ASFP to establish supported branches in Australia and New Zealand

ASFP franchise agreement for New Zealand and Australia

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has agreed to grant Paul Ryan the rights to operate fully supported franchise branches in New Zealand and Australia.

The agreement follows a year of consultation between the parties.

The new branches will follow the operational model used in Great Britain and Ireland, adapted for the New Zealand and Australia markets by members of the respective branches.

The arrangement is intended to support stakeholders across the design and construction chain, including principal designers, contractors, engineers, product and certification bodies, installation trades, post occupation service providers carrying out remedial and retrospective work and those signing off completed buildings or works.

Training, technical groups and publication plans

The ASFP confirmed that the branches will provide training courses online, with face-to-face provision planned at a later stage.

There will be a progressive transition of information from the ASFP in Britain to the new branches.

Initial membership uptake is expected to be high, enabling the formation of ASFP Technical Groups (TGs).

This is expected to lead to the adaptation of some of the association’s ‘Colour Book’ publications for the local markets.

Paul Ryan said: “Having spent most of my career in the passive fire protection profession in Britain, the Middle East and finally New Zealand, I know how important passive fire protection is to the overall design and construction application.

“If it’s not designed right, it won’t be procured and installed correctly.

“It has taken a lot of commitment, time and effort to reach this agreement, with a few wobbly moments along the way, but we all wanted the right thing to happen in the right way for the greater good.

“It’s going to be exciting times evolving the ASFP in new markets, but I know I have the full backing and support from the team in Britain.

“This is a great moment for passive fire in New Zealand and Australia, with design, construction, and occupant safety the ultimate winners.”

Mike Ward, Managing Director of the ASFP, said: “This is a monumental moment for the global passive fire protection community.

“Many designers, engineers, principal contractors, testing and certification members, and product manufacturers operate outside of Britain and Ireland.

“By creating a global passive fire community, it supports those members as well as new members who may use those products and services, or have their own.

“It closes the circle of the relationship and creates continuity in the language of best practice.

“We hope to set up additional ASFP branches in other parts of the world, and we truly believe this is just the start.

“Beyond this, we are looking at how ASFP can engage and collaborate with our passive fire peers around the world.

“We may have different standards and code, but best practice is a universal language.”

Sharon McClure of Avesta Scotland, Chair of the ASFP, said: “As Chair of the ASFP, you always want to leave a legacy of your Chair-ship behind.

“The team have worked really hard in bringing this together – the ASFP team and my predecessor Clive Miles can be really proud of themselves as I am of them.

“I am certain there are some great times ahead.”