About Us
Who are we?
The Fire Industry Association, or the FIA as we are more commonly known, is a not-for-profit trade association with the aim of promoting the professional status of the UK fire safety industry. Our core values are to:
- Demonstrate and promote the highest ethical standards
- Always strive for the highest affective standards of fire safety
- Be recognised as THE experts in providing solutions to fire protection problems
- Provide an open, transparent and equal forum for members regardless of size
- Demonstrate speed and an ability to get things done
The Association was born out of a merger between two longstanding and well-respected trade associations, FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trade Association) and BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association). The two associations had long shared a common interest in the promotion of the professional status of the UK fire industry and the FIA is proud to continue this work.
Formed in April 2007 the FIA is ‘owned’ by its members, which means that we are answerable to our members, making us truly representative of our members. We have a secretariat, which consists of the staff at our HQ in Hampton who ensure everything we promise to do, we actually do! The Secretariat reports to the Board, which has a number of Councils that report in – each Council covers a particular sector of the fire safety industry, for example fire risk assessment, portables and fire detection and alarm. Each Council also has a number of working groups or task groups that focus on particular technical issues arising; to learn more about each of the groups please view the Structure section to the left of the page. All groups, Councils and the Board are made up of representatives from our member companies.
What do we do?
Some of what we do as a trade association is intangible but we also have some very tangible offerings to members and non-members alike!
Our main objective is to promote the professional standards of the fire industry through close liaison and lobbying with Government and official bodies as well other key organisations in the industry. We aim to inform our members and the general market about the latest legislation and how it can affect their business.
We provide technical knowledge and advice to anyone who needs it regarding fire safety in the UK. We also provide training courses to members and non-members alike on all the latest technical and legislative topics to affect those working with fire safety.
One important aspect of our work is to communicate and promote best practice and other useful information out into the public domain. To this effect we produce quarterly newsletters, FIA Focus, as well as guidance documents, our Best Practice Guide and research survey reports to name but a few.
What can we do for you?
The answer to that question depends on whether you are a member business or someone searching for the right company for your needs.
Member Benefits
One major benefit to being a member of the FIA is having the opportunity to influence and have direct input into the development of Standards and legislation that shape the UK fire safety industry. Other benefits include:
- Better Prices – for training courses, publications and data, seminars and conferences, exhibition space
- Relationship Building Opportunities – through our networking events, conferences etc.
- Technical Support – from our technical team in Kingston
- Promotion of Your Business – via our web-based member directory
- Use of FIA Logo – what more visible way to show your commitment to upholding the standards of the industry than to have the FIA logo on your company letterhead, advertising, corporate vehicles etc.
- Business Support – human resource and legal issues can be resolved thanks to our dedicated Helpline
Customer Benefits
All of the FIA’s members are involved in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of fire safety equipment or are fire risk assessors. In order to become a full member every business must adhere to a strict criteria, which includes third party accreditation. Third party accreditation schemes ensure that the products, systems and services provided by a member company are fit for purpose and the FIA firmly believes that these schemes also demonstrate competence as referred to in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
In addition all our members are bound by the FIA Leadership Statement, which stipulates the parameters under which they must operate.
Basically, if you employ the services of one of our members you know that they will provide the required level of performance in compliance with relevant standards, reassuring you that you have taken all reasonable steps required to fulfil your responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order.