UK fire sector to examine built environment challenges

The Institution of Fire Engineers has announced that the FIRE Conference 2025 will take place on Thursday 13 November at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

According to the Institution of Fire Engineers, this year’s event will focus on how the built environment can be made fit for future challenges, with a programme that includes sessions on fire policy, regulation, and risk.

The conference is being delivered in partnership with the Fire Protection Association, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Sector Confederation.

The organisers said it will feature expert-led sessions on current and emerging issues, with in-person and virtual attendance available.

Programme to examine new government policy and regulatory updates

The Institution of Fire Engineers said the FIRE Conference 2025 will include early insights into the fire safety policy direction of the next UK government.

Sessions will cover proposed revisions to Approved Document B and updates from the Building Safety Regulator, alongside national and international perspectives on managing wildfire risk in both urban and rural areas.

Delegates will also hear a case study on the Moss Landing battery storage facility fire in California and reflections on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report.

Breakout sessions to address lithium-ion batteries and product testing

The Institution of Fire Engineers stated that breakout discussions will provide attendees with opportunities to explore specific technical topics in greater detail.

These include the future of construction product testing, lithium-ion battery safety, resident safety metrics, and updates to British Standards.

Further sessions will look at qualification and competency standards for fire risk assessors.

Panel to discuss skills pipeline and planning gateway compliance

According to the Institution of Fire Engineers, the programme will feature a panel on developing the next generation of fire safety engineers, examining how the sector is preparing professionals for future demands.

Another session will focus on how one UK housing association successfully met the requirements of the planning gateway process under current regulations.

More than two hours of networking will also be available, with sector professionals, senior leaders and sponsors in attendance.

FIRE Conference 2025: summary

The Institution of Fire Engineers has announced that FIRE Conference 2025 will take place on 13 November at the QEII Conference Centre in London.

The conference will be delivered in partnership with the Fire Protection Association, National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Sector Confederation.

It will include in-person and virtual attendance options.

Topics on the agenda include government policy direction, Approved Document B changes, the Building Safety Regulator, and wildfire resilience.

A case study on the Moss Landing battery fire and discussion of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report will be included.

Breakout sessions will cover construction product testing, lithium-ion battery risks, resident safety, and British Standards.

Competency requirements for fire risk assessors will be addressed in dedicated sessions.

Panels will explore workforce development and experiences of navigating planning gateways.

Networking opportunities will feature contributions from Coopers Fire, Fire Chief, Consort Insurance, Lubrizol, Red Plug and Rapidrop.

Tickets are now available with CPD and post-event session access included.