Fire Safety Matters Podcast

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 33

Episode 33 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian in discussion with special guest Judith Schulz, a director of – and the fire safety engineering team leader at – specialist consultant Arup.

The proud holder of qualifications from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the University of Southampton and, indeed, the University of Cambridge, Judith has led the Fire Skills Learning Framework within Arup and overseen the creation of a two-year transition programme for new graduates joining Arup Fire such that they can become fire safety engineers.

During the course of a detailed interview, Judith focuses her attentions on several core topics, among them inclusive fire safety and sustainability.

As always, Brian and Mark Sennett (the CEO of Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters) join forces in analysing several major industry news stories. On this occasion, there’s the latest detail concerning the Government’s building remediation programme, industry statements from the Institution of Fire Engineers, BAFE and FireQual marking the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Tragedy and the announcement of a new chair and vice-chair at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 32

Episode 32 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast witnesses Western Business Media’s CEO Mark Sennett in conversation with regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). Warren reviews the two-hour webinar run jointly by Blackhurst Budd Solicitors and Fire Safety Matters on Friday 2 June, which concentrated on the ramifications of proposed Government amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Brian hears from Matt Wood (CEO and owner at Millwood Servicing), who duly outlines the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks in the fire sector. Further, Brian chats with Patol’s managing director Iain Cumner about linear heat detection cables and interviews Robert Campbell (managing director at Detectortesters) to discover some of the key trends impacting the industry at present and how they’re influencing demand for fire system testing.  

Once again, Brian and Mark join forces for a round-up of the major industry news stories. This time around, we appraise the Government’s £18.6 million injection of funding for common alarm system installations and the London Fire Brigade’s new alert in relation to e-bike battery fires.

We also chart the Building Safety Regulator’s opening of the registration process for high-rise buildings and profile a joint initiative launched by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board concentrating on professional technician status.  

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 31

Episode 31 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) interviewing regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). The duo chat about a special two-hour webinar focused on the ramifications of proposed Government amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The webinar, which is being run jointly by Blackhurst Budd Solicitors and Fire Safety Matters, takes place on Friday 2 June 2023 at 10.00 am.

Also on Episode 31, Brian hears from Gary Moffatt (director of fire and security in the UK at Chubb). Gary focuses on the golden thread of information, how Chubb as an organisation is supporting building owners with compliance and also the latest evacuation alert systems. Further, Gary references the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which of course commenced back in January.  

As always, Brian and Mark join forces for a detailed round-up and analysis of the major news stories emerging across the sector. On this occasion, there’s an assessment of the Fire Sector Federation’s recently published Industry Benchmark Standard for Fire Risk Assessors and a look back at the career of Alex Carmichael, the chief executive of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, who has announced his decision to retire.

We also review Michael Gove’s announcement that the country’s biggest housebuilders have signed the developer remediation contract and look ahead to the inaugural edition of Fire Safety Matters Live, the all-new one-day conference organised by Fire Safety Matters magazine, which runs on Thursday 15 June at the CBS Arena in Coventry.  

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 30

On Episode 30 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) chats with Derrick Hall (director of sales for Kentec Electronics) and Craig Puddefoot, managing director at London-based fire safety systems installer Early Birds Fire Protection Ltd. During the interview, Derrick and Craig concentrate on two core issues pertaining to the fire sector: training and the installation of fire safety systems.

Mark is also in conversation with Paul Adams (marketing manager for Hochiki Europe) and Will Lloyd, technical manager at the Fire Industry Association. Paul and Will offer an insightful overview of today’s multi-sensor technology with a keen focus on compliance issues, false alarms and typical applications.  

As always, Brian and Mark deliver a comprehensive round-up of major news stories in the sector. This time around, there’s a detailed analysis of the commencement of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the Building Engineering Services Association’s comments on the Government’s recent admissions over Grenfell, proposals for sprinkler requirements in care homes being welcomed by the Business Sprinkler Alliance and also an appraisal of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, which is supported by both the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Fire Service College.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 29

Episode 29 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters) in conversation with Andrew Cooper, the managing director of Global HSE Solutions (and Global Technical Services), the company firmly focused on fire safety engineering and passive fire protection services. During the course of the interview, Andrew turns his attentions towards developments at the business in the last 12 months, outlines the company’s plans for 2023 and also focuses on the ‘golden thread’ of information for buildings (encompassing a partnership with PlanRadar).  

In addition, there’s a detailed round-up (and analysis) of key news stories impacting the fire sector at present. On this occasion, we concentrate on the Government’s proposals for dual staircases in new build tower blocks, the announcement regarding the extension of the CE marking period (and what this means for the industry), an expansion in enforcement teams designed to hasten ongoing work in relation to cladding removal and replacement projects and also the Carrier Roadshows that begin at the end of this month.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 28

Episode 28 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) once again chatting with our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, Warren outlines the new fire safety legislation being brought forward in 2023.

In addition, Mark hears from Colin Smith (field product manager for the UK life safety division at Eaton). In his present role, Colin is responsible for the ownership, development and marketing of the company’s fire alarm and emergency lighting platforms here in the UK. In conversation with Mark, Colin details Eaton’s new product roadmap for 2023 and also touches on the key issue of cyber security for life safety systems.

As always, there’s an informative round-up (and analysis) of several major industry news stories. This time around, we concentrate on the Building Safety Act, warehouse fires, the Building Safety Levy and also the Fire Industry Association’s Guide to the UK Fire Safety Industry.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 27

Episode 27 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) in conversation with our regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors).

This time around, Mark and Warren address some of the questions that were posed during the recent joint Fire Safety Matters-Blackhurst Budd Solicitors online conference entitled: ‘Is The Fire Risk Assessor’s Voice Being Heard?’ With more and more investigations being conducted and enforcement action taken involving fire risk assessments, are fire risk assessors being properly represented and protected?

In addition, Episode 27 also includes Brian’s detailed round-up of several major industry news stories focused on professional indemnity insurance for EWS-1 assessors, the Building Safety Act 2022, a petition calling on the Government to implement the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry recommendation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and the election of a new governing Council at the ASFP.

Further, we look ahead to the 2022 Fire Safety Matters Digital Conference.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 26

Episode 26 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) chatting with Ken Bullock (business development manager for emergency evacuation systems at Advanced) about BS 8629, the Code of Practice for the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Evacuation Alert Systems for Use by the Fire and Rescue Services in Buildings Containing Flats.

In a recent Fire Safety Matters webinar run in partnership with Advanced, Ken Bullock explained how ‘over-engineering’ temporary systems will allow conversion to an evacuation alert system once a risk assessor has confirmed that the ‘Stay Put’ policy can be reinstated. He also offered an overview of BS 8629 recommendations, which bring fire safety peace of mind for high-rise residents.

In addition, Episode 26 also includes a round-up (and analysis) of several major industry news stories concentrating on the Building Safety Bill, UK Fire and Rescue Services donating equipment for their Ukrainian counterparts and the inaugural Fire & Security Matters Awards.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 25

Episode 25 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark interviewing Tom Crane, business unit director at Hyfire, the developer of wireless fire alarm and detection solutions. Recently appointed by the company to manage its nationwide sales team in the UK and Ireland as well as oversee future growth, Tom focuses his attentions on the benefits to be realised from the adoption of wireless fire detection technology.

Once again, Mark hears from our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). This time around, the subject for discussion is fire risk assessors. Indeed, Mark and Warren will be hosting a two-hour online seminar about this very subject on Friday 11 March at 10.00 am. Organised by Fire Safety Matters in partnership with Blackhurst Budd Solicitors, the event examines whether or not the voice of the fire risk assessor is currently being heard.

In addition, we feature a round-up of several major industry news stories concentrating on the Building Safety Bill, hot work fires, domestic fire safety and the inaugural edition of the Fire and Security Matters Awards.

Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 24

This episode features Brian chatting with Stuart Letley, director and owner of Clear Safety Services. During the interview, Stuart covers a number of topics, among them the cladding issue, fire safety risks in the housing association sector, the recent fire at New Providence Wharf and anticipated further changes in the fire safety environment now that the Fire Safety Act has passed into law.

As always, Mark sits down with our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, the duo unveil some of the detail behind a two-hour webinar being organised by Fire Safety Matters in partnership with Blackhurst Budd Solicitors. Taking place on Friday 11 March at 10.30 am, the online event examines whether or not the voice of the fire risk assessor is being heard.

In addition, we feature a round-up of several major industry news stories including the Government’s latest plans to address the cladding crisis and a record fine handed down to BUPA in the wake of fire safety failings.