Institution of Fire Engineers sets 3 June date for technical conference return

by EventsFeatured NewsFire Engineering

IFE conference returns in June

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has announced that the International President’s Technical Conference will return in 2026 on 3 June at the University of Wolverhampton.

The IFE said the one-day event will focus on modern topics affecting the fire sector under the theme “Amplifying our advantages on approaching hazards”.

Curtain walling fire safety will be included in the programme.

The conference will also address the impact of residential fire sprinklers on lithium-ion battery fires.

Smoke control will form part of the day’s discussions.

IFE programme and speakers

James Lane CEng FIFireE, IFE International President, will host the event and said: “Following the success of its inaugural year, the International President’s Technical Conference returns in 2026 as a must attend event for the fire safety community.

“This conference provides a vital platform for bringing together expertise from across industry, policy, research, and practice to address today’s fire safety challenges while exploring the technologies and ideas shaping the future.

“By fostering collaboration, innovation, and open discussion, the event plays a crucial role in helping us build safer, more resilient communities.

“It reflects the IFE’s ongoing mission to strengthen knowledge, collaboration and forward thinking across the global fire sector.”

Panel discussions will take place at the end of each morning session and each afternoon session.

The day will end with a drinks reception sponsored by Belimo.

Wintech is sponsoring the event, and the IFE said sponsorship opportunities remain available alongside Wintech, Belimo, F.I.R.E Consultancy, DCCH Experts and the University of Wolverhampton.

Limited places are available, with the full programme and ticket details listed on the IFE website.

New Fire Risk Assessment qualifications announced by IFE

by EventsFeatured NewsFire EngineeringTraining

Fire risk assessment qualifications announced

A new Fire Risk Assessment qualification suite will launch through The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) in its October 2026 exam session.

The IFE said the qualifications were developed in response to the UK government’s framework for the assessment of Fire Risk Assessor competency and align with BS 8674:2025.

The suite includes the Level 3 Award in Fire Risk Assessment and the Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment.

It also includes the Level 4 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment for professionals working in complex environments.

Successful candidates on the Level 3 and Level 4 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment will gain access to the IFE’s Fire Risk Register.

Those candidates will also meet the academic requirements for the Technician (TIFireE) membership grade.

Fire Safety Event details and qualification pathway

The IFE will formally announce the qualifications at the Fire Safety Event at the NEC, Birmingham from 28 – 30 April.

Delegates can meet the IFE team on stand 4/A90 for more information about the qualifications.

Day 2 of the show will feature IFE Chief Executive Steve Hamm and IFE Member and Education Services Director Jo Tedd in the compliance theatre.

The session will cover professional standards and how the qualifications support the next phase of regulatory change.

Hamm said: “Our new fire risk assessment qualifications have been carefully developed by the IFE and our team of fire risk assessment and fire safety specialists from across the private and public sectors.

“These qualifications launch at a critical time and support the BS 8674 tiered framework – Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced – ensuring assessors demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to meet nationally recognised competency benchmarks.

“The qualifications form the latest addition to the IFE’s online exam suite which has been developed over the past two years.

“This forward-thinking approach ensures greater flexibility and inclusivity, enabling candidates across the globe to complete their qualifications at a time and place that suits them.

“By removing barriers to access, the IFE is making professional development more convenient, equitable, and future-ready.”

October bookings open from June

According to David Escudier, Chair of the IFE’s Education Panel, the new exams provide a defined route for individual development and the wider profession.

Escudier added: “Clear, recognised qualifications are essential for maintaining trust and raising standards across the sector.

“The IFE’s new Fire Risk Assessment exams provide a much-needed pathway that supports both individual development and the wider profession.”

IFE exams use a self-study delivery model, allowing candidates to progress at their own pace alongside existing roles and responsibilities.

Bookings for the October 2026 session open on 1 June 2026.

IFE’s Elevate series passes 6,000 bookings among fire engineers

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringTraining

Elevate reaches its first anniversary

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is marking the first anniversary of its Elevate webinar series, which launched in April 2025 and has recorded more than 6,000 ticket bookings.

Hosted online by the IFE Early Careers Networking Group (ECNG), the free educational series features guest speakers from across the fire sector and runs in 60-minute sessions.

The IFE said the programme was introduced to support future fire safety professionals through fundamental continuing professional development on a range of topics.

Steve Hamm, CEO of the IFE, said: “It has been a real pleasure to see just how popular our webinar series has become.

“CPD is a crucial aspect of retaining and acquiring knowledge in fire engineering.

“Fire engineering is not a static vocation; it is a discipline that demands continuous learning, innovation and adaptability.

“This series is designed to empower and support the next generation of fire engineering talent, guiding you through the technical knowledge and practical applications that underpin effective fire safety.”

Next Elevate sessions open for booking

Dean Morris, chair of the IFE’s Early Careers Networking Group, added: “Fire safety is not a one-size-fits-all; it requires a complex skill set paired with constant growth, and this was the catalyst for the Elevate series.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved so far with the webinar series.

“It aims to bridge the skills gap within the fire sector and promote a culture of CPD.”

Tickets for the next quarter of sessions cover ethics in the industry, fire safety in schools and atrium design.

Bookings for the 2026 second quarter sessions from April to June are open, and the IFE said organisations can use the programme as part of their ongoing training.

Institution of Fire Engineers outlines EEDI actions taken over the past year

by Featured NewsFire Engineering

EEDI progress across the IFE

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has outlined progress on its Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) work over the past year, including changes to communications, feedback processes, branch support and progression routes.

The IFE said inclusive language and accessibility checks are now part of its communications and policy sign-off processes.

The institution said teams now use a checklist to support consistent decisions in these areas.

Feedback routes are also being included where possible so members can say what is working and what needs improvement.

A more structured feedback system is being used to measure engagement and satisfaction.

The IFE said this is intended to give it a stronger evidence base for decision-making and to keep member views part of its priorities.

Branch leaders have also been given guidance, presentations and tools to help apply EEDI principles in local activity.

The institution said support for members returning to the profession has also been identified as an area for future work.

EEDI work on standards and progression

The IFE also said work is underway to reinforce a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour through stronger policies and clearer reporting routes, including anonymous reporting.

Guidance and educational content for employers has also been developed to explain what zero tolerance looks like in practice and how it can be applied within organisations.

Exam-based progression routes are being reviewed and modernised with sector partners.

The institution said this work is intended to align progression more closely with real roles and responsibilities across fire and rescue services.

The IFE is also using the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity and Inclusion Progression Framework internally to review progress, identify areas for improvement and benchmark its approach over time.

It said this will sit alongside periodic member feedback and regular updates through its communications.

The update sets out how the IFE plans to keep member feedback central as this work continues.

IFE highlights fire sector career pathways during National Careers Week 2026

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsFire Engineering

IFE activity during National Careers Week 2026

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is taking part in National Careers Week from 2 to 7 March 2026.

The IFE said it is using the week to promote the range of roles available across the fire sector.

The campaign includes a series of interviews with members sharing career journeys, insights and guidance for people considering the profession.

The IFE has also produced job packs that set out career pathways across the fire sector, including fire response and compliance, design, systems, safety management and academia.

Resources and CEO comments

The IFE said the job packs are intended to provide practical information on the breadth of opportunities available in the profession.

Steve Hamm, IFE CEO, said: “Fire safety is far from a one-size-only career.

“We need to encourage future generations to pursue their goals and careers that they desire.

“The IFE supports and nurtures all future talent.

“Fire safety careers play a vital part in building safety and the creation of safe, sustainable places for people to work, live and go about their lives.”

The IFE said it provides learning, recognition and networking opportunities through its Elevate webinars and annual Graduate Lecture.

The organisation said it will share updates during the week on LinkedIn.

Chartered Week launches to promote chartership in fire engineering

by Breaking NewsFire Engineering

Chartership campaign begins with Chartered Week launch

Chartered Week has begun today, running from 23 to 27 February, with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) launching the campaign to promote chartered status across the fire sector.

The IFE announced the initiative in a blog post marking the start of Chartered Week, which is dedicated to explaining what chartership involves and how it applies in practice.

Chartered status is defined as a commitment to professionalism, continuing development and leadership.

Fire engineers who achieve chartership are expected to demonstrate both technical knowledge and the consistent, ethical application of that knowledge as fire risks evolve.

Chartered status is described as an ongoing professional obligation that signals credibility to employers, regulators, peers and the wider public.

Global recognition and professional expectations linked to chartership

The IFE stated that Chartered Engineers (CEng) demonstrate the theoretical knowledge required to solve problems and develop engineering techniques, alongside the ability to apply that knowledge across complex systems.

CEng registration provides global recognition of expertise and demonstrates professional competence, leadership and accountability.

Chartered Engineers in the fire sector include professionals working as directors, chief fire officers, partners, associates, consultants, designers and senior fire engineers.

Chartership can support career progression by enabling access to international roles, higher earning potential and involvement in complex engineering projects.

The IFE added that it provides guidance and application routes for professionals seeking chartered status, with branch-based applications available internationally and direct applications available through its central process.

IFE and FIA ask industry to share unpublished BS 8414 test reports

by Featured NewsPassiveResearch

BS 8414 test data publication request

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) have called on the fire safety community to help make unpublished BS 8414 fire test data publicly accessible.

The organisations stated that a number of BS 8414 fire tests have been carried out on external wall construction systems, with results remaining outside the public domain.

Many of these tests were commissioned in response to issues identified in real buildings.

These included cases involving missing or poorly installed cavity barriers.

The purpose of the testing was to assess whether such shortcomings present a risk of external fire spread.

Access to this wider body of test data would provide fire engineers with additional evidence when assessing similar construction features or defects.

This would support more informed, evidence-based decision-making across projects involving external wall systems.

Test outcomes would be relevant regardless of whether the system achieved a successful result.

Unpublished reports are currently known only to a limited number of individuals, which limits their use in broader engineering assessments.

How the reports could be shared

The IFE and FIA said they would be willing to provide a platform for publishing test reports, most likely through a publicly accessible website, subject to permission from the organisations that commissioned them.

Reports could be anonymised to remove references to specific buildings or organisations.

The primary purpose would be to improve understanding of how different wall constructions perform in fire conditions.

Anyone aware of relevant BS 8414 fire test reports suitable for publication has been invited to contact the organisations.

All contacts will be treated in confidence, and no report will be published without explicit consent from the commissioning organisation.

Enquiries can be sent to technical@ife.org.uk.

IFE sets out Apprenticeship Week plans plus Edinburgh graduate lecture details

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsFire EngineeringTraining

Apprenticeship Week campaign and sector resources

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has set out plans to support National Apprenticeship Week by spotlighting apprentices and promoting sector resources.

In a statement, the IFE said it will use the week to raise awareness of opportunities in the fire sector and share apprentice experiences, including how IFE Student membership has supported development.

The IFE said each day will focus on a different resource, including CPD, events, networking opportunities and a pathway to professional registration.

The organisation said 2026 is the third year it has celebrated apprenticeships.

Ellie Leadon, IFE Student member and a Design Engineer at BB7, said: “An apprenticeship offered the best of both worlds – the chance to gain practical experience while continuing my studies and earning throughout the programme.

“The combination of working on live projects, learning directly from experienced peers, developing both technical and personal skills, and gaining direct insight into the fire engineering industry made an apprenticeship the ideal route for me to gain experience and prepare for a long-term career. “

Events announced alongside the campaign

The IFE has also announced the return of its Graduate Lecture event, scheduled for 13 May at Edinburgh University.

The organisation said the day will showcase research from graduates and include networking opportunities for students to meet employers from across the sector.

IFE CEO Steve Hamm commented: “The IFE is proud to take part in this annual campaign and celebrate up and coming talent.

“As a professional body, it is paramount that we advocate for diversity and support individuals in their professional development.

“The modern apprenticeship pathway not only ensures a more dynamic and inclusive workforce but actively encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to contribute to the fire sector.”

The IFE also said its Elevate webinar series will continue as a free resource for early career professionals covering topics from across the sector.

The organisation said further information on both events is available on its events page.

The IFE said its Apprenticeship Week campaign on LinkedIn runs from 9 to 15 February 2026.

IFE to recruit full-time chief executive and add new technical role

by Breaking NewsFire EngineeringPeople

IFE leadership team investment

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is expanding its leadership team through two new appointments, including a full-time Chief Executive Officer and a full-time technical post based at its headquarters in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The IFE announced the recruitment on 28 January 2026.

Recruitment plan and leadership transition

Steve Hamm, the IFE’s current Chief Executive, said: “As well as expanding our leadership capacity, these two new appointments will ensure organisational resilience and enable us to provide services to our members that reflect the evolving role of the IFE as the leading international professional body for fire safety, and to support emerging regulatory frameworks for registered fire engineers and technicians.

“Having been CEO on a part-time basis for the past five years, I will transition to a strategic fire safety advisory role following the appointment of a new full-time CEO later this year.

“The new Chief Executive will provide a dedicated full-time resource for the IFE, supported by qualified professionals who form the Corporate Management Team.”

The recruitment process is planned as a comprehensive process to ensure the Corporate Management Team is resourced for the future.

Paul Stollard, IFE Chair, said: “These appointments come at a critical time providing essential support for the IFE’s growth which will enable us to effectively navigate the increasing demands placed on the institution, particularly since the publication of the Grenfell Tower report.

“The board recognises that the current CEO has led the organisation for over 5 years on a part-time basis, having initially been engaged to provide oversight of a change management programme.

“As a qualified Chartered Engineer with extensive strategic leadership experience, Steve has led the IFE through an era of significant organisational development, leading to the situation where greater capacity is needed in both strategic leadership and technical expertise.

“The recruitment of both roles demonstrates IFE’s commitment to reinforcing its leadership framework and positioning the organisation for sustained growth and resilience.”

The IFE said it is working with a specialist executive recruitment agency to lead the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer.

Further updates on the appointment and on strengthening technical staff resources will be shared in due course.

Call for nominations to IFE roles

The IFE said nominations opened on 1 February 2026.

Three vacancies are available, comprising two Trustee roles and the position of International President Elect.

One Trustee will be elected by the voting membership and one by the IFE International General Assembly representatives.

Trustees are responsible for setting strategic direction, overseeing governance, managing risk and ensuring legal and charitable compliance.

The International President Elect will serve for one year from the AGM in July 2026 before automatically becoming International President for a further year.

Eligibility and nomination deadline

The IFE stated that nominees for International President Elect must be Corporate Graded Members, including paid-up Life Fellows, Fellows, Members and Associates.

Applications must be supported by current serving trustees of the Board.

All nominations and supporting information must be submitted to company.secretary@ife.org.uk by 12:00 noon GMT on 28 February 2026.

IFE sets out education pathway for fire safety professionals

by Featured NewsFire EngineeringSafetyTraining

Fire safety and the International Day of Education

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has published commentary marking the United Nations’ International Day of Education and linking education to the fire engineering profession.

In the article, the IFE notes that the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education to recognise the role education plays in fostering peace and sustainable development.

It describes the day as a reminder that education in fire engineering is connected to saving lives.

The IFE writes: “Education is the foundation of fire safety – without knowledge, we cannot design, innovate or plan to protect communities.”

What the IFE says education should cover

The article sets out the IFE’s view that competence and compliance in fire engineering are non-negotiable because decisions can affect public safety, including choices about materials in a school and evacuation planning for a high-rise building.

It adds that continuous learning helps fire engineers keep up with changing risks, regulations and technology.

The IFE also argues that education should start before professional qualifications and should include teaching children about fire safety and introducing fire engineering as a career option.

It says the IFE offers free Student membership to exam candidates and individuals in fire-related studies, giving access to learning resources, networks and opportunities without financial constraints.

How the IFE describes lifelong learning and CPD

The commentary states that learning continues after qualification and describes CPD as central to maintaining competence and adapting to new challenges.

It says the IFE has built a programme of events, qualifications, resources and initiatives, including an online CPD Hub with webinar recordings and global learning resources, plus a new monthly CPD email introduced this year.

The article includes a perspective from Mabel Higgins, Founder and Director of MH Fire Safety (MHFS), who said: “Becoming a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has been invaluable for my professional growth and contribution to the wider fire safety industry.

“It has connected me with a diverse network of experts, enabling the exchange of ideas, technical insights, and best practices across multiple fire engineering disciplines.

“This collaboration has deepened my understanding of emerging challenges and innovations within the built environment.”

It also says the IFE has incorporated digital exams into its educational offering so that fire safety professionals can gain internationally recognised qualifications regardless of location.