Fire Safety Matters Podcast

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 43

Episode 43 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast sees Mark Sennett chatting with Warren Spencer about appealing Enforcement and Prohibition Notices.

Mark also sits down with Hochiki Europe's Martin Green and EA-RS Fire Enginering's Kevin Pullen to discuss key regulatory changes impacting fire safety system installations, the benefits of manufacturer-led training programs and much more.

In the news on this episode, Mark shares views put forwards by Industry bodies on the Government’s post-Grenfell plans, reaction to the news that Grenfell Tower is set to be demolished, FIRAS taking the decision to withdraw specific FIRAS active certification schemes, and more.

If you want to sign up to attend Warren Spencer's webinar on Enforcement and Prohibition Notices, visit https://wbm.streamgo.live/enforcement-notice-and-prohibition-notices

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 42

Episode 42 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark chatting with our regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) about a specific Case Study in the healthcare sector and also why fines apportioned in the fire sector tend to be lower than for prosecutions in the Health and Safety domain.

Brian interviews Lee Nichols (technical director at Siderise). Lee concentrates on several core areas, among them current market challenges, the attainment of competence and how system manufacturers can actively support collaboration between design teams and contractors on-site.

In addition, Brian and Mark review the latest industry news. Topics covered include the Government establishing a dedicated building Remediation Enforcement Unit within the Building Safety Regulator at the Health and Safety Executive and the responsibility for fire transferring from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government from 1 April.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 41

Episode 41 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes interviews with Mark Whiteley (sales director for the UK and Ireland at asecos), Tony Smith (managing director of Vox Ignis) and Mandy Bowden (fire systems manager for Comelit-PAC).

Mark Whiteley discusses the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries, while Tony Smith concentrates on standards development and the future roadmap for the voice alarms market. Mandy Bowden looks at wireless fire safety systems, the necessity for staff training and also the influence of new Government legislation on the sector.

As always, Brian and Mark review the latest industry news. Topics covered include the safety risks continuing to impact tall buildings in London and the Institution of Fire Engineers’ new strategy document entitled ‘Leading Fire Safety’.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 40

Episode 40 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features a trio of exclusive interviews with our guests Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), Craig Wells (sales director at Quelfire) and Phil Kirkham (engineering manager for applied technology at Elta Fans).

Warren Spencer chats with Mark about the Mock Trial held at Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester in early October. Returning guest Craig Wells focuses on the new Quelfire campaign ‘Because It’s Your Job To Know’ and Phil Kirkham discusses the importance of smoke ventilation fans.

Brian and Mark also analyse the latest industry news. Topics covered include the Government’s cladding remediation programme and Mitie Group plc’s recent acquisition of Argus Fire.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 39

Episode 39 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast focuses on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 final report. Mark and Brian take an in-depth look at the report and share comments from key stakeholders from across the UK fire sector.

This episode also contains two exclusive interviews featuring the opinions of Tom Brookes (managing director of Zzeus Training and chair of the Fire and Security Association) and Derrick Hall (sales and marketing director at Kentec Electronics).

In conversation with Brian, Tom touches on the qualifications landscape and also offers his thoughts on the Phase 2 final report from the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick.

Derrick Hall chats to Brian about fire alarm control panel redundancy, the current standards landscape and also the ongoing issue of false fire alarms.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 38

Episode 38 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark chatting with James Pecz, head of global business development at Ramtech Electronics, the Nottingham-based developer of wireless electronic solutions.

James focuses his attentions on fire safety regulations in the UK, a comparison of standards on home shores versus the rest of the world, the overriding requirement for early detection systems in tandem with emergency evacuation and the steps that can be taken to improve fire safety regimes on construction sites.

Once again, Brian and Mark analyse the key stories emerging from the industry at present. On this occasion, there’s an assessment of Warringtonfire’s new £24 million Birchwood Park testing facility that has been recognised with a Considerate Constructors Bronze Award in partnership with main contractor Tilbury Douglas. Also, there’s a focus on AXA Commercial’s advice for businesses in the capital to review their fire risk assessments and staff training in the wake of the London Fire Brigade announcing that it will no longer respond to daytime activations of automatic fire alarms in most non-residential buildings from October.

Further, Mark and Brian examine the launch of the Institution of Fire Engineers’ Early Careers Networking Group and look back on the Fire & Security Matters Awards 2024, which ran at the CBS Arena in Coventry on 12 June, drawing a record number of entries and attendees.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 37

Episode 37 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with three special guests: Richard Hull (Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire), Martin Green (commercial training and support manager at Hochiki Europe in the UK) and Paul Tilbury, divisional manager for fire systems at distributor Dynamic CCTV.

As reported by Fire Safety Matters, one of Professor Richard Hull’s recent studies has exposed potential inadequacies in the regulations focused on the fire safety of upholstered furniture. In conversation with Brian, Richard examines the main findings of these studies and also offers his considered views on the Government’s consultation around updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Brian also hears from Martin Green, who joined Hochiki Europe’s UK operation back in 2007 and has since held several sales-focused roles, among them regional sales manager for the South West and system sales manager. On this occasion, Martin turns his attentions towards the very popular subject of hybrid wireless technology.

Finally, Brian chats with Paul Tilbury from distributor Dynamic CCTV. A graduate in the subject of Risk and Security Management from the University of Leicester and also a Fellow of the Institute of Sales Professionals, Paul worked at Norfass, Chubb Fire and Security and Norbain before joining the ranks at Dynamic CCTV in 2016. Here, Paul examines why Dynamic CCTV chose to move into the fire domain and goes on to outline some of the services currently being offered by the business.

As always, Brian and Mark analyse several of the industry’s key news stories. This time around, there’s an assessment of the largest UK Fire and Rescue Service convoy to date being sent to help the firefighters of Ukraine, an update on the timelines for the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, detail concerning the ASFP’s new training recognition service and an appraisal of the shortlist for the Fire and Security Matters Awards.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 36

Episode 36 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with regular contributor Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), Terry Edge (independent expert and consultant on furniture fire safety) and David Fitzpatrick, general manager in the UK for SMAY Ventilation Systems.

In conversation with Mark Sennett (the CEO of Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters), Warren Spencer references a News story published online by Fire Safety Matters last December in which a prosecution case launched against a fire risk assessor and his company collapsed after it was discovered that the fire risk assessment upon which the prosecution was based was not in fact the original document.

Brian hears from former civil servant Terry Edge who, between 2004 and 2016, served as the lead official on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 at what is now the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Terry offers his thought-provoking views on what needs to happen next in the domain of furniture fire safety.

Since November 2023, David Fitzpatrick has served Poland-based SMAY Ventilation Systems as general manager of UK operations. David is tasked with leading on project design and systems implementation for both HVAC and smoke protection solutions, driving business growth through new UK approaches to keeping evacuation routes safe thanks to pressure differential systems.

During the interview with Brian, David looks at changes brought forward by the Building Safety Act 2022 and also outlines the company’s participation in this year’s edition of The Fire Safety Event at the NEC in April.

As always, Brian and Mark analyse some of the latest major industry news stories. There’s comment on the Building Engineering Services Association’s views relating to high-risk buildings, repeated concerns expressed by Local Authority Building Control over building control capacity, the second fire remediation report on fire safety in English social housing and developments ahead of both Fire Safety Matters Live (Coventry) and the Fire and Security Matters Awards 2024.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 35

Episode 35 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian in conversation with Alasdair Perry (CEO at the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) and Craig Wells, sales director at passive fire protection solutions specialist Quelfire.

Ali Perry began his career in the Fire and Rescue Service by serving for just shy of seven years with the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. The position of assistant inspector with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Services followed before Ali then joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In addition to his role as CEO at BAFSA, which began in February this year, Ali also serves on the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee.

In conversation with Brian, Ali examines several areas including competence in the sector, sprinkler systems for schools and the recent car park fire at Luton Airport.

Craig Wells joined Quelfire in June 2012 from a family-based contracting business having developed a keen interest in the technical products arena. His current role involves keeping the entire team aligned with their sales targets, while in parallel providing technical support and sales consultancy for prospects, influencers and customers alike.

During the interview with Brian, Craig focuses on the subject of fire stopping and the concept of early engagement for main contractors.

As ever, Brian and Mark Sennett (the CEO of Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters) assess several key industry news stories. There’s a concentration on the Building Safety Regulator’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026, the Competence Framework recently unveiled by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, the Fire and Security Matters Awards 2024 opening for entries and Fire Safety Matters winning Business Publication of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards 2023.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 34

Episode 34 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian in discussion with a duo of sector specialists: Steve McGuirk (executive officer at the Fire Sector Federation) and Derrick Hall, sales and marketing director for life safety control systems developer Kentec Electronics.

A former Board director for the Institution of Fire Engineers, Steve was recognised for his contribution to public service through the award of the Queens Fire Service Medal in 2002 and a CBE two years later. He served as an Expert Witness during the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

In conversation with Brian, Steve duly focuses on the ongoing and excellent work of the Fire Sector Federation and also outlines how the industry per se can best support its endeavours.

Derrick joined Kentec in late 2018 armed with 20 years’ experience of operating in the fire detection and fire alarms arena. Commendably, his career underscores a steadfast commitment to innovation and excellence in the fire safety industry, underpinned by a fervent passion for saving lives and safeguarding property.

On the podcast, Derrick assesses the Solihull Community Housing project and examines how manufacturers can adapt to meet regulatory changes.

As always, Brian and Mark Sennett (the CEO of Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters magazine) analyse several major industry news stories.

This time around, there’s a focus on the Building Safety Regulator becoming the Building Control Authority for England, London Mayor Sadiq Khan calling for urgent action on impending fire safety rules, the results of a recent fire door survey conducted by the British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Alliance and insurer Aviva expanding its underwriting appetite to include engineered timber.