Open Events
The 2010 FIA Conference:
Entering a New Decade in Fire Safety
in association with Henderson's Insurance
25th March, Northampton
The FIA’s annual conference, in association with Henderson's Insurance, brings together both members and non-members from the fire industry, providing them with a forum to discuss all the latest key issues and topics affecting the fire safety community.
As we enter a new decade, the 2010 conference offers all delegates the opportunity to hear about the FIA’s plans for the coming year as well as gain a valuable insight from our guest speaker Les Byrom, Chairman for the Business & Community Safety Forum. The format of the day then moves into a series of half hour presentations across two rooms, allowing delegates to choose which seminar sessions are most relevant to them, before finishing up with an open networking session.
Agenda*
09.30-10.00 Registration with tea & coffee
10.00-10.05 Welcome & Introduction by Martin Harvey, FIA Chairman
10.05-10.40 The FIA’s achievements in 2009 and our 2010 plans
10.40-11.00 The Challenges for Government in Running a 21st Century Fire and Rescue Service: Keeping People Safe, Avoiding Property Losses in a Tough Financial Climate by Les Byrom, Business & Community Safety Forum Chairman
11.00-11.30 Coffee break
Room 1
11.30-12.00 Modeling and Reconstruction for Fire Investigations by Martin Shipp, BRE Global
For many years the fire division of BRE Global, under contract to Government, has carried out a programme of fire investigations, in support of their policy objectives and guidance documentation.
As a result, BRE Global’s unique expertise in this non-forensic type of fire investigation has been called upon for many major inquires, including the (first) Channel Tunnel fire; the Paddington rail incident; the Yarl’s Wood investigation; the Rose Park care home investigation and reconstruction; the Bethnal Green and Stevenage fatal fires; and, more recently, Penhallow Hotel and Atherstone on Stour.
Although many of these are still sub-judice Martin will describe the fire investigation work carried out by BRE Global and the support provided to some of the (now public) major investigations by large-scale laboratory reconstruction and/or computer modeling.
12.00-12.30 FSO Prosecutions: What’s happened in the past year by Hilary Ross, Bond Pearce
Following on from her first presentation for the FIA at last year's conference, Hilary will be looking at the enforcement powers under the FSO using recent examples as case studies. She will also review the level of fines imposed over the last year with particular emphasises on the Shell and New Look cases.
12.30-13.00 Services Directive: What does it mean to FIA members? by Ed Lister, ADT Fire & Security
Ed’s presentation will give a brief outline of what the Services Directive is and then go on to explain what the issues, concerns, challenges and opportunities presented by the Directive and what they mean to FIA members. He will explain how the European Fire Sector is working together with the European Electronic Security section to address these issues and provide FIA members with opportunities to benefit from this new legislation.
13.00-14.00 Lunch with The Blades display
14.00-14.30 Apprenticeships: A teacher’s point of view by Alan Wells, Skills for Security
The theme of this seminar is to show how students, male or female, can be motivated to study Fire Engineering and Standards, no matter what their background or level of qualifications.
Alan achieves this motivation via a series of activities develop over the past 30 years, including playing fire Standards ‘games’, entering 3D worlds to explore the operation of detectors and types of buildings and circuit simulation of systems.
This combination of strict target setting and monitoring with an informal and fun implementation has produced some excellent results when measured against national benchmarks.
14.30-15.00 IFE Registration/Proof of Competence: A joint venture by Dave Bartlett, Trinity Protection Systems
Dave’s presentation will introduce the new route for engineers working for FIA members to gain membership of the IFE as an Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) and how this will enable individuals to show an assessed measure of competence. The IFE assessment is a critical stage on the training roadmap that the FIA has developed, and this will be reviewed during the presentation.
The final “roadmap” clarifies the route for fire detection and alarm technicians to be trained from apprenticeship through to full membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers. The FIA and the IFE have worked closely together to develop this scheme, and are very committed to raising the profile of competency in our industry.
15.00-15.30 FIA Fire Risk Assessment Membership Criteria by Colin Todd, CS Todd Associates
In 2008, the FIA opened its doors to organisations that carry out the fire risk assessments now required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland). Since that time, the FIA has been extremely proactive in the development of criteria for member companies that carry out this work. Members are required to subscribe to a code of practice developed by the new Fire Risk Assessment Council, which Colin Todd chairs. This has led to a need for competence criteria for the fire risk assessors who undertake the work. Again, the Fire Risk Assessment Council has put considerable effort into consideration of the way in which competence can be identified. The approach adopted by the Fire Risk Assessment Council has been based on the approach adopted within the FIA to membership criteria for fire extinguisher maintenance companies. This had led to the development of a draft certification scheme, which the FIA has now passed to BAFE for further development as a BAFE certification scheme.
In his paper, Colin will outline the approach adopted by the Fire Risk Assessment Council to the important work of setting standards for fire risk assessment organisations, such as to satisfy the needs of the public for suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments, many of which are now carried out by FIA member companies. The need for reputable companies and competent fire risk assessors is now widely recognised by all stakeholders, including Government. Colin will report on the current position in this respect and look to the future for relevant membership criteria.
Room 2
11.30-12.00 FIA Guidance Papers: How they are produced and what are the latest ones by Robert Thilthorpe, FIA
This seminar will provide an insight into how the FIA prepares FIA Guidance Papers, how the subjects are selected, the consultation process, how FIA members can get involved in the process before going on to provide details on the latest papers to be published, including ones on REACH, ROHS, CPD v CPR and battery testing.
Robert will also provide a brief overview of the next topics to be given their own Guidance Papers, environment legislation - comparing EU and UK statutes, Changes to the Ozone Depleting Substances legislation, Planned Preventative Maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems.
12.00-12.30 Water Mist Systems: Installation and real world applications by Nick Ketteridge, Ultrasuppression
Well-established as a fire suppression solution in the maritime industry, water mist systems are now becoming recognised in wider applications – protection within the care industry, food manufacturing and reducing the risk to valuable assets, such as historic archives. Water mist utilises around 10-30% of the water required by sprinklers, so tank storage is kept to a minimum. The nature of the water mist prevents extensive smoke and water damage to the protected area, which means that a speedy reinstatement can done almost immediately after a discharge. The significant contribution of these systems in the field of fire protection is now beginning to earn them their rightful place in this vital area of safety.
12.30-13.00 Visual Alarm Devices: Case studies in the field of VAD by Bernard Laluvein, Tyco
Bernard’s presentation will provide an overview and explanation of the new European Standard, EN 54-23, for visual alarm devices. The seminar will cover the proposed Code of Practice, LPS 1562, which has been jointly developed by BRE and the FIA, as well as covering the experimental process that led to the recommendations of the Code. The presentation will close with a case study from the field.
13.00-14.00 Lunch with The Blades aerobatic display
14.00-14.30 ‘Over & Under’ Pressure Venting by Alan Elder, Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products
Alan’s paper will introduce the new FIA guidance paper on over & under pressure venting for gaseous extinguishing systems. He will explain the reasons why the FIA considered the guidance necessary.
The guidance explains what over and under pressurisation is and how it is addressed in the design of gaseous extinguishing systems. It covers what venting is required and how to calculate how much is needed depending on the gas used and room construction using worked examples.
14.30-15.00 F-Gas: An update for stakeholders by Keith Goodall, Goodall Consultancy
Keith’s presentation will provide an update of how the implementation of the F-Gas regulation in the UK has progressed. The trade has responded positively to legislation and turned a challenge to a benefit. A significant number of companies and technicians have been trained and certified. These are the only companies and personnel who are allowed by law to install and maintain these systems.
The deadline for mandatory certification of companies and personnel is July 4th. Keith will explain the steps the FIA is taking to ensure that all applicable companies and technicians are trained and certified to comply with the regulations.
15.00-15.30 Foams: A technical presentation on bio fuels/class A by Bob Whitlely, Tyco Fire & Integrated Products
With the ever increasing need to protect the environment and preserve natural resources we are seeing an increase in use of biofuels – fuels derived from natural plant sources rather than fossil fuels. These biofuels are blended with fossil fuels and this has a significant impact on the fire fighting performance of extinguishing media. The first part of this presentation will review the issues and how they can be addressed with the media available. In addition there have been more and more wildfires as seen in the USA and Australia and even Greece. In the second part of the paper Bob will look at what agents are available to fight these fires and what the implications are for FIA members.
15.30-16.30 Open Networking session with tea & coffee
16.30 Finish
*Subject to change
The venue for this year’s conference is the base for The Blades aerobatic team at Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton. The Blades is the world’s only globally-accredited aerobatic airline and its pilots are all either ex-RAF or Red Arrows. Not only are the Blades hosting the day, they will also be wowing delegates with a 15 minute display during lunch!
The combination of technical content, unique venue and lunchtime entertainment makes this the not-to-be-missed event of the year! Book your place now to avoid disappointment.
Fire Safety in Care Homes Seminar
21st April, Colchester
The aims of this seminar are to alert all care home managers, premises owners, building designers and consultants about the importance and benefits of incorporating fire safety management protection measures and help them provide a safe, worry free environment for residents and staff alike.
Fires in Cares Homes: A Problem and an Answer
Fires in care homes, especially those catering for the elderly and infirm, present their own serious hazards, particularly at night, as the residents may be unable to leave safely without assistance or they may be immobile as a result of disability, mental incapacity or medication.
There have been a number of serious fires in care homes in many parts of the world resulting in multiple deaths. Even the UK with its strict fire regulations has not been immune. Yet there are simple cost effective ways to protect residents, staff and the business.
Each year there are around 800 fires in homes providing care for older persons in the UK. On average three people die each year and a further 84 are injured. In the worst incident for many years, in 2004, one modern care home in Scotland suffered 14 deaths in a fire. There are also around 350 fires in children’s homes with two or three fatalities and around 650 fires in psychiatric hospitals every year.
Apart from the human tragedy that results from death and injuries, there are significant losses in respect of property damage. Major fires often result in businesses closing for good, as they never recover. Even where a home is not destroyed there can be significant commercial pressures on the owners and operators resulting from the need to provide alternative accommodation.
Agenda
9.30-10.00 Registration with tea & coffee
10.00-10.10 Welcome & Introduction
10.10-10.40 Legal Obligations: Fire Safety Order, Building Regulations: What you need to know about your responsibilities
10.40-11.00 Fire Risk Assessments: An introduction for care homes
11.00-11.15 Coffee Break
11.15-11.45 Sprinklers: An aid to flexibility and compliance
11.45-12.15 Fire Detection & Alarm Systems: A case study on care homes
12.15-13.15 Lunch
13.15-13.45 Fire Fighting by Care Home Staff: The use of extinguishers
13.45-14.15 Means of Escape, Emergency Lighting, Signs: Key points for care homes
14.15-14.45 Coffee Break
14.45-15.15 Third Party Certification, Maintenance and Product Approvals: Why these are so important
15.15-15.45 Questions and closing remarks
15.45 Close