Firefly systems installed during Birmingham Airport reconstruction
FIREFLY has reported that its Titan Lite 120:60 barrier system is being used in the second phase of refurbishment at Birmingham International Airport in the UK.
Installation is being carried out by KRASI Fire Protection, an approved FIREFLY installer working on behalf of main contractor Vinci.
The project involves forming fire-resistant compartments above corridor areas near the World Duty Free Zone, allowing older barriers to be dismantled and enabling building alterations to continue.
Titan Lite 120:60 used to provide roof void protection
According to FIREFLY, Titan Lite 120:60 is a three-layer barrier offering two hours of fire integrity and one hour of insulation.
The system is designed for concealed spaces such as roof voids and is manufactured from aluminium and layers of woven and non-woven glass fibre.
The manufacturer explained that this product has been widely used in industrial and sensitive environments including food processing sites and data centres.
Project team describes on-site installation approach
KRASI Fire Protection Project Manager Richard Dark said: “Our task throughout has been to install new fire barriers to permit the existing ones to be dismantled, and thereby enable the major alterations and renovation work that is taking place.”
He added: “The FIREFLY product range has been used here extensively in the past and the various details employed on the current work have been approved by the client and the airport’s own fire engineer.”
Dark explained: “The barriers are being formed using the Titan Lite with lengths of Unistrut to secure the top of the barrier due to the distance between purlins.”
Ancillary products used to complete the compartmentation system
The company stated that FB180 Batt is mechanically fixed through the Unistrut using FIREFLY Pigtail Screws to maintain the compartment line up to the roof.
It added that Penowrap is applied around purlin ends for insulation and Collaroll is used for service penetration protection.
Dark said: “Overall, the installation has progressed smoothly, and we are scheduled to return next month.”
Firefly Titan Lite barriers used in Birmingham Airport refurbishment: Summary
FIREFLY has confirmed that Titan Lite 120:60 fire barriers are being installed in Birmingham International Airport.
The barriers are part of a phased refurbishment project led by main contractor Vinci.
Installation is being completed by Midlands-based KRASI Fire Protection.
Titan Lite 120:60 is a three-layer system with two hours of fire integrity and one hour of insulation.
The material includes aluminium and woven and non-woven glass fibre.
The barriers are designed for use in concealed areas like roof voids.
KRASI Fire Protection has used Unistrut to secure the top of each barrier.
FB180 Batt, Penowrap and Collaroll are being used as part of the system.
Work is focused on compartmentation above corridor areas near the World Duty Free Zone.
Fire Seals Direct relocates operations to support fire protection growth
Fire Seals Direct has moved its main operations to a new 30,000 sq ft site in Ystrad Mynach, Fire Seals Direction has reported.
The Wales-based fire protection supplier relocated from the Pontygwindy Industrial Estate to a larger facility to accommodate recent growth.
The company’s turnover has tripled in five years, with average annual increases of 44 percent since 2021.
Its full-time workforce has also grown from two to 15 staff members during that time.
Fire Seals Direct said the move supports continued growth by enabling increased stock capacity and improved customer service.
The new location includes office space, warehouse storage and plans for a local click-and-collect service.
Managing Director outlines the reasons behind the expansion
Managing Director Anthony Robins said the new facility supports both product expansion and the company’s growing team.
Robins said: “In the last couple of years, we’ve onboarded hundreds of new products and seen our sales continue to climb – we’re growing at a significant pace.
“With the rapid expansion of our team and customer offering, we needed a larger office that could support our evolving needs.”
Robins added: “This new premises will not only provide us with the storage and office space we need to house our extensive product range and growing team, but it also offers an accessible location for our customers as we look to develop a click-and-collect service.”
He continued: “As a Caerphilly born-and-bred business, it was important to us to remain in the borough and this new space will enable us to boost our sales capacity and continue to grow.”
Business began as an online outlet for fire protection products
According to Fire Seals Direction, Fire Seals Direct was established in 2016 as an offshoot of CheckFire.
CheckFire is a fire safety equipment distributor originally founded in the 1970s by the grandfather of the current Managing Director.
The company said it created Fire Seals Direct to meet demand for consumer-facing fire protection products.
It began as a dedicated online retail platform to serve customers directly with fire doors, seals and associated components.
Since its founding, Fire Seals Direct has added 20 new brands to its portfolio.
Growth projections and capacity plans for new premises
The company said it is targeting 300 percent growth within five years.
It expects its headcount to exceed 50 employees during that period.
The new premises can accommodate up to 75 staff members across two floors.
Fire Seals Direct stated that the expansion is part of a broader strategy to increase both capacity and efficiency.
The facility includes upgraded warehouse space and modern offices for the sales and customer service teams.
Fire Seals Direct expands fire protection base in Ystrad Mynach: Summary
Fire Seals Direct has moved its main operations to a new 30,000 sq ft site in Ystrad Mynach.
The company previously operated from the Pontygwindy Industrial Estate.
Turnover has tripled over five years.
Average annual growth has been 44 percent since 2021.
The number of full-time employees has grown from two to 15.
The new location includes warehouse storage and modern office space.
A click-and-collect area is planned for local customers.
Fire Seals Direct was founded in 2016 as part of CheckFire.
The business supplies fire doors, seals and related products.
It was established to provide direct-to-consumer fire protection solutions.
Fire Seals Direct has added 20 brands to its portfolio in two years.
It aims to grow its headcount to over 50 within five years.
Spence said the fire industry must support new ideas that meet environmental and customer expectations.
He noted: “Innovation needs to be encouraged and new ideas explored and developed in all industries.”
Spence explained that Britannia Fire had transitioned fully to composite extinguisher production and is aiming to move away from traditional servicing models.
He said the company is using AI, sensor technology, and new agent types in its upcoming range.
Fire extinguisher design changes linked to circular economy goals
Spence told the audience that production methods must reflect the full life cycle of fire safety products.
He said: “Companies need to look at where improvements can be made to benefit the customer, the industry and the environment.”
He added: “If we can develop it, we can test it and we can ensure that it works then it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Spence said composite extinguishers can meet safety requirements while reducing carbon output, minimising servicing needs and extending lifespan.
He stated: “We have a 20 year lifespan PAS free reduction in carbon footprint, recyclable and it’s better for the environment.”
Industry regulation identified as key obstacle to change
Spence raised concern about the pace of regulation, particularly around British and European extinguisher standards.
He said: “We stifle innovation by not moving faster.”
He added: “It used to take five years to write a standard. It still takes five years. But it was five years 30 years ago.”
He noted that updates in communication and testing allow for faster revisions.
He said: “We’ve got email now. Somebody needs to tell them. It’s so easy. We can move a lot quicker.”
Local sourcing and PFAS-free materials highlighted in UK market
Spence reported that over 75 percent of extinguishers sold in the UK are imported from China, despite high transport distances and associated emissions.
He stated: “They travel 4,000 miles to the UK before we actually put them onto a wall.”
He added that composite extinguishers can be made in the UK using local materials and processes that reduce dependency on chemical treatments.
He said: “We have a full PAS free range of products as well.”
He also discussed fire agent options for lithium-ion battery incidents and outlined a new development for small-scale battery devices.
Britannia Fire outlines composite extinguisher approach at Dubai event: Summary
The IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference reported that Andy Spence spoke on behalf of Britannia Fire at the 2025 event.
He presented on changes in fire extinguisher manufacturing and servicing approaches.
Spence said composite materials now replace steel in Britannia Fire’s extinguishers.
He explained that the company’s P50 range uses less energy and lasts up to 20 years.
He reported that many extinguishers used in the UK are imported from China.
Spence said the company aims to use local sourcing and PFAS-free agents.
He stated that battery-ready units using AVD are now in development.
Spence raised concerns about regulation timelines within BSI and Europe.
He said the pace of standards development has not kept up with technological change.
He added that innovation must be supported to meet customer and environmental targets.
The presentation formed part of Britannia Fire’s Platinum Partner participation at the event.
Framework launched to support building compliance in public sector
Fusion21 has reported the appointment of 145 suppliers to its national Building Safety and Compliance Framework in the United Kingdom.
The four-year framework is valued at up to £800 million and was developed under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Fusion21 stated that 81% of awarded suppliers are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The framework is designed to help public sector organisations manage building safety obligations and demonstrate compliance under the Building Safety Act 2022.
According to Fusion21, the new framework includes a dedicated lot for sprinkler and mist systems.
It comprises twelve separate service areas covering asbestos management, legionella control, fire safety, passive and active fire protection, electronic security, and related areas.
Peter Francis, Group Executive Director (Operations) at Fusion21, said: “Our members continue to invest heavily to ensure the buildings they manage are safe.”
He continued: “With the introduction of the Building Safety Act (BSA 2022), the responsibility to ensure building compliance has grown, and we’re delighted to be able to continue supporting our members with this framework renewal as part of our ‘big six’ offer.”
Suppliers awarded across twelve building safety service lots
Fusion21 confirmed that the framework is divided into twelve lots.
These include fire risk assessments, asbestos removal, legionella consultancy, passive fire protection and warden call systems.
The organisation explained that feedback from stakeholders informed the framework design.
Peter Francis added: “Having listened to member and supplier feedback, we’ve created a new generation of the Building Safety and Compliance Framework, suitable for all building types across the public sector.”
He stated: “Working with a team of technical procurement experts and pre-qualified suppliers, our members will benefit from a fast route to market and flexible call-off options.”
SMEs form majority of appointed suppliers
Fusion21 stated that 81% of the successful suppliers are SMEs.
The organisation explained that this reflects a commitment to supporting diverse supplier bases.
It also said that this structure helps drive economic value within communities.
Francis said: “As with all Fusion21 frameworks, this latest framework enables our members to deliver social value they can see in communities, aligned with their organisational priorities.”
The company confirmed that the suppliers will provide both regional and national coverage.
Supplier list includes multidisciplinary and specialist firms
Fusion21 released the full list of companies appointed to the framework.
The suppliers include ABCA Systems Limited, BB7 Fire Limited, Harmony Fire Limited, Checkmate Fire Solutions Limited, Ventro Ltd, and Trail Group Limited.
Others include Tunstall Healthcare (UK) Limited, Ridge and Partners LLP, and Triangle Fire Systems Limited.
The selected firms represent a range of consultancy, inspection, engineering, and environmental service providers.
Fusion21 explained that all firms were pre-qualified to meet compliance standards and support building safety objectives under the framework.
Fusion21 appoints suppliers to £800m UK building safety framework: Summary
Fusion21 has appointed 145 suppliers to its national Building Safety and Compliance Framework.
The framework is worth up to £800 million over four years.
It was procured under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Fusion21 reported that 81% of the awarded suppliers are SMEs.
The framework is designed to support public sector organisations in the United Kingdom.
It is split into twelve lots covering asbestos, legionella, fire safety, and electronic systems.
Fusion21 added a dedicated lot for sprinkler and mist systems.
The organisation stated that supplier and member feedback informed the framework’s design.
Fusion21 said the framework supports fast procurement and flexible delivery.
The organisation stated that the suppliers will provide national and regional services.
Fusion21 explained that the framework aligns with Building Safety Act 2022 obligations.
It said the framework supports the delivery of community-based social value.
Fusion21 published a list of all appointed suppliers.
Bishoy N. Awad, Karli Steranka and Ulises Rojas-Alva assess fire and explosion risks in grid-scale BESS and the challenges of standardising hazard mitigation techniques
Introduction
The challenges of providing effective fire and explosion hazard mitigation strategies for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are receiving appreciable attention, given that renewable energy production has evolved significantly in recent years and is projected to account for 80% of new power generation capacity in 2030 (WEO, 2023).
This acceleration towards renewable energy adoption has contributed to the growing imbalance between electricity demand and renewable energy generation solutions (e.g., solar power plants) due to the misalignment between supply and demand (Bowers et al., 2023).
One of the robust and reliable solutions for this imbalance is BESS, which can be used to store energy generated during low demand for use during high demand periods.
In the US, the cumulative BESS capacity has increased since 2015, with 11.9 GW installed in 2024 (Martin et al., 2025).
A significant growth in BESS installation is anticipated worldwide, with over 1 TWh of new installations between 2023 and 2025 (Martin et al., 2025).
Figure 1 shows this increasing trend in global battery deployment and directly plots the battery failure rate per deployed GW of battery energy.
This graph shows an overall decrease in battery failures per GW installed with increasing installations.
Despite the global decrease in battery failure rates per GW installed, the deployment of BESS technology is hindered due to inherent fire and explosion hazards, public fear due to misinformation, and knowledge gaps in the fire safety industry, including a lack of clear guidelines or standards for the safety design of BESS across various applications.
Figure 1 Global Grid-Scale BESS Deployment and Failure Statistics (ERPI Failure Incident Database, Wood Mackenzie)
BESS Hazards
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is commonly used for stationary grid scale BESS and poses inherent fire safety hazards due to li-ion battery failure.
Li-ion batteries can fail due to physical abuse (e.g., puncture, deformation and/or exposure to elevated temperatures), electrical abuse (e.g., short circuity and/or overcharge), or manufacturing defects.
As a result, the battery generates heat and releases flammable battery vent gas.
This phenomenon can lead to thermal runaway.
Thermal runaway is a condition in which a self-heating chemical reaction occurs within the battery cell and releases flammable vent gas from the battery cell.
The battery gases released during thermal runaway vary in composition based on the battery chemistry (e.g., lithium-cobalt oxide (LCO) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP)), form factor, state of charge and manufacturer (Baird et al., 2020).
Depending on the installation conditions, thermal runaway may be limited to the initiating cell(s), or thermal runaway may propagate to adjacent cells due to conductive and convective heating or physical damage to adjacent cells due to swelling of the initiating cell.
Thermal runaway propagation can occur without oxygen and a flame (Gagnon, 2024).
The primary hazards posed by BESS are the flammable vent gases and heat generation associated with thermal runaway.
Figure 2 provides a high-level diagram of a battery failure scenarios and event pathways which lead to varying consequences.
As shown in the figure, the consequences associated with thermal runaway vary depending on multiple factors, including the point at which the battery gas reaches a competent ignition source.
Additionally, the severity of consequences depends on multiple factors, including but not limited to the initiating event, vent gas composition, state of charge, ambient conditions, installation conditions, and mitigation techniques (Jin et al., 2021).
The consequences associated with a BESS failure can be reduced with appropriate mitigation techniques and emergency response.
Mitigation techniques can be subdivided into passive and active protection methods.
Passive techniques typically reduce the likelihood of a consequence and provide passive protection to reduce the severity of consequences.
Active techniques focus on preventing an explosive atmosphere and providing active cooling to reduce the severity of thermal effects.
Figure 3 provides an overview of passive and active mitigation techniques.
Figure 3. Passive and active mitigation techniques
Explosion hazard mitigation for BESS typically involves deflagration venting in accordance with NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration, emergency ventilation system in accordance with NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, or a novel explosion protection system based on full-scale testing.
Because explosion control mitigation design requires the design engineer to make critical assumptions regarding the quantity of vent gas and vent gas composition, better characterization is needed on the quantity and composition of flammable gases to support the design of these systems (Long, 2021).
Typical explosion mitigation techniques are shown in Figure 4.
Fire hazard mitigation is typically provided via active suppression systems or passive exposure protection techniques.
There are no proven fire suppression methods to extinguish li-ion battery fires.
It is recommended that BESS fires burn in a controlled environment and that exposure control is provided to mitigate property and life safety hazards from the fire by reducing the radiant heat flux and pre-wetting adjacent combustibles to prevent fire spread.
Separation distances provided between BESS cabinets can also be used as a passive mitigation technique to reduce the thermal exposure from a fire event and limit container-to-container propagation, as proven by FM Global large-scale fire test (Ditch & Zeng, 2020).
Typical fire hazard mitigation techniques are shown in Figure 5.
Figure 6 shows computational fluid dynamic modelling results demonstrating the effectiveness of exposure control cooling water on the incident heat flux exposure at the exterior of a target BESS.
Figure 7 shows an iso-contour of an incident heat flux of 12 kW/m² and the impact of the separation distance on target units.
Figure 6. Target BESS exterior heat flux and TR propagation analysis with & without exposure cooling.
Although there are commonly accepted mitigation techniques, there is no widespread industry standard or code requirement for the design of these systems, which leads to significant variations in the level of safety provided between BESS products.
There is a need for widespread guidance to support BESS safety system designers for uniformity among BESS products.
EPRI, Fire and Risk Alliance, and RISE have all published explosion control guidance, which can be referenced in lieu of current formal guidance (Grönlund et al., 2023; Lauren Gagnon, 2024; Long, 2021).
Summary and outlook
BESS safety involves mitigating explosion and fire hazards through various techniques such as deflagration venting, emergency ventilation, and exposure protection.
Techniques for explosion mitigation include vent gas characterization and full-scale testing, while fire mitigation involves active suppression systems or passive exposure protection.
There are no proven methods to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires, so controlled burning and separation distances are recommended to prevent fire spread.
The future of BESS technology is promising, with expected growth in installations worldwide.
Ensuring safety is crucial for widespread adoption, and comprehensive guidance and standards are needed for uniform safety measures.
Effective mitigation techniques and improved safety design guidelines can help the industry overcome challenges and realize the potential of BESS in supporting renewable energy solutions.
Baird, A. R., Archibald, E. J., Marr, K. C., & Ezekoye, O. A. (2020). Explosion hazards from lithium-ion battery vent gas. Journal of Power Sources, 446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227257
Bowers, R., Fasching, E., & Antonio, K. (2023). As solar capacity grows, duck curves are getting deeper in California. US Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy.
Ditch, B., & Zeng, D. (2020). Development of Sprinkler Protection Guidance for Lithium Ion Based Energy Storage Systems.
Grönlund, O., Quant, M., Rasmussen, M., Willstrand, O., & Hynynen, J. (2023). Guidelines for the fire protection of battery energy storage systems (Rise Division Safety and Transport Fire Safe Transport, Ed.). RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB.
Jin, Y., Zhao, Z., Miao, S., Wang, Q., Sun, L., & Lu, H. (2021). Explosion hazards study of grid-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage station. Journal of Energy Storage, 42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.102987
Gagnon, L.. (2024). Explosion Control Guidance for Battery Energy Storage Systems Overview of Current Standards and Additional Recommendations. www.fireriskalliance.com
Long, D. (2021). Battery Energy Storage Systems Explosion Hazards.
Martin, H., Wang, C., & Buckley, T. (2025). International Solar PV and BESS Manufacturing Trends.
Revised standard prompts new UK fire safety guidance
ASSA ABLOY Door Group has reported that a UK-specific advisory has been issued regarding the use of thresholds in steel fire doorsets, following the revision of European Standard EN 15269-2.
The company said the British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a new UK National Foreword to accompany the revised standard, addressing concerns that certain threshold designs could reduce fire resistance.
The issue arose from testing which showed that adding a threshold – previously permitted without further justification under the standard – could negatively affect fire performance when used with some door core types.
UK industry testing identified risks in threshold designs
According to ASSA ABLOY Door Group, fire resistance tests revealed that thresholds added to steel fire doorsets may compromise safety, depending on the materials used in the door core.
The revised EN 15269-2 standard did not include changes to reflect this issue, as the test results became available too late in the revision process.
The UK voted against publication of the standard due to these concerns, although a majority vote from other European countries allowed its release to proceed.
UK National Foreword advises direct fire testing evidence
The UK National Foreword issued by BSI recommends that thresholds should only be included where supported by specific fire test evidence in accordance with EN 1634-1.
ASSA ABLOY Door Group stated that the advisory is non-normative but serves as important guidance to avoid assumptions in fire doorset design.
The company added that this aligns with guidance being shared by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which is informing members of the risks associated with untested thresholds.
ASSA ABLOY confirms product compliance with testing standards
Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Door Group, said: “ASSA ABLOY Door Group welcomes this clarification and strongly encourages manufacturers, specifiers, and contractors to act on the guidance now available.
“Ensuring fire doorsets are supported by robust test evidence is essential for protecting lives and meeting compliance expectations.”
ASSA ABLOY Door Group confirmed that its Powershield steel fire doorset range has been tested in accordance with EN 1634-1 and complies fully with fire resistance standards.
The company stated that these doorsets provide assurance of performance in real fire scenarios as well as alignment with regulatory requirements.
UK guidance updated on steel fire doorset thresholds following safety concerns: Summary
ASSA ABLOY Door Group has reported that the UK has issued a new National Foreword to EN 15269-2.
The foreword addresses concerns about the fire performance of steel doorsets with thresholds.
Testing revealed that thresholds may reduce fire resistance depending on core material.
These findings were too late to alter the revised European standard.
The UK voted against the standard’s publication due to these safety concerns.
The standard was still released after majority support from other EU member states.
The UK National Foreword advises using thresholds only when supported by EN 1634-1 test evidence.
The Door & Hardware Federation is also communicating this advice to its members.
Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Door Group, supports the updated guidance.
ASSA ABLOY Door Group stated that its Powershield steel fire doorsets are fully compliant with EN 1634-1.
As reported by the Scottish Government, the response outlines measures to improve building standards, strengthen fire safety systems, and ensure competence across construction professions in Scotland.
The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 caused 72 deaths and triggered a wide-ranging public inquiry into the roles of government, regulators, contractors and fire services.
Eight policy themes guide government’s reforms
The Ministerial Working Group on Grenfell, established in advance of the Phase 2 report’s publication, organised the recommendations into eight themes.
These cover regulation and systems, government restructuring, fire tests and product certification, design competence, firefighting, resilience, assorted matters and additional housing issues.
The Scottish Government’s response accepts the 58 recommendations where they apply to devolved matters and outlines a framework for working with the UK Government on reserved areas.
Newlegislation to improve building compliance and enforcement
The Scottish Government intends to introduce legislation following consultation to reinforce the building standards system.
Plans include a new compliance plan manager role, stronger enforcement powers and sanctions, and an expanded certification framework.
The Building Standards Futures Board will oversee implementation of these changes and continue its reform programme.
Fire safety campaign to target high-rise domestic buildings
A national fire safety awareness campaign will run through 2025 across high-rise buildings.
The campaign will focus on supporting vulnerable people with evacuation guidance and will promote Home Fire Safety Visits by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
The campaign is part of efforts to implement Inquiry Recommendation 57 and increase public knowledge on fire safety practices.
Training and competence in fire risk assessment to be strengthened
The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation to mandate accreditation for fire risk assessors, following a public consultation.
At present, there is no legal requirement for formal qualifications in Scotland.
This response addresses Recommendation 26, which highlights a lack of oversight and accreditation that contributed to failings at Grenfell Tower.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support digital transition and inspections
SFRS is replacing analogue radios with digital models and reviewing training and operations control.
HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland will conduct thematic inspections on incident command and control rooms, in line with Inquiry Recommendations 31 to 33.
The rollout of digital radios started in 2024 and is expected to complete in 2025.
Competency standards for fire engineers and architects under review
Scotland supports UK-wide action to regulate fire engineers and improve education for architects.
The government will engage with the UK Government and professional bodies to define competencies and expand access to fire engineering degree programmes.
Scotland is also reviewing continuing professional development requirements for designers and fire service personnel.
Personal emergency evacuation planning under consideration
The Scottish Government supports Recommendation 57 in principle and will explore the introduction of person-centred risk assessments or evacuation plans.
A 2025 campaign will share updated fire safety toolkits with factors, landlords and residents’ associations.
Further steps may follow the Scottish Law Commission’s 2026 recommendations on mandatory homeowners’ associations.
New protocols for firefighting equipment and water supply
SFRS will continue its review of fireground communication equipment, including radios and hydrant systems.
Existing protocols with Scottish Water will also be assessed to ensure adequate water pressure and access in emergencies.
Operational learning from incidents will remain a focus of internal reviews and assurance visits.
Greater integration of resilience planning with voluntary and community sectors
The Scottish Government will review resilience doctrine and guidance during 2025–2026.
Planned updates aim to clarify roles of Category 1 responders and strengthen partnerships with local authorities and community groups.
Training and learning needs will be identified through consultation to support future resilience capability.
Future work includes review of Section 2 (Fire) of the Technical Handbooks
Scottish Ministers will launch a Call for Evidence to review Section 2 (Fire) of the Building Standards Technical Handbooks.
The review will address standards for cladding, compartmentation and evacuation strategy for high-risk buildings.
Findings from the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report will inform this process alongside planned updates to the Scottish Advice Note on external walls.
Collaboration with UK Government on reserved matters
The Scottish Government confirmed it will work with the UK Government on matters such as construction product regulation, fire engineer licensure and contractor accreditation.
The UK Government’s Construction Products Reform Green Paper, published in February 2025, will inform the Scottish approach to product safety.
Scotland supports developing a shared product information library and single construction regulator across the UK.
Commitment to a culture of competence and regulation
Scottish Ministers will continue work on competence assessment for building professionals, including an independent evaluation scheme by 2027.
Engagement with the construction sector and public bodies will help ensure that regulatory changes are practical and enforceable.
Training, certification and clear accountability remain priorities for long-term system reform.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2: Scottish Government outlines building and fire safety reforms: Summary
The Scottish Government has published its official response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.
The government accepts all recommendations relevant to Scotland and outlines actions across eight policy themes.
Key reforms include planned legislation to strengthen the building standards system, enforce compliance, and improve fire risk assessment.
SFRS will support these actions with training, inspections and a new fire safety awareness campaign in 2025.
Legislation on new roles such as the Compliance Plan Manager and mandatory accreditation of fire risk assessors will be introduced following consultation.
The Scottish Government will also continue collaboration with the UK Government on reserved matters, including regulation of fire engineers and construction product safety.
A review of the fire standards within Section 2 of the Building Standards Technical Handbooks will be launched, with a call for evidence to be issued in 2025.
Further reforms will focus on competence, enforcement, resilience planning and support for vulnerable residents in high-rise buildings.
Global HSE Group was formed in 2006 and has grown into a leading provider of fire safety services and consultancy with an incredible multi-disciplinary team.
From 2009 onwards we started to build a team, but the real growth came post Grenfell. Unfortunately, I would argue that the writing was on the wall for that event.
This was when I recognised that creating a multi-disciplinary team would be something that is unique to Global and our ecosystem of talent is unmatched. We have a system in place to develop our teams and educate them to a high standard as I feel the industry is experiencing a real lack of competence skill sets.
Currently, we have Global Passive Fire, Global Technical Services, Building Environments, Health and Safety, Ceasefire Doors and our newest in the group- Global Academy.
Andrew Cooper
Our core values of commitment, integrity, teamwork and excellence run through our colleagues and business, ensuring we provide the best service to our clients.
How does your “do it right” ethos shape its approach to customer relationships and project delivery?
Interdependence has always been a key thing for me when hiring, because we want the right people in the right roles, who are able to see the wider context of the work they’re doing.
Ultimately, with the number of employees that we now have, you’ve got to be able to trust them. Their confidence, skill set and competency levels projects out to our clients and we’re proud that our work and client satisfaction levels speak for themselves.
Culturally, we aim to “do it right” and our core belief is that we will always go the extra mile to make sure things are right. We support clients from a variety of sectors, work with multi-site operators who have large portfolios and well-known brands.
What challenges does the Group face in achieving fire safety compliance?
Now, the sector and the requirements from government and compliance are changing rapidly, post Grenfell. Over the last three years, with Global Academy, we’ve been developing qualifications that we believe will fit these changes.
A challenge we have faced is recruitment, but we overcame this by searching nationwide and have colleagues based all over the UK to ensure we’re recruiting the top talent for the business and our clients.
Andrew Cooper
Whilst we attract people to the team with our ethos, I think there is a real gap in the market especially for those in construction. That’s partly why we’ve developed our new qualification, the Level 4 Fire Safety Design.
How does your expertise in passive fire protection contribute to enhancing safety standards in the industries you serve?
Whilst my experience with Global HSE Group goes back 20 years, the eco-system of talent we have created probably amounts to several 100 years’ worth of knowledge.
If we are delivering training and setting the bar, it’s imperative that we do things right. So, we use software to manage and control the processes that control our quality control and everything is logged under three different third-party schemes.
The extensive experience we have gained in the last 20 years is fundamental to how we approach projects, because we have learnt a lot- including how things were done wrong. This means that when we’re creating qualifications, we’re confident that the content fills the gap needed in the industry and raises the standard of operatives.
What are Global HSE Group’s plans for expansion in the near future?
We’re expanding into smoke control and AOV, within the Global Building Environments and the MEP team as well as doing CFD modelling.
Other areas of expansion will be into London; we currently have a team of employees on the contracting side there, but the technical team will be moving into a new office based in London.
We have colleagues based in all corners of the UK to ensure we have the right people and we’ll continue this recruitment strategy.
Andrew Cooper
Following recent engagement in the Middle East we are looking to expand into the region as well as Asia, with our training and technical services offerings. The new training qualification we have just written, the Fire Safety and Design has been deliberately written for both UK standard but also international, to accommodate to the requirements in the Middle East and Asia.
Training programme focuses on protecting heritage in times of crisis
ICCROM has announced the launch of the first track of its READY project, a year-long training course on protecting heritage during disasters and emergencies.
According to ICCROM, the programme will begin in May 2025 and run until February 2026.
It aims to support professionals who work with cultural heritage, including those involved in disaster response, civil protection, and climate adaptation.
The initiative is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and involves several technical partners across Europe.
The training will focus on collections, living traditions, and practices that are at risk due to extreme weather, climate change, and armed conflicts.
Programme to combine online and in-person sessions
ICCROM stated that the READY training is divided into four parts.
The first phase will consist of four weeks of online orientation sessions, running from late May to late June 2025.
This will be followed by a 15-day in-person training course starting after 15 July 2025 in Riga, Latvia.
Participants will then return to their home countries for the third phase, implementing field projects between August 2025 and February 2026.
The final phase will include an international online meeting to present the outcomes of these projects.
Applicants from Creative Europe countries invited to apply
The course is open to professionals from European and non-European countries participating in the Creative Europe programme.
ICCROM said the programme is aimed at people working in museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions, as well as community leaders and emergency response professionals.
Applications must be submitted online before 20 April 2025.
Participants will carry out field projects in their own regions
During the third phase of the course, participants will design and carry out practical projects to enhance heritage management in their own countries.
These projects are intended to apply the knowledge and methods taught during the earlier parts of the course.
ICCROM described the training as a way to improve both local and regional preparedness for emergencies affecting cultural heritage.
ICCROM announces Europe-wide READY course for cultural heritage protection: Summary
ICCROM has launched the first training track of its READY project on protecting cultural heritage during disasters and crises.
The course runs from May 2025 to February 2026 and includes online and in-person learning phases.
It is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.
The course will begin with online sessions in late May 2025, followed by a 15-day in-person workshop in Riga, Latvia.
From August 2025 to February 2026, participants will implement field projects in their home countries.
The programme concludes with an online international meeting.
The initiative is open to applicants from countries involved in the Creative Europe programme.
Professionals working in cultural institutions, as well as those in disaster response and climate adaptation roles, are eligible to apply.
Applications must be submitted before 20 April 2025.
Digital tool supports early-stage fire safety planning in UK construction
Promat has announced the launch of its digital specification platform MyPromat, designed to support the early identification and design of passive fire protection systems in building projects.
According to Promat, the platform enables architects and specifiers to select appropriate systems more efficiently.
The company said MyPromat provides access to design information, including built-in calculators to assess protection requirements.
Promat has also introduced an advanced version of the platform, MyPromat+, which includes building information modelling (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD) file access.
This service is available at no cost but requires user registration.
Passive fire protection tools now accessible online
Promat stated that MyPromat is aimed at helping construction professionals make informed decisions about fire safety systems during the earliest design stages.
The tool is designed to offer practical support in navigating fire protection regulations and identifying compliant systems.
The advanced version, MyPromat+, provides additional specification resources and technical files for use in digital design environments.
Nigel Morrey, Technical Director at Promat UK, said: “Passive fire protection is a critical part of the safety of any building and is a driving force for the Building Safety Act.
“Choosing the right passive fire protection systems and products at the earliest stage is vital, and rightly so, but this can be confusing and time consuming without specialist support.”
Platform designed to aid transparency and compliance
The company stated that MyPromat+ was developed to align with requirements for traceability and accountability in building safety.
This includes supporting the ‘golden thread’ of information mandated by recent UK legislation.
Morrey said: “Importantly, we wanted to create a trail so all parties involved can show the building meets safety standards and supports the transparency needed for the golden thread, and throughout the lifetime of the building. This is where MyPromat+ comes in.”
The tool aims to ensure that fire protection specifications are documented and accessible throughout the lifespan of a building.
Registration details and access to MyPromat+
Both MyPromat and MyPromat+ are offered without charge.
Users can access the basic platform directly, while registration is required to unlock the additional features available in the MyPromat+ version.
Promat confirmed that the platform is now available to UK users and is part of its effort to support industry compliance with fire safety design responsibilities from project inception.
Promat introduces MyPromat platform for early-stage passive fire protection design: Summary
Promat has launched a digital specification platform named MyPromat to support early-stage design of passive fire protection systems in the UK.
The basic version provides access to system selection guidance and performance calculators.
An advanced version, MyPromat+, adds BIM and CAD file downloads to assist with technical specification.
Both versions are free to use, though MyPromat+ requires registration.
Promat stated the tool aims to help meet requirements of the UK Building Safety Act, offering a record of compliance to support the golden thread principle.
The platform is now available to architects and specifiers.
