Multitone quality lead sets out ISO standards strategy for critical communications

by CommunicationsFeatured NewsIndustry CommentSafety

Multitone quality assurance expertise in critical communications

Multitone has published an interview with Sarah Cannon, Group Quality Assurance lead at Multitone Electronics, outlining how ISO compliance, governance and risk management are applied across its critical communications operations.

The discussion focuses on oversight of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22301 and ISO 27001 and how these frameworks are embedded across international teams to support reliability, information security and business continuity.

Cannon linked standards compliance directly to trust in high-risk settings where systems must operate without failure.

Cannon said: “Compliance with ISO standards such as quality management and information security isn’t just about certification – it’s about trust.

“Our customers rely on Multitone for solutions that must work first time, every time, often in high-risk environments.

“By embedding these standards into our daily operations, we reduce risk, improve reliability, and ensure consistency across everything we deliver.

“For customers, this means confidence that their data is protected, their systems are robust, and their supply partner takes governance and accountability seriously.

“That trust is the significant competitive advantage in critical communications that Multitone has always offered and always will.”

The interview frames ISO alignment as an operational discipline integrated into routine decision-making rather than treated solely as an audit requirement.

Multitone approach to consistent quality across international teams

The interview addresses the challenge of maintaining consistent quality assurance practices across the UK, Malaysia and Germany without imposing rigid uniformity.

Cannon described the focus as clear communication, practical guidance and engagement with local teams so processes are understood and used rather than simply recorded.

Cannon said: “It is making sure we’re consistent without being rigid.

“Different locations naturally have different ways of working, so it’s important not to take a one-size-fits-all approach.

“I’ve focused on clear communication, practical guidance, and working closely with local teams so they understand the “why” behind the processes.

“Through regular check-ins, internal audits and open discussions, I ensure teams understand, support, and always use our quality systems, rather than simply documenting them.”

She also outlined how legislative compliance is positioned as a shared responsibility linked to safety, customer satisfaction and protecting the business.

Multitone links compliance discipline with structured decision-making

The interview draws parallels between compliance work and Cannon’s role as a magistrate in the family court, identifying shared skills such as evidence assessment, impartiality and consistent application of standards.

Cannon said: “Surprisingly, yes. There’s a lot of overlap.

“I think compliance and the magistracy share a similar ‘DNA.’

“Both roles draw their strength from fairness and integrity, requiring me to apply rules and frameworks consistently while remaining mindful of context and impact.

“In each case, there is a responsibility to make balanced, well-reasoned decisions that stand up to scrutiny.

“Many of the skills I rely on in compliance translate directly into the magistracy.

“These include strong attention to detail, the ability to assess evidence objectively, and confidence in interpreting and applying standards or legislation.

“Equally important are good judgement, clear communication, and the willingness to ask the right questions to fully understand a situation before reaching a conclusion.

“Perhaps most importantly, both roles require empathy alongside professionalism.

“Whether working in compliance or sitting as a magistrate, you are often dealing with complex situations that affect people in very real ways.

“Being able to remain impartial while understanding the human impact of decisions is a shared and essential skill in both.

“Ultimately, both roles are about responsibility, judgement, and doing the right thing, even when decisions aren’t easy.”

The interview positions Multitone’s compliance strategy within the context of delivering critical communications systems used by fire and rescue services and other emergency response organisations.

The infrastructure time bomb: IFSJ explains why fire service facilities are falling behind modern risk

by Breaking NewsIndustry Comment

Confronting the dual crisis of ageing infrastructure and shrinking capital, by Duncan J. White

Across the municipal fire and rescue sector, there’s an uncomfortable truth we can no longer ignore; much of our infrastructure is reaching the end of its useful life, while the capital needed to replace or modernise it remains elusive.

Fire stations built in the 1950s and 60s are still serving as operational hubs in 2025, often with minimal adaptation to meet the demands of a modern, multi-hazard emergency service.

The consequences are visible every day.

Apparatus bays are too small for contemporary appliances.

Training grounds with limited scope for live fire or technical rescue exercises.

Facilities that fall short of modern health, safety, and inclusivity standards.

Add to that a growing list of deferred maintenance items, roof repairs, electrical upgrades, HVAC replacements, and the picture is one of quiet decline.

The cost of underinvestment

This is not due to complacency within the sector.

Fire services have long stretched limited budgets to keep frontline capability intact, often prioritising people and vehicles over bricks and mortar.

But the compounding effect of decades of underinvestment is now becoming clear.

When a critical building system fails or a facility becomes unfit for purpose, operational resilience and community safety are both at risk.

At the same time, the expectations placed on fire and rescue services have expanded dramatically.

The modern firefighter must be ready for structural fires, wildfires, road traffic collisions, hazardous materials, water rescues, and medical emergencies – all requiring specialised facilities, technology, and training environments.

Infrastructure built for a narrower remit can no longer support these realities.

Yet securing capital remains a persistent challenge.

Municipal budgets are under pressure from all directions, and long-term capital programmes struggle to compete with short-term political priorities.

In many cases, the lack of comprehensive asset management data makes it difficult to build a compelling investment case until failure becomes imminent.

Planning smarter and funding differently

To move forward, the sector needs a dual strategy: smarter planning and innovative funding.

Lifecycle asset management, supported by condition assessments, data analytics, and transparent risk reporting, can help authorities prioritise spending based on operational risk, not just budget cycles.

At the same time, exploring new funding mechanisms, shared emergency hubs, regional capital programmes, or partnerships with the private sector, could provide much-needed momentum.

Ageing infrastructure is not just an engineering concern; it’s a resilience issue.

Every year we defer renewal; the cost and risk grow.

The fire and rescue service has always been defined by preparedness.

Now, that preparedness must extend beyond response, to the very foundations of where and how we operate.

Stay safe!

This was originally published in the February 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

London Assembly Fire Committee addresses industry criticism over lifestyle references in contaminants report

by Breaking NewsIFSJ ExclusivesIndustry Comment

Lifestyle concerns and the Committee’s response

The London Assembly Fire Committee (LAFC) has responded to criticism that references to lifestyle could distract from occupational exposure in its inquiry into fire contaminants.

The comment was provided to the International Fire and Safety Journal (IFSJ) editorial team in response to a query about concerns raised by parts of the sector.

The Committee said: “The Committee has taken a keen interest in firefighter health and wellbeing this Assembly year, both through this investigation into fire contaminants and in January when we questioned guests on the challenges around mental health and wellbeing.

“The fire contaminants investigation was squarely focused on understanding the occupational risks that firefighters face from exposure to fire contaminants.

“Yet, we did hear evidence that lifestyle factors can influence overall health outcomes.

“These factors were mentioned only where relevant to understanding the full context of firefighter health and wellbeing, not as a substitute for occupational risk.

“Occupational exposure to contaminants remains the Committee’s primary concern and the basis for our recommendations, such as establishing nationwide exposure and health monitoring and strengthening PPE and decontamination practices.

“Effective prevention and exposure reduction require addressing both workplace hazards and supporting overall health, but our scrutiny and recommendations are focused on eliminating avoidable occupational exposures as a priority.

“We will continue to emphasise this core focus in follow-up work and engagement with stakeholders.”

Report findings and recommendations on exposure in London

The LAFC report Exposure to fire contaminants in London: A hidden, growing risk? sets out evidence and recommendations linked to firefighters’ exposure to hazardous substances at incidents in London.

The findings identify asbestos, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants among contaminants present at incidents.

The Committee notes that definitive UK evidence on cancer causation is still emerging.

Research presented to the Committee shows higher cancer incidence and abnormal tumour markers among firefighters compared with the general population.

Fire Brigade Union commissioned research found that 4% of firefighters surveyed, around 1 in 25, reported a cancer diagnosis in a self-reported sample of more than 11,000 personnel.

Prevalence was highest among those aged 35 to 39, around three times the rate seen in the general population.

Between 10% and 15% of respondents were recorded as having abnormal tumour markers, compared with a control group drawn from the public.

The report concludes that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Fire Contaminants Policy has shifted attitudes away from the “badge of honour” of dirty kit.

Implementation varies across stations, with limitations in personal protective equipment availability and older station layouts cited as factors.

The Committee urges the Government and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to reduce firefighters’ exposure to fire contaminants.

Recommendations include creating a UK-wide exposure and health monitoring programme for firefighters.

The report also proposes a pilot of operational exposure monitoring in London, with a time-limited programme for operational firefighters scoped in 2026/27 and launched in 2027/28, developed with academic and occupational health experts.

Further measures include stronger training, assurance and compliance with fire contaminants policies, improved PPE supply and procurement planning, and greater emphasis on health promotion within occupational health services.

The Committee also asks the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) to review evidence on cancer risks linked to firefighting.

Zack Polanski AM said: “Fires don’t end when the flames are out as toxic contaminants can remain long afterward.

“Firefighters accept risk as part of the job, but exposure to toxic chemicals should not be an unavoidable consequence of protecting the public.

“While London Fire Brigade has made real progress, this report shows more needs to be done to understand and reduce the long-term health risks firefighters face.”

The report references the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2023 designation of occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic, alongside a call for more UK-specific research.

It also records that London firefighters receive routine medicals every three years, including basic cardiorespiratory checks and an asbestos-specific element.

The report notes that comprehensive cancer screening for firefighters is complex, with mesothelioma and bladder cancer cited as examples where safe, reliable population-level screening tests are not currently in routine NHS use.

The report records that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) considers the existing regulatory framework sufficient to reflect firefighting’s classification as a carcinogenic occupation, citing the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations and Workplace Regulations.

Union and academic criticism of lifestyle references

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has criticised a recommendation in the report that refers to “positive lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, physical fitness, diet, sleep hygiene, and alcohol awareness”.

Steve Wright said: “Firefighters are dying younger and living with life-altering cancers and chronic illness.

“These are preventable occupational deaths, and this is a national scandal.

“The UK is decades behind other countries on this issue, and this report underlines the urgent need for basic, long-overdue measures: stronger prevention measures, regular health monitoring for all firefighters, and re-evaluation of compensation for firefighters’ occupational diseases.

“However, firefighters will rightly find the references to ‘lifestyle’ offensive.

“Firefighters are not getting sick because of personal choices – they are getting sick because they are being systematically exposed to toxic substances in the course of their work.

“When so many other countries and international bodies are doing the right thing and recognising the risks firefighters face, it is time for our own government to stop ignoring the evidence and act.”

Anna Stec said: “While the report makes positive recommendations on the need for a UK-wide rollout of harmonised contamination exposure tracking and health monitoring for firefighters, the argument that firefighter cancers and diseases could be reduced through lifestyle changes is fallacious.

“Lifestyle factors influence health outcomes in any population, but they do not explain the elevated rates of cancer and disease seen in firefighters.

“Why should firefighters be expected to adopt such changes in order to compensate for the toxic environments they are routinely exposed to at work?”

The Committee’s response to the lifestyle criticism sits alongside its broader call for exposure monitoring, policy compliance and PPE and decontreve practices to reduce long-term health risks for firefighters.

Building Information Modelling data is shaping door hardware specification, says Consort

by ConstructionFeatured NewsFire DoorsIndustry CommentPassiveSafety

Building information modelling requirements and product data

Consort Architectural Hardware Director Daniel May has published commentary on the growing demand for Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its influence on design, specification and compliance processes.

Digital product data is now expected from early-stage design through to compliance, maintenance and product lifecycle management.

Since 2016, UK central government clients have required collaborative digital information management on centrally procured projects, commonly referred to as BIM Level 2.

These requirements are now set out through the UK BIM Framework and BS EN ISO 19650 standards, which expect construction partners to provide accurate, structured and accessible digital information for their products.

How digital workflows are changing specification

Architectural hardware, historically underrepresented in digital planning, is increasingly supported by 3D models, certification and performance data across expanding product libraries.

Project teams are moving away from paper-based resources such as brochures, PDF catalogues and basic CAD line drawings toward integrated digital workflows using platforms including Revit and NBS.

Forthcoming Digital Product Passports (DPP), expected to be mandated by the EU, are likely to further embed this approach.

BIM product data is now being used to support UK Government mandates for digital construction and the ‘Golden Thread of Information’, fire safety regulations that require verifiable product information and sustainability reporting that relies on accessible Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and lifecycle data.

Products that cannot be represented accurately in a digital model risk being excluded from project specifications.

Fire doorsets, traceable data and access to files

May’s commentary highlights that door hardware, while a small proportion of overall project value, has an outsized role in safety, performance, accessibility and compliance.

For fire doorsets, the effectiveness of the assembly depends on the performance of individual hardware components.

Within BIM, parametric data attached to items such as door closers can be used to validate fire ratings, confirm accessibility and identify coordination issues with ceilings, frames or other adjacent elements.

The commentary links post-Grenfell regulatory and cultural expectations to a stronger demand for traceable, verified product information, and references Martyn’s Law as an example of emerging legislation likely to shape how public spaces are designed and secured.

AEI Cables outlines what building legislation means for fire performance cables

by Featured NewsIndustry CommentPassiveSafety

Building legislation and early project collaboration

New building legislation affecting electrical supply chains can be addressed through early collaboration between parties on a project, says AEI Cables.

The company said recent additions to legislation are creating new demands on electrical and fire safety, including the Building Safety Act 2022.

The Act introduces requirements for higher-risk buildings, defined as those at least 18 metres high or at least seven storeys, containing at least two residential units.

Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “When the various parties get together early in the process there is often an agreement on roles and how the project’s legislative requirements can be achieved.

“The shared responsibility is important and helps everyone when we are ultimately dealing with the safety of people moving about in large buildings and spaces.”

Cable requirements linked to records and fire performance

The Building Safety Act includes the Golden Thread, which requires a comprehensive record of safety-related information to be kept throughout the lifecycle of a building, with a focus on clear communication between all parties.

AEI Cables has also highlighted collaboration as a way to help meet demand for Category 3 Control fire performance cables identified under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice.

The company said these cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.

It said the systems powered by these cables include smoke and heat extraction systems that assist fire services in firefighting and support safe evacuation in life safety situations.

The guidance for Category 3 Control fire performance cables applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.

AEI Cables said its Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control, in addition to Category 2 Control.

It said the BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables, each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.

The company said its products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) and LPCB, and that it also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL.

Fire Brigades Union criticises lifestyle references in London contaminants report

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyIndustry Comment

Lifestyle references criticised by the Fire Brigades Union

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the London Assembly Fire Committee report Exposure to fire contaminants in London: A hidden, growing risk?.

In its statement, the FBU said the report includes a recommendation referring to “positive lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, physical fitness, diet, sleep hygiene, and alcohol awareness”.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Firefighters are dying younger and living with life-altering cancers and chronic illness.

“These are preventable occupational deaths, and this is a national scandal.

“The UK is decades behind other countries on this issue, and this report underlines the urgent need for basic, long-overdue measures: stronger prevention measures, regular health monitoring for all firefighters, and re-evaluation of compensation for firefighters’ occupational diseases.

“However, firefighters will rightly find the references to ‘lifestyle’ offensive.

“Firefighters are not getting sick because of personal choices – they are getting sick because they are being systematically exposed to toxic substances in the course of their work.

“When so many other countries and international bodies are doing the right thing and recognising the risks firefighters face, it is time for our own government to stop ignoring the evidence and act.”

Anna Stec, Professor of Fire Chemistry and Toxicity at the University of Lancashire, said: “While the report makes positive recommendations on the need for a UK-wide rollout of harmonised contamination exposure tracking and health monitoring for firefighters, the argument that firefighter cancers and diseases could be reduced through lifestyle changes is fallacious.

“Lifestyle factors influence health outcomes in any population, but they do not explain the elevated rates of cancer and disease seen in firefighters.

“Why should firefighters be expected to adopt such changes in order to compensate for the toxic environments they are routinely exposed to at work?”

Report findings and recommendations highlighted in the statement

The FBU statement also set out points from the London Assembly Fire Committee report, including its warning that firefighters in London may be routinely exposed to hazardous substances released during fires.

The findings identify asbestos, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants among contaminants present at incidents.

The Committee notes that definitive UK evidence on cancer causation is still emerging.

Research presented to the Committee shows higher cancer incidence and abnormal tumour markers among firefighters compared with the general population.

The FBU said research it commissioned found that 4% of firefighters surveyed, around 1 in 25, reported a cancer diagnosis in a self-reported sample of more than 11,000 personnel.

Prevalence was highest among those aged 35 to 39, around three times the rate seen in the general population.

Between 10% and 15% of respondents were recorded as having abnormal tumour markers, compared with a control group drawn from the public.

The Committee concludes that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Fire Contaminants Policy has shifted attitudes away from the “badge of honour” of dirty kit.

Implementation varies widely across stations, partly because of limitations in personal protective equipment availability and older station layouts.

The Committee urges the Government and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to reduce firefighters’ exposure to fire contaminants.

Recommendations include creating a UK-wide exposure and health monitoring programme for firefighters.

A pilot of operational exposure monitoring in London is also proposed.

Further measures call for stronger training, assurance and compliance with fire contaminants policies, improved PPE supply and procurement planning, and greater emphasis on health promotion within occupational health services.

The Committee also asks the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) to review evidence on cancer risks linked to firefighting.

Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee Zack Polanski AM said: “Fires don’t end when the flames are out as toxic contaminants can remain long afterward.

“Firefighters accept risk as part of the job, but exposure to toxic chemicals should not be an unavoidable consequence of protecting the public.

“While London Fire Brigade has made real progress, this report shows more needs to be done to understand and reduce the long-term health risks firefighters face.”

The report links decontamination practices, station design and long-term health monitoring as related areas for further action.

Allegion UK commentary links building safety to digital fire door data

by Featured NewsFire DoorsIndustry CommentSafety

Building safety and digital fire door information

Allegion UK has published commentary from Sue Corrick on how digital information is being used in building safety, including how fire door hardware can act as a source of recorded data.

The commentary argues that improving the structure, quality and usability of digital handover information is central to meeting Regulation 38 and Golden Thread requirements.

Standardised, accessible asset data is presented as a way to support hardware specification, installation and maintenance across the supply chain.

It suggests that even highly mechanical components such as fire door closers can contribute to a more data-centred approach to compliance and building operation.

Certification, records and what data is used for

Corrick’s commentary sets out how testing and certification data for fire doors and their hardware components has often been inconsistent, missing or unverified.

Much of this information has historically been held in disconnected paperwork systems.

The piece states that test evidence should clearly show classifications, limitations and compatibility between components such as door closers, hinges and leaf assemblies.

Assessment reports should be transparent, retrievable and directly linked to a manufacturer’s products.

Digital record keeping is described as increasingly necessary for duty-holders who are responsible for products remaining reliable and suitable across a project’s lifecycle.

The Building Safety Act is said to have increased attention on competency and traceable, accessible product information.

The Golden Thread of Information is described as a legal requirement under the Act and a framework for creating, maintaining and accessing verified product data.

The commentary also references government proposals for a centralised library for construction products to expand regulatory coverage and support decision-making.

Inspection data from the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is cited as showing that care and maintenance issues are present in 54% of fire door inspections.

The piece gives examples of how door closer information can be embedded with the product itself, including video installation guides accessed via QR codes and safety critical data available through the Golden Thread.

Corrick said: “Fire door safety will always remain a technical discipline, but in an age where information can be accessed instantly from our fingertips, even a mechanical fire door closer has a digital voice.”

Fire Aware sets out cultural change aims in plain terms

by Featured NewsIndustry CommentSafety

Cultural change across sectors is Fire Aware’s focus

Fire Aware has published commentary calling for cultural change across multiple sectors it describes as vulnerable to fire risk.

The organisation is focusing on property and construction, plus hospitality, healthcare, the public sector and retail.

Fire Aware CEO Gavin Skelly said: “Fire Aware crosses the boundaries of sectors that have responsibilities for end-user safety.

“This is not just about construction companies.

“We are working with any organisation that wants to show the public that they are responsible and are committing to only delivering the safest outcome for their staff, clients and customers.”

Sectors highlighted for responsibility in buildings

Skelly cited sectors with particular responsibilities for people who work and move about in their buildings, including hospitality covering bars, restaurants and hotels.

Healthcare was also identified as a focus, with reference to protecting vulnerable and elderly people, including those who are ill or cannot look after themselves in the event of a real fire.

Skelly added: “Working in this industry is a vocation, not a job, and should be treated as such.

“All parts of the supply chain across multiple sectors should work with the same vocational approach, not just those who are qualified to do so.

“The legislation being introduced is robust and also quite complex.

“The guidance and support we offer will help navigate the relevant parts for our members and for anyone else wishing to tap onto this knowledge and intelligence.”

Charters and a moral code of conduct

Fire Aware described its work as focusing on the moral responsibility of those working in the fire safety supply chain, including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders.

It said it aims to change the culture of the built environment sector by introducing a moral code of conduct via a series of charters intended to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care.

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