The latest Fire Sector Federation (FSF) Newsletter has reported a record attendance at the annual FIRE Conference, with 527 delegates participating both in person and online.

This figure marks a nearly 10% increase from the previous year.

At the conference’s opening, Federation Chair, John Spencer, dedicated a tribute to the late Jonathan O’Neill.

The newsletter detailed the work on the competency of Fire Risk Assessors following the Building Safety Act, with contributions from directors Steve Hamm and Dennis Davis.

Steve McGuirk, Executive Director, highlighted efforts in developing a national strategy for fire safety and the concept of the Fire Chain. Plans for the next London event are already in progress.

Fire Sector Federation plans for sustainability

The FSF’s Forum in London focused on developing a sustainable business model. The Board proposed a business case to the Fire Research and Training Trust for a two-year funding arrangement.

The meeting also discussed governance restructuring and confirmed the Federation’s commitment to public service.

Member updates and Forum notes are available through Basecamp, alongside sector enforcement and competency updates from NFCC’s Gavin Tomlinson and Dennis Davis.

Support across the sector for the Fire Chain concept

The FIRE Chain, as developed by Steve McGuirk, received sector-wide endorsement.

FIRE Magazine praised the initiative for comprehensively representing the sector’s breadth and challenges.

The endorsement and the full supporting article can be found on Basecamp for FSF members.

The Scottish Government’s steps to tackle unsafe cladding through the new Housing (Cladding Remediation) Bill were also highlighted.

The bill allows intervention in buildings with unsafe cladding and establishes a Cladding Assurance register.

Details of the Bill and the prospective Responsible Developers Scheme are available on the Scottish Government website.

The Department of Business and Trade’s call for evidence in its Smarter regulation programme seeks opinions on UK regulatory effectiveness.

This programme is part of an effort to ensure future-ready regulations and a balanced regulatory burden. Feedback is open until January 7th.

Education on building safety regulations through BSR webinars

The Building Safety Regulator is hosting webinars to educate those involved in building safety post the Building Safety Act.

The sessions cover a range of topics essential for the built environment’s stakeholders.

More information is provided on the HSE website.

The FSF will hold its next Members Forum on January 18th, with further details to follow.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities released guidance on defining high-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022.

For further details about the Fire Sector Federation, contact them via email at [email protected].

IFSJ Comment

The FSF’s report on the conference and subsequent meetings is a testament to the ongoing dedication within the fire safety community to enhance standards and practices.

The noted increase in attendance signifies growing interest and investment in fire safety discourse.

Highlighting advancements in fire risk assessor competency and the development of the Fire Chain, the FSF is setting a precedent for the integration of fire safety into national strategic planning.

The information provided on regulatory changes and webinars indicates a proactive approach to education and compliance, ensuring that the fire safety profession remains informed and prepared for the evolving landscape.

About the Fire Sector Federation

The Fire Sector Federation is a UK-based organization that works collaboratively to influence fire safety policy and strategy, bringing together stakeholders from across the fire sector.

With a focus on safety, competence, and effectiveness, the FSF serves as a collective voice to address the challenges faced by those responsible for fire safety.

The Federation’s work includes promoting fire prevention and protection strategies, shaping legislation, and ensuring the highest standards of fire safety are upheld for the benefit of the public and professionals within the sector.