens’ previous role involved managing over 2,000 employees.
Her approach at Alpine will centre on scaling operations, expanding service offerings, and exploring new business opportunities.
The company highlights its strategic commitment to growth, supported by its partners at WestBridge.
This includes the integration of DAS Fire following its acquisition and positioning Alpine as the UK’s leader in ESG fire engineering.
Steven Nanda, Alpine’s CEO, commented: “I am absolutely delighted that Claire has joined our leadership team.
“This is a significant appointment, supported by our partners WestBridge, which demonstrates our on-going commitment to growth and our aim to be the ‘go to’ specialist for complex fire suppression solutions.”
Strategic backing from WestBridge
WestBridge, which partnered with Alpine in 2022, has played a key role in enabling Alpine’s growth strategy.
The firm has prioritised investment in talent development and cultural excellence to support the company’s goals.
Peter Barkley, Partner at WestBridge, stated: “Having partnered with Alpine in December 2022, we have supported their continued investment in cultural excellence and the recruitment and development of high-quality talent, creating a robust platform to deliver the next phase of Alpine’s strategic growth plan.”
He added: “Alpine is still enjoying strong organic growth and following the recent acquisition of DAS Fire, it is a really exciting time to have Claire join the award-winning team at Alpine.”
Claire Owens appointed to lead Alpine Group: Summary
Claire Owens has been appointed Group Managing Director of Alpine Fire Ltd and DAS Fire Ltd.
She brings extensive leadership experience and will focus on scaling operations, exploring new business opportunities, and enhancing the group’s services.
CEO Steven Nanda and WestBridge Partner Peter Barkley welcomed her appointment, highlighting its alignment with Alpine’s ongoing strategic growth and recent acquisitions.
Alpine aims to strengthen its position as the UK’s leader in ESG fire engineering.
CHPK Group launches façade design service in response to industry demand
CHPK Group, a property and construction consultancy, has announced the introduction of a new Façade Design service.
The service is aimed at providing independent, comprehensive façade design solutions for building owners, architects, and contractors.
According to CHPK Group, this initiative addresses the growing need for fire safety compliance and structural integrity in façade design, incorporating expertise from their team of chartered fire engineers and structural façade specialists.
The service, led by Chouaib Lekmiti, director of external wall and façade, is designed to support both remediation projects and new builds.
It integrates fire safety and risk mitigation strategies at every stage, ensuring compliance with local and international safety regulations.
CHPK Group highlights that this approach combines safety, aesthetics, and structural integrity in its designs.
Comprehensive solutions for building lifecycles
CHPK Group’s Façade Design service aims to provide a holistic, full-service approach, covering all aspects of a building’s lifecycle.
The service streamlines project processes by offering clients a single point of contact from inception to completion.
It employs the latest technologies to enhance efficiency and ensure consistent project management.
Current projects include collaborations with Telford Homes and other clients, focusing on façade remediation work.
These projects involve replacing non-compliant insulation and materials with approved alternatives while maintaining the original design intent of the buildings.
Expert team with interdisciplinary experience
The Façade Design service team brings a range of expertise, including chartered fire engineers, façade designers, and structural façade engineers with architectural training.
This multidisciplinary approach enables the service to address complex requirements in modern construction projects.
Chouaib Lekmiti explained: “This service is a direct response to the urgent need for independent, accredited fire engineering advice to deliver fire safety compliance in façade design.
“Alongside the obvious safety and structural demands, we also know that façades play an important role in placemaking and must support quality architecture, design, and sustainability.”
Supporting architectural and sustainability goals
CHPK Group emphasises the importance of façades in creating sustainable and high-quality designs.
The Façade Design service aligns with broader architectural goals, ensuring that buildings are safe while enhancing their aesthetic and functional value.
By collaborating with architects, developers, and building owners, CHPK aims to integrate their façade design service with other CHPK Group offerings to provide comprehensive project solutions.
The consultancy also stresses its commitment to fostering client collaboration for optimal project outcomes.
CHPK Group introduces independent façade design service led by chartered fire engineers: Summary
CHPK Group has launched a Façade Design service to meet the demand for independent and accredited fire engineering solutions.
The service focuses on remediation and new build projects, incorporating fire safety strategies to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Led by Chouaib Lekmiti and a team of chartered fire engineers and façade specialists, the service integrates safety, aesthetics, and structural integrity into façade design.
Current projects include work with Telford Homes, replacing non-compliant materials while retaining original design aesthetics.
The initiative supports sustainable, high-quality architectural goals, with CHPK offering a single point of contact for streamlined project delivery.
Leigh Hill, Director, Built Environment Europe at Warringtonfire discusses the new $30m Fire Resistance Testing Laboratory which opens January 2025
With construction finished and handover now complete, Warringtonfire’s flagship fire resistance testing facility is entering the penultimate testing phase.
In this Q&A, Leigh Hill, Director, Built Environment Europe, Warringtonfire, answers some questions about what people can expect from the state-of-the-art laboratory once it opens in January 2025.
Leigh, can you give us an overview of the timeline that has led up to this point?
It is exciting to be at the stage where our new large-scale Warringtonfire laboratory is less than two months away from opening.
It’s taken a long time and huge amounts of work to get to this point.
However, I’m delighted to share that our $30m fire resistance testing laboratory is all set to officially open in January 2025.
Now that construction has finished, the team will be focusing on UKAS validation and accreditation for its five furnaces and operations.
We recently passed a pivotal milestone when the first official trials of two of our large-scale furnaces were carried out.
This represents the culmination of years of planning and hard work by the team.
The testing process is expected to be completed by the end of November and will ensure that the laboratory is ready to accept test specimens when it opens its doors.
And what’s happening with Warringtonfire’s previous laboratory?
While the new Birchwood site is completed, Warringtonfire’s resistance testing team will gradually transition from the Holmesfield Road laboratory as they prepare for opening.
As part of the expansion, 50 new jobs have already been filled, including all maintenance engineer, technical officer, and technical assistant positions.
The plan is for our technical and certification teams, currently based at a third site, to move into the new facility in the first week of December.
This change brings a wealth of benefits to our clients and colleagues, who will now be physically together to support and deliver the entire end-to-end process under one roof – from initial enquiry, testing, and technical evaluation, all the way through to certification decision.
This gives us the ability to service customers to a higher standard with the latest technology and collaborative processes, whilst developing multidisciplinary teams with expertise across the whole testing and certification process.
How does the capacity at the Birchwood laboratory compare to the Holmesfield Road site?
As we all work towards better building safety, the importance of fire testing continues to grow and with that comes greater demand.
That’s why the new Birchwood Park laboratory has been designed to double the capacity of the Holmesfield Road site and triple it in due course.
We’ve had an incredible amount of interest so far in testing at the new site, with clients already securing their bookings with us.
Testing slots are filling up quickly. We’re thrilled with the positive response and are looking forward to welcoming everyone soon.
What are some of the standout features the new laboratory has to offer?
We’re thrilled that the laboratory, in partnership with Tilbury Douglas, was recognised with a Bronze Award and a perfect score of 45 out of 45 under the Considerate Constructors Scheme during its construction earlier this year.
This scheme celebrates the efforts of construction sites, organisations and suppliers who commit to raising both environmental and community social value standards.
From the initial conception of the project, we have also aspired to incorporate sustainable principles at every stage, from the energy-efficiency and air quality measures integrated into the build, to the company’s continuing commitment to sustainable operations.
Equipment such as new abatement systems which clean the smoke to ensure that fumes from the fire testing process have negligible environmental impact have aided in this.
The laboratory is also prepared to utilise a blend of clean hydrogen and natural gas as soon as the local infrastructure supports it.
While the new laboratory will be at the forefront of sustainable fire resistance testing due to these measures, client confidentiality is also a core priority in our processes.
The facility features seven confidential spray booths, each with its own temperature-controlled environment, as well as custom-made steel screens that can be attached to test preparation bays to protect intellectual property.
Dedicated client viewing areas and strict workflows are also in place to safeguard sensitive information and ensure privacy.
Ahead of the launch, we are trialling full blank screens in front of the furnaces as an additional confidentiality measure during the test process.
Have you received any early feedback from your colleagues or customers on how the new site is shaping up?
From a team perspective, colleagues have spoken about the ways this new site could speed up responses and resolutions to queries and the potential for new career pathways across the business.
We have already received extremely positive feedback from client visits so far, all of which have recognised the scale of the operation and the improved facilities for installation, welfare, and testing.
The return to a single site with the technical team nearby was also well-received.
On 14 and 15 October, UKAS attended the site to witness a timber door test on the vertical furnace.
The assessor’s feedback was positive, and they were very impressed with the laboratory and the scale of the fire resistance testing that will be completed at Birchwood Park.
Thanks Leigh, finally can you share what you’re most excited about ahead of the new facility opening?
While a lot is changing for the better, plenty also remains the same.
This includes our priority, which is to deliver a safe, healthy workplace that protects our environment.
Fire resistance testing facilities are often expected to be dim, dusty, smoky places but we’re committed to showing that this is not the case.
Instead, our facility offers a clean, state-of-the-art facility for our customers and employees.
I’m particularly looking forward to making our clients and colleagues feel at home at Birchwood Park.
Not only do we want the site to serve as a testing facility, but we also want it to become a versatile environment where meetings can be held, and our team can thrive.
Once open, the Birchwood Park laboratory will be renowned as a world-leading fire resistance testing facility and set a high benchmark for other facilities to follow.
