FIRE conference will be making a spectacular return on Tuesday 17th October at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in London. Building on the success of last year’s conference which saw over 400 delegates in attendance, the event will feature presentations and workshops by expert speakers from across the industry, wrapped in its hybrid format and welcoming delegates both in person and online.
2023 will focus on ‘leading the future of fire safety’, with a strong focus on addressing sustainability and new legislation. The organising parties are thrilled to announce that this year’s conference will be chaired by broadcaster, Sima Kotecha, and details of the keynote speakers and workshop highlights are shared below, ahead of the full programme’s release:
Keynotes
Adopting a human-centred response to tragedy – lessons from Grenfell
Danny Friedman KC, Matrix Chambers
The response to the Grenfell Tower fire fell short of what we expect a response to be from a developed country to a major disaster and the subsequent inquiry has highlighted a lack of coordinated emergency management. In his closing statements to the Grenfell Inquiry, Danny Friedman KC, a barrister acting for 300 bereaved and surviving residents highlighted several learnings that we can take from the aftermath of the fire. In this session, Danny takes us through these learnings that include the designing of a civil, political, and social services contingency system that places human dignity at its core and removes discrimination. By adopting such as system, future responses can avoid the disproportionate effect on different members of society and the unequal suffering that was a feature of the response to Grenfell.
Building Safety Regulator updates
The Building Safety Regulator and the related Building Safety Act has been active now for several months in England and is arguably the biggest legislative change for the sector since The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This session led by a government representative will look at how the act has been received so far, if we really have a better idea of how safe our buildings are now and the further work to come to embed its planned changes.
A ministerial plenary
Subject to confirmation. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has made several bold moves in the last year in a bid to address serious failings evidenced by the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. These include commissioning and releasing an Independent Review looking at the testing regime for construction products
and warning that “severe consequences” will exist for manufacturers that do not cooperate with financial assistance to fix unsafe buildings. This plenary will seek to hear from an MP for the latest updates from the Department.
Enforcement – who is responsible now?
The new legislation has changed the traditional route of fire and rescue service led enforcement. In theory, routes to prosecution could now include a remediation order or prohibition notice from DLUHC, the Building Safety Regulator at any of the gateway checks, or the fire and rescue service via the traditional route. This plenary will link back to the beginning of the process and look at how a fire strategy and risk assessment will be affected in light of these changes.
The future of fire risk assessors
With multiple changes in legislation there is now a new regime placing greater emphasis on fire risk assessors. Tying in with the theme of this conference, Steve Hamm IFE CEO, will explore the future of fire risk assessment and discuss the importance of quality professionals, how we ensure competency and the IFE’s work on future career pathways to support this change in legislation.
Workshops
Legal and contractual responsibilities
This workshop will look to provide an overview of legal support to practitioners, particularly focusing on liability and contractual law. It is widely acknowledged that many older buildings have a complex history which provides challenges when it comes to the responsibility of remedial work, refurbishments or even their original construction – who is responsible and where do you turn to for further support?
The long-term health of firefighters
Recent research has found that toxic contaminants in fires are directly linked to increased rates of cancer and mental health issues among firefighters. The impact of this has far reaching implications on not only firefighters’ physical health, but their mental health too. This workshop will provide an overview of the latest research and a response from the NFCC.
Utilising new technologies – the future of training
The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (A.I) and virtual reality (VR) present significant opportunities to the future of fire safety training. Digital means of training offer consistency in practical learning and benchmark competencies, a key indicator that will assist the IFE in their mission to drive professional competency globally. Participants in this session will see a simulation of the VR training modules used for operational apprenticeships at the world leading training facility, and join in the discussion on how we harness technological advances.
National regulator for construction products and the future of fire testing
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) takes on responsibility for the national regulation of construction products. The OPSS started work to establish the new Regulator in April 2021 and has begun to lead and coordinate work that will set a new regulatory approach for construction products with safety being placed at the core. This workshop will provide delegates with an overview of the types of work that will be undertaken by the new regulator to restore confidence in the safe design, construction, and management of high-rise residential buildings. Speakers confirmed so far include Chris Miles, Commercial Director, FPA and Peter Caplehorn, CEO, Construction Products Association.
Tackling fire safety in batteries
This workshop will examine the different battery applications including micro mobility, electric cars and the wider transport sector. It will explore the technology used, the issues surrounding fire safety and identifying solutions. Carefully considered measures are required to address the hazards these batteries pose and the options available to manage such risks.
Further information on sessions and speakers to be released as they are confirmed.