Fire Safety Matters Podcast

FSM Podcast - Episode 20

Episode 20 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with Chartered fire engineer Dr Tony Cash and Don Randall MBE (chair of the City of London Crime Prevention Association). In conversation with Brian, these hugely respected sector professionals focus their attentions on Project Kestrel, a brand new initiative specifically aimed at offering front line security personnel the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised certificate of learning in fire awareness.

As always, Mark hears from our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). Warren assesses the recent online conference organised by Fire Safety Matters in conjunction with Blackhurst Budd that looked at key issues around ‘Enforcing the Fire Safety Order’ and goes on to answer some of the questions submitted by delegates on the day.

There’s also a round-up of the latest major news stories published online by Fire Safety Matters. These include a special announcement concerning the inaugural Fire and Security Matters Awards running in April 2022.

FSM Podcast - Episode 19

Episode 19 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes an exclusive first interview with Peter Baker of the Health and Safety Executive. In conversation with Brian, the newly-appointed Chief Inspector of Buildings examines the focal points of his work on establishing and leading the Building Safety Regulator, assesses the competency landscape and the Building Safety Bill and then moves on to outline the key deliverables that he would like to see realised during his term of office.

Our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) chats with Mark to put forward his top tips for fire safety professionals when it comes to dealing with contractual arrangements. The duo also look ahead to next week’s online conference organised by Fire Safety Matters and Blackhurst Budd where the focus is on ‘Enforcing the Fire Safety Order’. The digital event runs on Friday 14 May at 10.30 am.

In addition, Brian interviews Mark to find out all of the latest detail on the newly-launched Fire and Security Matters Awards and there’s also a round-up of major news stories published online by Fire Safety Matters.

FSM Podcast - Episode 18

Episode 18 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian interviewing Niall Rowan, CEO of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection. Making his second appearance on the Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Niall reviews his time as CEO and details the key achievements realised by the organisation. He also turns his attentions towards the competency agenda in the fire sector and discusses the key elements of the Building Safety Bill and the Fire Safety Bill.

With the Home Office now signalling the prospect of unlimited fines for proven breaches of fire safety regulations, Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) examines this subject. In addition, Mark hears from Andy Speake (national technical manager at fire and carbon monoxide alarms manufacturer Aico) who concentrates on the core issue of installer training and outlines the cloud-based alarm solutions Aico is bringing to market.

Major news stories analysed include the Government’s response to the recent Fire Safety Consultation and the Health and Safety Executive’s appointment of Peter Baker as the inaugural Chief Inspector of Buildings to establish and lead the Building Safety Regulator.

FSM Podcast - Episode 17

Episode 17 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian interviewing Brett Ennals, founder and managing director of Cento (the nationwide recruitment company with a keen focus on the fire and security markets). Brett reviews the current state of play in the recruitment market, the skills shortage in the fire and security sectors, salary levels and the role of sub-contractors. He also details Best Practice advice for job candidates and hiring businesses as we move into the New Year.

Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) looks back at the digital conference on the Fire Safety Bill which Fire Safety Matters hosted just prior to Christmas. In addition, Mark chats with Adam Turk (CEO at the Siderise Group) who outlines the main points of Siderise Insulation’s ‘By Your Side’ campaign and why he believes the company is one of the passive fire protection market’s best kept secrets.

Major news stories analysed include the advent of the new regulator for construction products, the Labour Party’s recent Opposition Day debate on cladding and the establishment of a nationwide database designed to assess the potential link between exposure to fire toxicants and the increased occurrence of cancers and other diseases among firefighters.

FSM Podcast - Episode 16

Brian hears from Wayne Woodland (Pre-Construction Director) and Matthew Flower (Sector Director) of Miller Knight, the specialist company focused on remedial passive fire protection measures. They outline key changes in the new build sector regarding fire protection post-Grenfell, the scope of current building regeneration projects and how it can be ensured that fire safety installations are being conducted in the correct manner.

With Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) absent from Episode 16 due to work commitments, this time around Mark looks ahead to next month’s digital conference on the Fire Safety Bill in which Warren features. In addition, Mark interviews Peter Jones (CEO at the Nineteen Group) who explains the recent decision to move The Fire Safety Event from next April to early September and why live events will continue to be so essential for practitioners in the fire sector.

Major news stories analysed include calls for firefighters to use body-worn video, a new worldwide standard for fire safety in buildings and the Fire Sector Federation’s support for a revised Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

FSM Podcast - Episode 15

Brian interviews Richard Jenkins (CEO) and John Davidson (Head of Field Operations for Systems) of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). They outline the work of the NSI and its key role in the fire safety sector, in addition to focusing on how fire safety solution providers can navigate their route towards achieving third party certification and also highlighting the organisation’s views in relation to the draft Building Safety Bill.

Once again, Mark hears from Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). This time around, Warren concentrates on the impact of COVID-19 in terms of compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Mark also chats with Michala Ford (Head of Business Support at Safety Technology International) who offers an overview of STI’s product range and applications in projects encompassing tall buildings, the education sector and the heritage market.

Major news stories covered include the development of a dedicated FIA portal for EWS-1 Forms and ASFP CEO Niall Rowan’s stated intention to stand down from his role following next year’s AGM.

FSM Podcast - Episode 14

Brian interviews Colin Todd MBE (Managing Director of C.S. Todd & Associates) on the changes taking place within the UK’s fire safety sector and how they’re directly impacting consultants, the registration process for fire risk assessors, developments with standards and guidance documents and also revisions to some of the industry’s key reference works.

As always, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, Warren focuses his attentions on fire doors and the legalities pertaining to them. In addition, Mark hears from Mark Whiteley (UK and Ireland Sales Manager at asecos Limited) who looks at the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, duly outlining their importance in terms of today’s fire safety projects.

Major news stories encompass the publication of the ‘Setting the Bar’ report by the Competence Steering Group and the National Fire Chiefs Council’s repeated call for sprinkler installations in school buildings.

FSM Podcast - Episode 13

Brian hears from Bob Bantock (Heritage Fire Safety Specialist at the National Trust) about the key challenges facing the Trust’s properties and fire safety regime during the COVID-19 pandemic, Best Practice approaches for risk assessments and the importance of Continuing Professional Development for today’s fire safety practitioners.

Once again, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), this time specifically in relation to an upcoming digital conference focused on the Fire Safety Bill. In addition, Mark interviews James Jones (Managing Director at fire evacuation alarm systems developer Vimpex) with a focus on CE marking for products post-Brexit.

Major news stories include a round-up of developments during Fire Door Safety Week 2020 and the latest comment issued on the Building Safety Bill.

FSM Podcast - Episode 12

Brian interviews Ian Moore (CEO of the Fire Industry Association) about BAFE’s recent acquisition of the FIA’s Awarding Organisation and also the FIA’s new partnership with Western Business Media, which will see the publication of an all-new Annual Guide to UK Fire Safety.

As always, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) in relation to legal issues affecting the industry and also interviews Tony Hanley (Managing Director of FirePro UK) with a focus on third party certification when it comes to fire suppression systems.

Major news stories analysed this time around include the Government’s commitment to implementing the post-Grenfell Tower recommendations and the RICS highlighting the importance of expertise being required to sign off EWS1 forms.

FSM Podcast - Episode 11

Brian interviews Stephen Adams (CEO of BAFE) in relation to BAFE having recently acquired the Fire Industry Association’s Awarding Organisation and forming FireQual Ltd to progress qualifications for the UK’s fire sector.

In addition, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) who addresses a question posed by one of Fire Safety Matters’ readers and also interviews Andy Spence (sales director and general manager at Britannia Fire) about how standards can slow down innovation in the world of fire suppression.

Major news stories analysed include AMA Research’s report on the active fire protection market and Mark Hardingham’s appointment as the next chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council.