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The Fire Safety Event

8 - 10 APRIL 2025

NEC, Birmingham

Innovation & Compliance Theatre

Fire extinguishers

Innovation & Compliance Theatre

Innovation and regulation theatre

 

Sponsored by UL Solutions, This theatre will showcase presentations on the important industry updates and guidance for practitioners and business owners.

With a focus on standards, regulations and industry best practice, these sessions will be vital to ensure businesses remain compliant and are best equipped to meet the needs of their clients.

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10:15
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Over the last 25 years digital transformation has revolutionised the fire industry, enhancing safety, efficiency and response times. This presentation explores key advancements in job management software, IoT enabled fire detection, digital record keeping and asset management. We’ll examine how technology and British Standards is shaping the future of fire safety in an increasingly digital world.
10:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre

    Passive Fire Protection is fundamental to the safety of a building and those residing within, making abiding to the latest safety standards critical. In this session, we will explore industry best practices and essential processes undertaken by manufacturers to ensure continued compliance.

    · Gain an in depth understanding of Passive Fire Protection and best practice for achieving superior safety standards.

    · Discover the latest safety regulations and standards within the sector

    · Explore the lengths manufacturers go to exceed customer expectations and fully comply with the latest regulations.

    Join us for an informative session to gain valuable insight into the complex world of Passive Fire Protection and why it should a priority on any project.

11:25
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Over the past three decades, the fire safety industry has undergone a significant transformation. From the rise of certification schemes and regulated qualifications to the growing reliance on Third-Party Certification as a means of demonstrating competence, these changes have redefined the landscape. John will uncover the key lessons from recent and past tragedies and examine the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of fire safety.
12:00
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre

    Fire safety and building regulations are constantly evolving, making it essential to specify products that meet the latest compliance standards. In this session, David Keeble, Head of UK Sales at Coopers Fire and guest will explain why competency in specification is crucial and how it directly impacts building performance and save lives.

    You’ll gain practical insights into key compliance requirements, including Approved Document B, BS 8524, and other fire safety standards. The presentation will also highlight common pitfalls in poor specification, the importance of working with accredited suppliers, and best practices to ensure compliance.

12:35
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving market landscape, innovation is key. However, the journey from a groundbreaking idea to a market-ready product is fraught with challenges, particularly in testing and certification. This panel discussion will delve into the critical importance of these processes in ensuring that innovative products not only meet regulatory standards but also gain consumer trust and achieve commercial success.
13:10
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    The necessity for manufacturers and installers to be able to demonstrate capability and traceability of their products and services is now more important than ever before, with increased public awareness, industry mindfulness and regulatory recommendations. Being a UK Approved Body, we offer schemes covering Product, Installer and Site Inspections Services, and being an approved body for regulatory certification of products for UKCA Marking. This presentation will summarise the role of the UK Approved Body and how companies can comply to the meet the Certification Requirements.
13:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    This session explores the critical role of fire doors and intumescent seals in passive fire protection, highlighting their life-saving capabilities. It covers key fire safety statistics, UK testing standards, the impact of ironmongery, and the importance of certified intumescent seals, providing practical insights and solutions to enhance fire safety and compliance.
14:30
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre

    The use of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries has become increasingly prevalent in many aspects of modern life and while Li-ion batteries have many advantages, fires caused by discarded Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them are an increasing problem. A European study suggests that by 2025, 78 million Lithium-ion batteries could be discarded daily worldwide

    Lithium-ion battery fires have unique attributes and are not like other types of fire, therefore education and awareness are key; as is assessing the fire risk they present to your organisation, having an action plan in place to mitigate the risk, and being able to manage the fire event should the worst happen.

    This session will delve into the challenges associated with these type of fires and you will gain valuable insights into why they happen and how to prevent, or should the worst happen, contain them using the Firechief® Halo™ 8 Step Battery Safety Plan.

15:10
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Given the increased focus on smoke ventilation following the Grenfell tragedy and the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), it is essential that smoke ventilation systems for high-risk buildings are comprehensively designed, modelled, and fully understood prior to the Gateway 2 application. This presentation will offer insights from the perspective of a smoke ventilation design engineer, highlighting the critical factors that must be considered and reviewed before Gateway 2 application. 
15:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    20 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
10:15
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    As electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries power the future, safety remains a critical challenge. This panel explores the urgent need for UK regulations on battery manufacture, storage, transport, and testing. Featuring industry leaders from R&D, safety councils, and automotive innovation, the session highlights best practices and the role of secure, contained facilities in mitigating risks. Learn how safety regulations can propel sustainable innovation while safeguarding lives and assets.
10:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    This session will explore what the Golden Thread is, why it was introduced, its effect on the changes in legislation and finally its impact on stakeholders within the entire lifecycle of a building.
11:25
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Fire compliance is under greater scrutiny with the announcement of BS476-22 fire testing standard being removed along with other national standards from building regulation approved documentB1 and 2, effective 2nd of September 2029. It is more important than ever to consider the entire building as a system and understand what is required to be compliant and what to change if your development is not compliant.
12:00
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    This presentation highlights the importance of domestic fire safety, focusing on smoke alarms' life-saving role. It covers fire risks, legislation, British Standards, and compliance practices, including BS 7671 and BS 5839-6 for fire alarm systems. Key topics include landlord obligations and the need for proper electrical inspections (EICRs) to ensure home safety.
12:35
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre

    The Building Safety Act has introduced stringent requirements for fire safety professionals, with a strong focus on accurate documentation, transparency, and the Golden Thread of Information. But with traditional reporting methods, gathering and maintaining comprehensive fire safety records can be time-consuming and prone to gaps.

    In this session, Rob Norton, UK Director at PlanRadar will showcase how PlanRadar and SiteView, our 360° site capture tool, can:

    • Close documentation gaps by capturing a complete visual record of fire safety installations and inspections.
    • Support the Golden Thread with transparent, shareable reports that keep all stakeholders aligned.
    • Streamlines compliance processes by integrating 360° site imagery directly into fire safety records, making audits and evidence collection much more simple.
13:10
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    A panel discussion addressing issues such as the alternatives to toxic AFFF foam and the challenges surrounding its disposal, the over-specifying of extinguishers in premises and at fire points, and a low-carbon alternative to steel extinguishers.
13:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
14:30
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    The fire safety sector increasingly recognises the importance of individuals holding regulated qualifications to demonstrate their skills and knowledge required for life safety work. As these expectations rise, it is essential that regulated qualifications are fit for purpose, providing clear and comprehensive evidence of an individual’s ability to perform their professional duties effectively and safely. In this session, Darren Ellis, FireQual Qualifications Manager, will delve into the characteristics of a high-quality regulated qualification. Attendees will gain insights into what makes a qualification credible, and the role of regulated qualifications in enhancing professional standards in the fire safety sector.
15:10
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    In the critical field of fire-stopping, the accuracy and reliability of engineering judgments can mean the difference between safety and disaster. However, a significant gap in training and quality among engineering judgment providers has been identified. Many professionals lack a comprehensive understanding of the relevant certification requirements, leading to inconsistencies and potential risks. This panel discussion will bring together leading experts and stakeholders in the fire-stopping industry to explore the current situation and possible solutions.
15:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    20 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Recent changes in regulations have significantly reshaped the role of fire engineers, particularly during the design and construction stages of building projects. At the design stage, fire engineers are increasingly required to collaborate closely with the principal designer and other designers to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements and verify that designs meet intended safety standards. During construction, their role extends to regular site inspections and coordination with contractors to confirm that fire safety measures are properly implemented. Competency expectations now emphasize not only experience but also formal qualifications, ongoing training, and specialized expertise, often necessitating multidisciplinary teams to manage the growing complexity of fire safety engineering.
10:15
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    As construction methods and product designs become more complex, traditional fire resistance testing alone may not capture the full range of real-world applications. This session will explore how EXAP (Extended Application) standards and advanced simulations are transforming the fire resistance tests and certification process. By combining these approaches, manufacturers can expand product approvals, reduce testing costs, and maintain regulatory compliance across multiple regions—accelerating time-to-market.
10:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Fire safety challenges continue to evolve and remaining compliant and ethical requires stringent professional standards that sit alongside knowledge and CPD. The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) will give an inclusive update on its innovation in professional development, new competency frameworks and career pathways. Join the IFE leadership and get the latest update from your professional body.
11:25
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    25 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    The Building Safety Act recently introduced variety of changes to Building Regulations, including the introduction of the Gateway processes for Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs). These new changes are creating challenges for the industry, partly due to the processes themselves, but also partly due to some parts of the industry not taking them seriously enough. This presentation will summarise the main challenges that these new changes bring to the fire engineering industry and how companies can adapt to address them.
12:00
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Discover how cutting-edge AI and innovative technology are transforming emergency response to protect those who protect us. This session explores advancements in fire prevention, detection, and critical infrastructure management, showcasing how AI-driven solutions enhance first responder safety, streamline operations, and save lives. Learn how these technologies create smarter, safer environments, empowering first responders to navigate emergencies with greater precision and confidence.
12:35
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre

    The demand for integrated fire safety solutions has never been greater.

    Mandy Bowden, Fire Manager at Comelit-PAC, explores how evolving industry regulations and rising end-user expectations are driving the need for smarter, more connected systems.

    She highlights key challenges around compliance, the advantages of seamless integration with security technology, and the importance of forward-thinking solutions.

    With businesses under increasing pressure to enhance life safety, Mandy discusses how intelligent design, partnership to works completion and ongoing industry collaboration can deliver effective, user-friendly solutions that meet regulatory demands while improving efficiency, reliability and overall fire protection.

13:10
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    In an increasingly interconnected world, ensuring fire safety across diverse jurisdictions is more critical than ever. Europe, with its complex landscape of fire safety codes, standards, and certification processes, presents unique challenges and opportunities for industry professionals. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the key elements shaping fire safety in Europe and beyond, offering invaluable insights for those navigating this intricate terrain.
13:50
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    Looking at Phil’s experience working in the regulatory sector and the challenges meeting the competency requirements for teaching Fire Safety to members of the private sector and how that can benefit organisations in the long term.
14:30
  1. Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    30 mins
    • Innovation & Compliance Theatre
    The aim of this talk is to inform you of the risks around lithium-ion batteries. It will cover the benefits and implementation of Lithium-ion batteries in multiple different appliances and in particular relating to power tools. And furthermore, the associated risk and increased use of Lithium-ion batteries and how they correlate to each other. Backed by our own testing and research we can demonstrate the risks and also the best ways to mitigate these. The aim is for you to be informed so that you are equipped to then make your own decisions to mitigate any risks that you may have.

The Safety & Security Event Series

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