Grenfell inquiry recommendations not enacted by government

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementIndustry Sectors

Changes in guidelines and recommendations made by the inquiry committee following the Grenfell disaster are yet to be acted on, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has stated.

The guidelines for large-scale evacuations, published in October 2019, have been “failed to complete a single recommendation” from the first phase of a public inquiry into the devastating Grenfell Tower fire.

The inquiry, which looked at where the June 2017 fire originated and how it spread to kill 72 residents in the north Kensington tower block, published its findings in a report in October 2019, The Guardian reported.

The report recommends vital changes that require the owners of high-rise residential building to carry out regular inspections of lifts, share floorplan details, and cladding materials with their local fire and rescue service. It also urged the development of national guidelines for large-scale evacuations.

To date, none of these recommendations has been implemented, and no deadline has been provided by the government for when they will be, according to the mayor’s office, it was reported.

A spokesperson for the Justice4Grenfell campaign said: “From the day of the fire, there has been no real political will for accountability or action. It is in the gift of the government to grant an inquiry; they agree the terms of reference; they appoint the judge; yet there is no legal requirement for them to take on board recommendations and findings of [the] inquiries.”

Khan said he was “extremely concerned” by the lack of progress made by the government since the first phase of the inquiry was published more than two years ago. On the other hand, Khan said, the London fire brigade had completed 26 out of 29 recommendations directed towards them and other fire and rescue services. Various safety regulations have been introduced by the brigade, such as the use of smoke hoods to aid in the rescue of civilians in smoke-filled environments, and the use of 32-metre and 64-metre ladders to help tackle fires in high-rise buildings. It has also, the mayor said, rolled out an extensive training programme specifically for the brigade’s updated response to high-rise fires.

FireAngel to showcase IoT solution at The Fire Safety Event 2022

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsPublic Events

FireAngel will be exhibiting on Stand 3A/E50 at this year’s Fire & Safety Event, showcasing its social housing IoT solution, FireAngel Connected, to a network of fire safety managers, health and safety officers, risk assessors and consultants. 

Continuing to fulfil its mission to protect and save lives with innovative, cutting-edge home safety technology, FireAngel Connected is the most technologically advanced fire safety solution for social housing in the fire safety market. 

FireAngel Connected offers a cloud and IoT-based solution to help social housing landlords monitor fire risk, gas safety, water leaks and electrical appliances throughout their properties from a single remote platform.  

Data monitored in real-time can alert social landlords to the status of heat, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in a property if triggered or in need of maintenance, in turn, eliminating wasteful visits, staff time and administration fees. 

With the unique automated AI capabilities of FireAngel Predict built in – the only solution of its kind in the market – an instant, real-time fire risk level unique to each property is provided, enabling active intervention before a fire starts.  

As housing associations navigate the Fire Safety Act 2021, rising maintenance costs and the government’s White Paper on social housing, there has never been a greater need for solutions that can unlock cost savings, accelerate operational efficiencies and, ultimately, protect tenant safety. 

Nick Rutter, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, FireAngel said: “IoT and AI advancements are driving technological innovation in housing associations and strengthening the golden thread of information for buildings.” FireAngel will be located at stand 3A/E50. 

TBA Firefly set to show expanded range to FIREX

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionIndustry SectorsProductsPublic Events

TBA Firefly is set to display a wide array of products at the 2022 FIREX show in London’s Excel Centre. The company is looking to building on its success of 2021 in terms of winning new business and the scale of the contracts the company was involved in delivering.

Among its products the company will display its recent launches such as Penowrap and the FR120 Access Panel, as well as its versatile Athena fire barrier, suited for timber lofts.

The new 600 x 600mm, IFC certified panel has been developed to facilitate regular maintenance access to roof spaces and other fire compartments, created using the Firefly barriers and offers two hours fire resistance.  

Penowrap, meanwhile, is a lightweight and flexible wrap which complements other TBA Firefly flexible fire barrier systems: intended to protect steel or timber structural members up to 300mm beyond the main barrier, giving additional protection.

Simon James, marketing manager, Firefly’s said: “Firex gives us an ideal opportunity to showcase our product range to key players in the industry, including existing clients and those companies not yet familiar with the products we offer. We serve a specialist part of the passive fire protection market, offering some unique solutions, all supported by the relevant accreditations and full technical back-up.”  

UK Doorsets secures certification for security, fire and smoke control

by Featured NewsFire DoorsProducts

UK Doorsets Ltd are one of the first Secured by Design (SBD) member company to attain certification for security, fire & smoke control on their doorsets.

Secured by Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative, has been a staunch campaigner for improved security in buildings for over 30 years. As a consequence of the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, SBD announced that as part of its membership it was requiring doors that are either described as fire doors, or where fire performance is declared or implied, to have third-party certification for both security and fire performance.

SBD have subsequently revisited the possible life-threatening characteristics of fire rated doorsets, as asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation is the most common cause of deaths in flats when a fire occurs. Therefore, with effect from 1st June 2022, SBD will require all member companies with doorsets listed on their SBD schedule that are fire rated and that are required by UK Building Regulations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to have smoke control properties for the intended installation – e.g. flat entrance doorsets to be certificated for the following attributes – Security, Fire and Smoke Control.
SBD are adamant that any doorset that carries SBD accreditation should be fit for purpose in all declared characteristics, but especially those that are life critical such as fire, security and smoke control.

Ruari Robertson, Secured by Design, said: “I am delighted that UK Doorsets Ltd are one of the first of our valued member companies to attain this certification and is a testament to the strong working relationship that exists between SBD and all its member companies, who will undoubtedly follow suit in achieving these attributes.”

Simon Chapman, UK Doorsets commented: “We are proud to be one of the first businesses to achieve this enhanced triple certification for our SBD doorsets. As a business we have always tried to be at the forefront of safety compliance, ensuring all our doors and doorsets achieve the best performance for their designated environments.

“We understand fully the danger and importance of smoke control in the event of a fire, so had already undergone third-party testing to guarantee our doors would perform if this occurred. This certification endorses that and will hopefully raise the bar with other manufacturers in the industry when producing these potentially lifesaving products.”

IFSEC and FIREX to conduct live installer training courses

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsPeoplePublic Events

IFSEC and FIREX International are set to host, for the first time, in-person training sessions for installers, integrators, and engineers.

These focused training sessions will ensure professionals remain on top of the latest best practices in security and fire, and secure CPD points to keep up with the growing push for competency requirements.

The ‘skills gap’ is one of the most pressing challenges in the UK’s fire and security technical installation sector at present. While not a new issue, it is one that has continued over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic – in a survey undertaken by IFSEC in 2021, 93% of installers answered CPD or professional qualifications would aid them in their work.    

Furthermore, following Dame Judith Hackitt’s report into the failings at Grenfell Tower in 2017, installer competency in fire, emergency and security systems has been put under the spotlight, with a renewed push from government and the wider industry to ensure appropriate standards of quality are met. The ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) requirements for cards in the fire and security sector in England are changing as a result, with updated requirements to achieve both the Systems Technician (also known as the Gold Card) Level 3 cards and the Level 2 Operative Card, where work can be carried out and signed off unsupervised.

In line with the push for improved competency standards and updated CPD requirements that come with the ECS changes, and to support those looking to develop their expertise, IFSEC and FIREX International will be hosting a programme of CPD-accredited in-person training sessions dedicated to the installer and integrator fire and security community.

Book your place on the available courses here

Gerry Dunphy, event director of IFSEC and FIREX International, said: “Skills and competency are now at the forefront of the security and fire safety professions, so we’re delighted to be able to introduce focused and relevant training sessions into the shows. IFSEC & FIREX Training is an important addition as visiting customers can not only view and experience the latest technology and speak to market leading vendors, they can now partake in high calibre CPD training sessions to ensure they’re keeping up with current trends, standards and innovations. It means the shows truly become fully rounded experiences for installers and engineers”.

Trevor Jenks, training manager at the SSAIB, is working with IFSEC and FIREX to ensure the training sessions are relevant and provide genuine value to attendees. Trevor adds: “I’m thrilled to be working with the IFSEC and FIREX team on this initiative. The skillset required in the industry is constantly evolving, and attending high quality training from knowledgeable trainers is more important than ever.”

What will IFSEC & FIREX Training offer?

The prospectus of available courses on offer at the event will cover a variety of key topics that were selected by installers as areas of interest in a survey undertaken by IFSEC & FIREX in 2021.

Courses will be delivered in two distinct manners, both of which were highlighted as important methods of training for fire and security installers in the same survey:

  1. Courses delivered by independent security and fire training organisations
  2. Courses delivered by manufacturers – these will be vetted by an independent consultant to ensure the quality of training is of a high standard and isn’t a ‘sales pitch’. The sessions will also look at technological innovations which meet new industry codes and standards that installers should be aware of.

Topics being covered include:

  • ECS Systems Operative – Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) by Skills for Security
  • Introduction to Fire Detection & Alarms by Fire Industry Association (FIA)
  • Cyber Security by Hikvision
  • Digital Service Masterclass by Texecom
  • Optical Fibre Overview and Fusion Splicing Workshop by Tavcom Training
  • Introduction to fire doors and fire protection in buildings by Warringtonfire


View the full agenda with further details on each session, here.

A small fee will be charged per session to encourage attendance, though heavily subsidised from the original costs as part of IFSEC and FIREX’s ongoing support in helping to address the skills gap. To ensure sessions remain focused, there are a limited number of spaces available on each. Welcome refreshments, as well as lunch vouchers for all delegates will also be included in the price.

Each course will start in the morning or around midday and last anywhere between 4-6 hours, to ensure delegates receive an appropriate level of training, while also allowing for plenty of time to speak to suppliers and catch up with likeminded professionals on the show floor. Courses will be hosted away from the show floor in the gallery suites at London’s ExCeL on the same days as IFSEC and FIREX, taking place between 17-19 May.

Crucially, all delegates will receive proof of attendance for CPD (Continuing Professional Development) records – a key requirement of the updated ECS cards renewal scheme.  

The initiative has received wide-ranging backing from across the sector, with support coming from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Fire Industry Association (FIA), Security Systems Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), National Security Inspectorate (NSI), Skills for Security and the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).

MSA Bristol inaugurates new Scottish Service Centre

by Breaking NewsPPEProducts

MSA Bristol, a leading supplier of PPE to fire services around the globe, has opened a new Service Centre in Livingston, Scotland. The centre will provide professional cleaning, decontamination, inspection, and repair of kit for fire and rescue services (FRS).

Currently, MSA Bristol is the only firefighting PPE manufacturer offering in-house managed services in the UK, via its two existing service centres in Bristol and London. 

The company has seen demand for its managed services grow, as fire and rescue services across the UK are increasingly prioritising regular professional cleaning to protect firefighters from health risks associated with smoke contamination. The new Scottish Service Centre has been created in response to a major new managed services contract signed with Scottish FRS last year.

Scottish FRS is the UK’s largest fire and rescue service with 6,660 firefighters operating out of 365 stations and is the first to make use of the new Scottish Service Centre.  After being worn at an operational incident, PPE including fire tunics, trousers, hoods, and gloves, are collected by MSA Bristol from key fire service hubs throughout Scotland. These garments are then thoroughly cleaned and de-contaminated, inspected for signs of damage or wear, and repaired if necessary, before being returned to Scottish FRS– all within seven days. 

The Service Centre features top-of-the-range commercial 33kg Electrolux washers and driers, which are digitally controlled and draw from a pre-heated water supply system to reduce cycle times and electricity usage.  This technology gives the centre a capacity to handle up to 900 garments per week, with the service history of every item tracked via a unique bar code.

The Scottish Service Centre is being run by manager, Anton De Klerk and his team of 10 new employees.  He said: “Since opening, we have gradually implemented new systems and are at the point that we’ve really found our rhythm. We now have full responsibility for the Scottish FRS contract and the processes are running smoothly.  We have regular reviews to iron out any issues, and we’re delighted to be hitting our targets and meeting client expectations.”

Roddy Mackinnon, equipment manager at Scottish Fire and Rescue added: “Regular cleaning, decontamination and repair of PPE is essential for providing firefighters with suitable protection. We have been using MSA Bristol’s managed services since March 2021 and are delighted that these services are now being delivered within Scotland.  The team have worked closely with us throughout the transition to ensure that the high levels of service and quick turnaround times are maintained.”

Edward Shepherd, service operations director, MSA Bristol said: “In recent years, MSA Bristol has seen a significant increase in take up of Managed Services packages in the UK, partly due to convenience and competitive pricing, but also partly due to health concerns. Our new service centre in Livingston will enable us to handle more items of PPE to meet this demand, and by providing this service locally and reducing mileage, it is also a more environmentally responsible way to operate.”

UK Home Office launches Fire Risk Assessor Survey

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsIndustry Sectors

The UK Home Office has invited members of professional bodies working in the Fire Risk Assessor sector to complete the survey. The governement department has also encouraged those involved in fire risk external wall assessments (EWA) to get involved with the survey.

The survey will ask questions about both the company you work for and you in your individual professional capacity. The survey’s findings will be used to inform the government’s policy development work. The Home Office may also share anonymous aggregated results with professional bodies who are supporting them in conducting this survey and leading the sector-led work mentioned above.

There is considerable work underway to strengthen the building and fire safety regulatory systems, not least through the changes being brought about by the Fire Safety Act (FSA) and the Building Safety Bill (BSB).

These changes will have a significant impact on the Fire Risk Assessor sector and with that in mind the Home Office are keen to gain a better understanding of capacity and capability within the sector. They are also keen to support sector-led work on professionalisation within the Fire Risk Assessor sector and your answers to these questions will very much help to support work in this regard.

The Home Office are particularly keen to better understand the impact that two specific forthcoming changes may have on the sector. These are the requirement in the FSA to include external wall assessments in fire risk assessments and the proposed requirement in the BSB for responsible persons to ensure that anyone they appoint to complete a fire risk assessment must be competent.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, depending on how much you want to give, and will remain open until close of play Friday 8th April 2022.

The survey is being conducted by the Home Office in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. Participation in this survey is completely voluntary, your answers will be kept confidential and no individual or organisation will be identified in any reporting.

G3 Systems confirms Interschutz 2022 presence

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsPublic Events

G3 Systems Limited has confirmed its participation at Interschutz 2022, the world’s foremost fire, rescue, civil protection, and safety/security trade show, from June 20-25, 2022, at the Deutsche Messe Hannover, Germany.   

Interschutz was last held in 2015, and the pandemic caused the show to be postponed in both 2020 and 2021.

Joining around 1,000 other companies from 50 countries, G3 Systems will be presenting its outsourced fire and rescue service capability to industrial, aviation and critical infrastructure customers from around the world.

With around 160,000 visitors expected to visit the show over 6 days, G3 Systems will demonstrate how its 24/7 fire and rescue services can minimise risk and improve on-site safety; protecting staff, visitors and facilities while enabling operations to continue in full compliance with national and international fire and safety standards and regulations.

Based in Portland UK, and currently celebrating 20 years in business, G3 Systems Fire & Rescue Services include structural and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services, emergency dispatch and response, incident command, fire safety, fire inspection and investigation, equipment and vehicle maintenance, testing and compliance, firefighter training and Medical Crash Crew / Ambulance Services.

In addition, G3 Systems provide waking watch services and client training in emergency response procedures, as well as through-life logistics support via mobile Field Service Engineers and forward deployed support staff.  Over 80% of its personnel work at its client’s facilities around the world.

G3 Systems will be present at Stand A51: Hall 17.