Fire safety

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    Driving best practice in fire door specification and competence

    Third-party certification of fire doors provides robust evidence of performance and traceability to aid compliance with the ‘golden thread’ of information required for higher-risk buildings post-Grenfell. New research reveals that while more professionals responsible for specifying fire doors recognise the value of third-party-certified fire doors and traceability, gaps in specification and in understanding of how to check the competence of installers remain.

    By Helen Hewitt, British Woodworking Federation (BWF) on 31 August 2026

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    Bridging competence: strengthening fire risk assessment capability

    With the UK Government confirming that mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors will be introduced, and independently verified by UKAS-accredited certification bodies, it is vital that fire risk assessors and those commissioning assessments begin pursuing the relevant qualifications and certifications now.

    By Jess Mullis, Fire Protection Association on 31 August 2026

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    Building safety in practice – learning, improving and delivering better outcomes

    Almost three years after the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) began to oversee a new approach to the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings in England, the BSR continues to improve processes to ensure more efficient and faster approval of all building work applications within scope of the higher-risk regime.

    By John Palmer, Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on 05 August 2026

    Andrew Gladstone Heighton

    Why facilities professionals are on the front line of fire risk mitigation

    Combustible waste poses a serious fire risk, so it’s essential facilities managers focus on measures such as effective waste minimisation, storage, management and disposal, to protect buildings from devastating and avoidable blazes.

    By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) on 01 August 2026

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    Fast. Fierce. Fatal. campaign highlights dangers of fires from lithium-ion batteries

    A campaign to highlight the dangers of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries has launched following an increase in one fire service’s callouts linked to fires caused by charging e-bikes and common devices.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 26 November 2025

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    Tackling new fire risks as Fire Door Safety Week celebrates 12th year

    The British Woodworking Federation’s annual Fire Door Safety Week this September will encourage duty holders such as those in charge of residential buildings to consider the dangers from lithium-ion batteries and ensure fire doors remain fit for purpose in reducing the risk should a battery-related fire break out.

    By Helen Hewitt, British Woodworking Federation on 11 July 2025

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    The C8 foam ban explained: what it means for you

    From 4 July, the use of fire extinguishers and suppression systems containing the ‘forever chemical’ perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) will be prohibited, meaning duty holders need to move fast to ensure compliance with the law.

    By Laurie Pollard, Firechief® Global on 09 July 2025

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    The hidden risks of lithium-ion batteries

    With UK fire services now tackling at least three Li-ion battery fires a day, it’s clear that stronger regulation and enforcement is urgently required to prevent the sale, use and modification of poor-quality and potentially dangerous batteries used in e-bikes and scooters.

    By Adrian Simmonds, QBE Europe on 01 July 2025

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    Battery Breakdown e-bike fire safety campaign: where are we two years on?

    The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill currently before Parliament offers the opportunity to reduce the fire risks posed by sub-standard e-bikes, e-scooters and their lithium-ion batteries, but the Government needs to go further and faster to protect public safety.

    By Lesley Rudd, Electrical Safety First on 03 July 2025

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    The building safety crisis: a year of Labour in power, still no end in sight for leaseholders

    It’s a year since Labour came to power with manifesto commitments to fix the failed approach to the cladding and building safety scandal and deliver meaningful change.

    By Campaign team, End Our Cladding Scandal on 01 July 2025

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