The critical aspects of fire and smoke dampers with M&G Fire Protection

by Breaking NewsPassive

M&G Fire Protection discusses critical aspects of fire and smoke dampers, offering expert guidance on installation, testing, and maintenance

Fire dampers are safety devices installed in the ductwork of buildings to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the ventilation system.

When a fire is detected, these dampers close automatically, limiting the potential damage of the fire.

Fire dampers play a vital role in maintaining buildings’ structural integrity and safety during a fire.

M&G Fire Protection has been protecting life and property for over 25 years.

Our experienced damper team each has at least ten years of experience in ductwork, and they share some of their experiences, knowledge, and advice.

Which buildings need dampers?

Dampers are essential in various buildings, including commercial, residential, healthcare, hospitality, leisure, and educational facilities.

Buildings with complex layouts and extensive ductwork need these devices, as they are placed inside the ductwork that passes through fire compartment walls and floors.

This ‘traps’ the fire in the affected area, preventing it from starting in one room and eventually spanning the whole property.

Types of fire Dampers

Electrical Fire and Smoke Dampers: These systems can be centrally controlled and managed by a Building Management System (BMS), and faults can be located.

The dampers can also be connected to the building’s fire alarm system and trigger when the fire detectors are in an alarm state.

Mechanical Fire Dampers: These dampers are triggered by a ‘fusible link’ when the temperature increases beyond a set parameter, most commonly between 75⁰C – 100⁰C; this consists of a piece of metal that keeps the damper open, and when high heat is applied, the metal piece breaks, and causes the shutters to close.

Smoke dampers can be configured to open instead of close during a fire event.

This helps the ventilation system channel the smoke out of the building.

Maintenance, testing, and compliance

The guidelines for the maintenance and testing of dampers are in BS 9999 and BESA’s (Building Engineering Services Association) VH001 Technical Bulletin.

These guidelines require all dampers to be tested at minimum annually.

  • Identification: finding the location of dampers in your building
  • Inspection: a visual check of the installation and state of repair
  • Testing: a physical drop test to ensure that each Fire Damper device is operating correctly, and the internal cleanliness of the damper is recorded as heavy contamination of dirt and dust can prevent it from fully closing, allowing smoke and fire to pass
  • Resetting: replacing the fire damper to its ‘ready’ state if required
  • Reporting: Record maintenance is an essential element of compliance.
  • Building owners are now legally required to store these records digitally so everything is traceable, and someone is accountable

Despite these guidelines, it is common for building owners to neglect these tests due to financial constraints, lack of knowledge, bad practices, and flawed building design.

This not only violates safety standards but also poses significant legal and safety risks.

Problem #1: Neglecting annual testing

One of the primary issues we see is that many buildings do not conduct the necessary annual tests on their fire dampers.

Financial limitations are often cited as the reason, but this neglect clearly violates safety standards.

With the amendment to the Building Safety Act of October 2023, which enforces stricter regulations, non-compliance can lead to severe legal repercussions, including prosecution of building owners.

Fortunately, these more stringent laws have prompted many to take their responsibilities more seriously, ensuring their fire dampers are tested and maintained regularly.

Problem #2: Damaged dampers

Another significant problem is the presence of broken fire dampers, which can lead to inadequate airflow within the building.

This results in uncomfortable conditions, such as overheated rooms, leading occupants to devise dangerous makeshift solutions, and throughout our years, we have seen it all.

For example, we have seen numerous apartment blocks that have trapped open their dampers with utensils, compromising the fire protection system and putting everyone in the building at greater risk in the event of a fire.

It is crucial to immediately address and replace any damaged dampers to maintain safety and comfort.

Problem #3: Design flaws

The damper engineer will need access to the building’s technical drawings to see an accurate representation of the ductwork design and to determine the quantity and location of the fire dampers installed throughout the building.

However, design issues are another common challenge – particularly in older buildings.

Although, we recently visited a care home that was just one year old, and at least 50% of the dampers were inaccessible, meaning we couldn’t test them.

In this building, the dampers were located behind toilets, making them inaccessible without costly modifications that the client would not want to pay for.

We have also been at an old hotel where 80% of the dampers were inaccessible.

This complicates maintenance, as reporting on inaccessible dampers takes just as long, if not longer, than testing them.

It also poses a significant risk, as unmaintained dampers may malfunction in an emergency.

We’ve worked on some higher-risk buildings in which the client has agreed to pay to fit access doors to the ductwork to make it accessible for testing and cleaning.

Some buildings cannot get insurance without such modifications.

Solutions and recommendations

To address these issues, we recommend the following steps:

Regular testing and maintenance: Follow the annual testing requirements strictly to ensure all fire dampers are in working order.

Immediate repairs: Replace any damaged dampers promptly to avoid compromising the building’s fire safety system.

Design considerations: During the design phase of new buildings, ensure that fire dampers are accessible for future maintenance and testing.

This foresight can prevent costly modifications and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Digitally store service reports: After each service visit, we provide clients with a comprehensive digital service report detailing the condition and accessibility of each damper.

This helps building owners prove that they have done their due diligence and had their dampers tested.

Fire dampers are a critical component of a building’s fire safety strategy.

Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and thoughtful design can significantly enhance their effectiveness, ensuring the safety and well-being of building occupants.

To learn more about installing and maintaining fire dampers, visit mgfire.co.uk or speak with our team of in-house damper specialists at info@mgfire.co.uk.

This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Sherwin-Williams fire protection coatings used in Blackpool government building construction

by Featured NewsPassiveProjects

Construction of £100m Blackpool government office underway

As reported by Sherwin-Williams, the company’s fire protection coatings are being used in the construction of a new £100m government office building in Blackpool.

The seven-storey, 215,000-square-foot building, located on King Street, will house over 3,000 civil servants and is part of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration project.

Vinci Building is the main contractor responsible for this development, which aims to boost footfall and job opportunities in Blackpool town centre.

Sherwin-Williams has provided passive fire protection solutions for the building’s prefabricated steel frame.

These coatings are designed to expand when exposed to fire, creating an insulating barrier that delays the time it takes for steel to lose its load-bearing capacity.

The steel frame was fabricated by Leach Structural Steelwork, which applied Sherwin-Williams’ FIRETEX FX6002 coating to external steel, while JM Passive Fire Protection is applying FIRETEX FX1003 and FX6010 to the internal framework.

Fire protection solutions tailored for Blackpool’s environmental challenges

The coatings provided by Sherwin-Williams have been specifically chosen for Blackpool’s coastal environment, known for high humidity, salt exposure, and condensation.

FIRETEX FX6002, used for external steel, is formulated to withstand these harsh conditions and offers rapid drying times, making it ideal for off-site application.

It is also designed for environments in the C5 category, which encompasses the most severe atmospheric exposures.

The quick drying time helped meet project deadlines, as noted by Leach Structural Steelwork’s production manager, Jonathan Leach: “The fast curing of FIRETEX FX6002 enabled rapid throughput at our production facility.”

Internally, the steel is being coated with Sherwin-Williams’ FIRETEX FX1003 and FX6010, both of which offer the required 90-minute fire rating.

After curing, a topcoat of Acrolon 7300, another Sherwin-Williams product, will be applied to provide additional resistance to atmospheric conditions.

Sherwin-Williams’ technical expertise contributes to project success

Sherwin-Williams’ Fire Engineering and Estimating Team (FEET) played a crucial role in determining the fire protection requirements for the Blackpool project.

After analysing the design, FEET recommended solutions that met the building’s needs, ensuring compliance with the 90-minute fire resistance standard.

The team’s technical expertise was essential in securing the project and guiding the application of coatings across the structure.

Nathan Mangnall, Sherwin-Williams’ business development manager, noted the collaborative effort required for this project: “We’re delighted to have been able to supply our coatings for use in this state-of-the-art building.

“This project was won by demonstrating our technical expertise to Vinci Build, Leach Structural Steelwork, and JM Passive Fire Protection.”

Economic benefits anticipated from the new Blackpool office

Scheduled for completion in March 2025, the new government building is expected to have a positive economic impact on Blackpool.

With civil servants from the Department for Work and Pensions relocating to this new site, it is estimated that the development will generate an additional £8m annually for the local economy.

The project is part of a broader initiative to revitalise Blackpool’s town centre and improve employment opportunities in the region.

Sherwin-Williams coatings used in Blackpool government building construction: Summary

Sherwin-Williams is supplying fire protection coatings for a new government office building in Blackpool, scheduled for completion in March 2025.

The seven-storey, £100m building will house over 3,000 civil servants and is part of the Talbot Gateway regeneration project.

Sherwin-Williams’ coatings, including FIRETEX FX6002, FX1003, and FX6010, have been selected for their ability to withstand Blackpool’s challenging environmental conditions.

The coatings provide a 90-minute fire rating and are being applied to both external and internal steelwork.

The new office is expected to boost Blackpool’s economy by £8m annually.

First Compliance Group completes acquisition of Duct Hygiene Ltd

by Featured NewsPassive

Acquisition expands First Compliance Group’s UK footprint

Ventilation maintenance and fire safety specialist Duct Hygiene Ltd has been acquired by First Compliance Group, a regulatory safety and compliance company.

As reported by Duct Hygiene, the company, based in Wrexham, operates from several locations across the UK, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Leeds, and Middlesbrough.

The company provides kitchen, ventilation, and extraction cleaning services, helping clients meet food safety and Building Safety Act requirements.

The acquisition is part of First Compliance Group’s strategy to expand its portfolio of services across the UK.

Financial details of the seven-figure deal have not been disclosed, but Duct Hygiene’s team of 50 employees will remain in place.

Investment programme to follow acquisition

First Compliance Group’s CEO, Ben Wood, confirmed plans to invest in Duct Hygiene following the acquisition.

He said: “Duct Hygiene is an established brand within the compliance sector and their track record is widely respected.

“The business perfectly complements our existing portfolio of compliance and training services.”

Wood highlighted that the acquisition would strengthen First Compliance Group’s ability to provide national services to new and existing clients.

He added: “It’s a hugely exciting deal for us.”

The company also plans to establish a new training academy before the end of 2024, as part of its effort to address a growing skills gap in the industry.

Leadership remains committed to business growth

Phill Brooks, managing director of Duct Hygiene, also expressed optimism about the acquisition.

Brooks said: “Becoming part of First Compliance Group is a perfect fit for us as we mark our 20th year in business.

“We share the exact same vision for creating genuine value and putting customers and their interests first.”

He further commented on the potential for growth, stating: “I’ve got no doubt that we will grow and prosper.”

The announcement aligns with the company’s focus on customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance in key sectors, including education, retail, healthcare, leisure, and sports.

Duct Hygiene’s role in the compliance sector

Duct Hygiene, founded in 2004, provides essential services in fire damper inspection, testing, and compartmentation.

These services ensure businesses meet their regulatory commitments, particularly under the Building Safety Act.

The acquisition allows First Compliance Group to further solidify its presence in the ventilation and specialist cleaning sectors, positioning itself as a comprehensive service provider in compliance and training.

First Compliance Group completes acquisition of Duct Hygiene Ltd: Summary

Duct Hygiene Ltd, a ventilation maintenance specialist with locations across the UK, has been acquired by First Compliance Group, a compliance and regulatory safety company.

The seven-figure deal, whose value remains undisclosed, ensures Duct Hygiene’s team of 50 will stay in place, with new investment planned.

Both companies share a vision for compliance and customer service, as confirmed by Ben Wood, CEO of First Compliance Group, and Phill Brooks, managing director of Duct Hygiene.

The acquisition also aligns with First Compliance Group’s efforts to establish a national presence and address skills shortages through a new training academy planned for 2024.

Behind closed doors: Fire door insights with JELD-WEN

by Breaking NewsFire DoorsPassive

Glyn Hauser, R&D Senior Group Manager at JELD-WEN, shares insights into fire door safety, regulatory developments, and the future of fire door innovation and technology

What prompted JELD-WEN to investigate and publish a white paper on fire door safety in the UK?

As we all know, a fire door is more than just a door; it is a critical element of a building’s fire safety strategy.

When designed, tested, and installed correctly, fire doors can help to save lives.

Despite this, in the UK there has been a certain legacy of complacency when it comes to fire door best practice, largely owing to a lack of clear regulatory framework, low awareness and limited understanding around the risks of an inadequate product.

Even now, amid a recent tranche of new regulation designed to elevate the UK’s fire safety regime, we believe that there is scope to do more.

With this, our white paper provides a contextual investigation into why fire door safety has so often fallen through the cracks, what is changing as a result of new regulation and what, in an ideal world, should change to ensure best practice.

Compliance is in the DNA of JELD-WEN, and for us, the remit is simple – we want to ensure every fire door is able to perform as it should, every time.

Could you outline some of the key findings of the white paper?

Despite multiple regulations concerning fire safety having been in place for many years, we identified vast scope for performance failure throughout the typical lifecycle of a fire door.

To begin with, the good news is that – though not a legal requirement – the majority of leading manufacturers in the UK use a third-party accreditation scheme to independently certify that their fire doors are fit for purpose and have been produced in a controlled and consistent environment.

This will usually be a scheme listed under the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the government-backed accreditation body designed to assess organisations that provide inspection testing and certification services.

If the relevant tests are passed and the factory audit confirms manufacturing processes are in place to ensure production consistency, then doors constructed to that exact specification can be accredited under the same third-party certification.

Many manufacturers, like JELD-WEN, will also opt for dual-purpose certification, to demonstrate compliance with other key industry standards.

For instance, Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police initiative that works to improve the security of buildings.

Every certification scheme also operates regular mandatory audits as part of the accreditation process.

However, despite this rigorous, holistic approach to manufacturing and certification, when a fire door is finally ‘in the wild’, any sense of regulated oversight or standardisation will often fall short.

Take for instance, the next step in the fire door safety chain: installation.

For a fire door to perform as intended, it not only has to be manufactured in a certain way, but also needs to be installed correctly.

Despite this, there has never been (and still isn’t!) a legal requirement for the installation of fire doors to be undertaken by an individual with any specific training, qualifications or accreditation.

The result is that general tradespeople are able to undertake this specialist, highly complex role, whereby even the slightest deviation from the manufacturer’s instructions can render the product not fit for purpose.

Regular inspections and maintenance of fire doors are equally as important as correct installation.

However, our study also revealed a legacy of poor maintenance and infrequent inspections.

In the context of multi-occupancy housing, which is subject to higher use and traffic, there is an increased likelihood of misuse, damage and even vandalism.

A lack of education is a big issue too, especially amongst the social housing sector.

As part of our white paper, we conducted a survey amongst social housing tenants to gauge their understanding of fire door safety.

Amongst the key results, only a quarter (25%) said they had a good understanding of how fire doors work and one in five (17%) admitted that they couldn’t tell the difference between a fire door and a standard door.

Interestingly too, over a fifth (22%) reported having seen fire doors propped open in their building, thus diminishing their efficacy should a fire occur.

What are some of the most critical new regulations being introduced?

The first major new regulation to come into play was the Fire Safety Act 2021, designed to bolster fire safety in buildings, especially those of multiply occupancy.

Among its provisions, the Act clarifies and extends the legal responsibilities of building owners and managers regarding fire safety, particularly concerning regular inspections of fire doors and other safety measures.

This sits alongside the more recently introduced Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which require Responsible Persons to conduct regular checks on communal fire doors and flat entrance doors in high-rise residential properties.

In addition, the Building Safety Act 2022 sets out a host of tightened sanctions on how high-rise residential buildings should be constructed and maintained, with an Accountable Person responsible for ensuring safety compliance and addressing residents’ concerns.

Together, the remit is to form a comprehensive regulatory approach, which provides a clear delineation of responsibilities and requirements for ongoing maintenance and communication to enhance fire safety in residential buildings, particularly those deemed to be at higher risk.

However, some time on since inception, and concerns remain about whether this regulation is still enough.

How does will innovation drive the Golden Thread initiative?

In response to one of the Hackitt review’s key recommendations, the government continues to point towards a ‘Golden Thread’, whereby all involved parties have access to a trail of readily available digital information about the products and procedures that contribute towards fire safety.

To implement the Golden Thread at the earliest opportunity, we have recently become one of the first manufacturers to install a data pin across every fire doorset we produce.

Offering an advanced level of data recording and collection, the pins are fitted into the hinge edge of the door at the point of manufacture to provide immediate access to certification, technical documentation, installation guides, warranties and inspection reports.

This very much aligns with the Golden Thread approach, in the context of leveraging technology and digitalisation to enhance communication and transparency across all stages of the doorset’s lifecycle.

By maintaining a continuous and traceable flow of information, the remit is to provide stakeholders with access to a more accurate data trail.

Through widespread adoption, we believe this approach has the potential to revolutionise collaboration, compliance, risk management, and quality control, ultimately leading to better-managed buildings.

And that’s just the start.

With data analytics and digitalisation advancing hand-in-hand, we remain on the cusp of a new era of smarter, safer building design and maintenance.

In the not too distant future, we might be in a situation where smart fire doors are able to monitor their status in real-time and alert maintenance teams to any issues immediately.

This will open the door to more innovation.

Our goal is to be at the heart of this, providing building managers, local authorities and other commercial stakeholders with all the tools they need to enhance compliance, maintenance and operational efficiency, ultimately ensuring that fire doors perform their critical role in protecting lives and property.

What immediate steps should be taken to adhere to the new regulations?

One of the simplest but most significant steps we would recommend stakeholders take, is to specify ‘doorsets’ rather than buying individuals doors and hardware components separately.

What some may not realise is that even something as seemingly minor as the wrong choice of hinge or customisation of a letterbox can significantly impact a door’s fire resistance and invalidate the certification.

Purchasing a whole doorset, which is pre-tested, pre-assembled and fitted with all compatible components, direct from the manufacturer, minimises any room for error and is the safest way to ensure it is compliant.

We must also urgently address the gaps in understanding around fire door regulations and responsibilities, to ensure that the process following manufacture is fully compliant.

This requires investment in upskilling and training to increase industry understanding and ensure all stakeholders have the knowledge and competence to ensure adherence to their individual roles.

Looking forward, what further changes or innovations do you think are necessary to ensure the absolute best practice in fire door safety?

Principally, to ensure every fire door has the opportunity to perform as intended we would advocate the introduction of a legal requirement for all fire doorset installation and maintenance work to be conducted by qualified installers validated through a UKAS-accredited scheme.

We propose that this would work in a similar vein to the Gas Safe Register whereby only registered installers would be able to legally work on fire door applications, and the scheme would be supported with a team of inspectors who monitor that work is being undertaken competently and safely.

We would also like to see third party certification become a mandatory requirement of building regulation as an independently verified source of truth to remove ambiguity and misinterpretation.

A continued commitment to innovation is also critical.

We remain on the cusp of great change, as advances in materials science, technology and data integration continue to bring new opportunities to push boundaries in fire door practice.

In this way, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and must continue to strive to do better and use the current impetus of regulatory change to demonstrate how fire door best practice should look not just in the UK but on a global stage.

And finally it’s about remembering that fire door best practice isn’t just a legal obligation; it’s a moral one.

After all, every fire door properly installed and maintained is another chance to save lives.

JELD-WEN’s ‘Fire Safety: Time to Shut the Door on Risk’ white paper is available for free to download.

Visit https://www.jeld-wen.co.uk/fire-safety-white-paper

This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

India mandates fire-resistant upholstery in non-domestic furniture to enhance safety

by Featured NewsSafety

Government introduces new fire-resistant fabric regulations

The Government of India has introduced new regulations mandating the use of fire-resistant upholstery fabrics in non-domestic furniture to enhance public safety.

As reported by the Delhi Press Information Bureau, the Quality Control Order (QCO), effective from October 2023, requires that all upholstery materials used in public spaces comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, specifically IS 15768:2008.

The regulation applies to furniture used in places such as offices, malls, airports, restaurants, museums, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Compliance deadlines extended for imported furniture

While the QCO mandates immediate compliance for most domestic products, the Government has granted an extension for imported furniture.

Industry groups had requested leniency for imports, leading to a relaxation until 31st March 2025 for furniture or sub-assemblies containing upholstered fabric.

This extension gives importers additional time to meet the necessary BIS standards, which aim to enhance fire safety in public environments.

The regulation still holds importance as a step toward improving public safety and fire protection.

Ministry of Textiles pushes for integrated standards

The Ministry of Textiles has collaborated with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to ensure comprehensive safety regulations.

The Ministry has recommended integrating the IS 15768:2008 standard into the existing QCOs for furniture.

This integration will provide a clear framework for furniture manufacturers, ensuring that all relevant fire safety and quality standards are met.

The move is part of a broader government strategy aimed at safeguarding lives and property.

Mandatory certification ensures enhanced safety

While many BIS certifications are voluntary, the government has made compliance mandatory for strategic products such as fire-retardant upholstery.

This marks a shift in the approach to fire safety, ensuring that non-domestic furniture in public spaces meets strict safety regulations.

By making these standards compulsory, the Government of India is aiming to create safer public environments, reducing the risks associated with fire hazards in spaces frequented by the public.

India mandates fire-resistant upholstery in non-domestic furniture to enhance safety: Summary

The Government of India has mandated fire-resistant upholstery fabrics in non-domestic furniture through the Quality Control Order (QCO), which came into effect in October 2023.

This regulation applies to public spaces such as offices, malls, airports, and hospitals.

Upholstered furniture in these spaces must meet BIS standard IS 15768:2008.

While immediate compliance is required domestically, an extension until 31st March 2025 has been granted for imported furniture.

The Ministry of Textiles has requested the integration of IS 15768:2008 into existing QCOs for furniture to ensure a unified safety framework.

This compulsory regulation marks a significant move to improve fire safety in public areas.

Highlighting women in fire protection

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringFire SuppressionPeople

As part of its National Skills Week celebration in August, TAFE NSW highlighted the gap in female participation in the sector.

According to TAFE, only 4% of fire protection equipment technicians are women, despite the huge skills gap in a sector that needs to accommodate an increase of 173,000 homes in Greater Sydney alone in the years to 2029.

Graduate Hayley Gough bucks the trend – she joined the sprinkler fitting industry after high school and now works on sites across Sydney.

“I decided I wanted a career that was hands-on and not just sitting at a desk. Sprinkler fitting and fire protection ticked that box for me,” Ms Gough says. “As the construction industry grows and more houses and commercial complexes are built, the importance of my trade will continue to grow.”

To learn more about Hayley’s journey, click here.

NFCC welcomes new provision for sprinklers in all new care homes

by ActiveFeatured NewsFire SuppressionFire Suppression

The UK National Fire Chiefs Council has welcomed the recent announcement that sprinklers will be mandatory in all new care homes. The Government made the announcement in a Ministerial Statement published last week, with the provision being made through an update to Approved Document B, which gives guidance on building regulations relating to fire safety matters in England.

NFCC has been calling for strengthening of sprinklers requirements in care homes for many years, most recently in the updated Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) policy statement published in May.

Responding to the announcement, NFCC Lead for Sprinklers and AWSS, Jonathan Dyson, said:

“NFCC welcomes the announcement that all new care homes in England will be required to have sprinklers installed.

“The use of sprinklers in care homes reduces the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin. This buys crucial time for evacuation and firefighting and can reduce the need for unnecessary movement of residents who may also be more vulnerable to fire due to age, mobility issues or cognitive impairments. There have been several high-profile fires in care homes across England in the last 10 years. In many of these cases there were no sprinkler systems in place and it was not possible for firefighters to fully mitigate the effects of serious fires that resulted in lives being lost, serious injury, and major property damage.

“The recent announcement recognises and addresses the serious concerns we have had about fire safety in care homes. It is a measure that the NFCC and fire and rescue services have long called for to help protect vulnerable residents and staff.”

FPAS scheme extended

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsFire Engineering

FPA Australia has negotiated with the Building Commission NSW for a one-year extension to the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) transition period. Additionally, FPA Australia’s approval to act as an accreditation authority under the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 has been extended until 30 June, 2026.

The extension means all transitional practitioners will have an additional year to complete the training required to transition to qualified accreditation. Once transitioned, practitioners will still need to renew their accreditation and participate in CPD.

Our approach to the Building Commission NSW was based on feedback from members regarding hurdles experienced to achieve the required competencies.
As FPA Australia will not be seeking any further extensions to the FPAS transitional period, to ensure you retain your accreditation moving forward we strongly recommend transitioning to qualified by the new deadline.

FPA Australia recognises the efforts of those who have already attained qualified accreditation. We have revised our FSA and FSD registers to indicate whether a measure/category held by the practitioner is transitional or qualified. We’re also enhancing certificates for qualified practitioners by adding the term “Qualified” and exploring options for providing marketing materials that highlight their qualified accreditation status to clients.

The extension of the approval for FPA Australia to act as an accreditation authority indicates the trust Building Commission NSW has in the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme and our commitment to professionalism within the industry. We aspire to continue administering the FPAS in NSW as an accreditation authority for many years to come.

For more information, go to www.fpaa.com.au

Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program Supports Skilled Trade Education and Training in 30 North American Communities

by PeopleProjectsResearchTraining

Program supported 655 scholarships during the 2023-2024 school year and helped students kickstart thousands of careers

Johnson Controls the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced renewed grants to 30 community colleges in North America as part of the companies Community College Partnership Program. Launched in 2021 to help students from historically underrepresented groups prepare for and embark on career paths in sustainable building practices, the program will, for the fourth consecutive year, provide each college a grant to support programming in HVAC, fire, security or digital fields valued up to $100,000.  

“For four years, the Community College Partnership Program has helped forward-thinking community colleges equip thousands of future leaders for successful careers in this growing industry,” said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “Our collaboration with these innovative institutions creates real job opportunities for students while making real progress in closing the skilled trades gap across North America.”   

Impact of the Community College Partnership Program 

During the 2023-2024 school year, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program created significant impacts in North American communities:  

  • 3,868 students enrolled in educational programs  
  • 655 scholarships awarded to students  
  • 428 volunteer hours tracked by Johnson Controls team members 

Recipient community colleges are located in areas where the company operates, encouraging Johnson Controls employees to volunteer and share real-world experiences with students. Students have shared their appreciation for the industry exposure and mentorship, which have contributed to their academic success and career readiness. Additionally, participants have reported that the program alleviated financial stress and equipped them with essential workplace skills through coaching sessions, ultimately boosting their confidence in their job search.  

“I have gone from someone who had absolutely zero idea what an energy management controls technician does, to someone who has had the opportunity to get my foot into the industry and continue developing within my career,” said one student in the program. “The Johnson Controls scholarship grant I received when I came into the program helped me financially and served as motivation because it showed that there is a company out there that truly cares for the industry and provides that additional help to motivate individuals to pursue their careers.” 

Through the Community College Partnership Program, Johnson Controls is on track to donate up to $15 million by the end of 2026 to expand access to educational programs in the HVAC, fire, security and digital disciplines. 

To learn more about the program, including for a complete list of grant recipients, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/community/philanthropy/community-college-partnership 

NFPA and Mike Holt Enterprises Collaborate to Publish 2026 NEC Changes Book

by Associations and OrganisationsConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) and Mike Holt Enterprises announced their collaboration in publishing a book that explains the key changes in the next edition of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®). The book, titled Changes to the National Electrical Code®, 2026 edition, is the latest project following their collaboration on the publication of the 2023 NEC changes book. This new book will feature full color illustrations and photos, insightful commentary, technical clarifications, and a general review of the code. Electrical professionals, including electricians, electrical contractors, engineers, and inspectors, will find it a valuable resource for understanding the NEC.

“This book will absolutely be the best resource for understanding the changes in the revised 2026 edition of the NEC. It’s the only NEC changes book officially recognized by NFPA,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and CEO. “We are excited to partner with Mike Holt Enterprises once again to advance NFPA’s safety mission and bring this information to professionals responsible for understanding and applying NEC requirements.”

The NEC is the most widely used code in the United States and is used extensively across the globe to safeguard people and property from electrical hazards. To incorporate the latest technologies, research, and learnings, the NEC is updated every three years.

“The NEC remains the essential resource for everyone who works in the electrical industry,” said Mike Holt, president of Mike Holt Enterprises. “We are thrilled to be partnering once again with NFPA to meet today’s electrical safety challenges and to help electrical professionals understand the changes in the 2026 edition. It is an honor to develop products based on the NEC that help individuals understand and apply the code easily to their work. The new edition will include hundreds of detailed graphics and photos, and in-depth analysis on the changes.”

Holt has devoted his career to studying and understanding the National Electrical Code and has published his Illustrated Guide to Changes to the NEC for over 40 years.

The Changes to the National Electrical Code®, 2026 edition book will be available in Fall 2025 through NFPA and Mike Holt Enterprises. The 2023 edition, Changes to the National Electrical Code®, is currently available to purchase on the NFPA website and Mike Holt Enterprises website.

About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)  

Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.  

Mike Holt Enterprises has been serving the electrical industry for over 50 years, creating and publishing books, videos, online training, and curriculum support for electrical trainers, students, organizations, and electrical professionals. Mike Holt is an author, businessman, educator, speaker, publisher, and National Electrical Code® expert. He has written hundreds of electrical training books and articles, founded three successful businesses, and has taught thousands of electrical code seminars across the US and internationally.