By Chris Tilley, Head of Commercial, Fire Industry Association

The FIA Technology Council has taken an important step forward with the launch of four new working groups focused on BS 8644, job management systems, cyber security and interoperability. 

Launching four working groups concurrently is a new approach for the FIA, but there is good reason for doing so. Since the Technology Council first came together, it has become increasingly clear that many of the challenges surrounding technology in our industry cannot be considered in isolation. 

The Council was established to explore how we can improve the accessibility, interoperability and practical value of fire safety data and software. At its heart is a relatively simple ambition: to help our industry make better use of digital information, enabling better decisions and supporting safer buildings.  

Four different conversations, with significant common ground 

Having been involved in the initial meetings of all four working groups, what has struck me is how quickly the conversations have started to overlap. 

The BS 8644 Working Group is initially focused on improving understanding of the standard. Its planned journey starts with whitepapers before moving towards guidance and, ultimately, educational material that can help the industry understand and apply BS 8644 in practice.  

The Job Management Systems Working Group is looking at what "good" looks like when organisations procure and use these systems. Importantly, this is intended to remain vendor-neutral. The objective is not to promote particular platforms or features, but to help service companies, software providers and end-users understand what a compliant and effective system should enable them to achieve.  

The Cyber Security Working Group is considering another part of the same picture. As fire safety products and services become increasingly connected, how do we ensure that the information and systems we rely upon are appropriately protected? The group is considering manufacturers, service organisations and end-users, as well as both new products and the substantial legacy installed base already operating in buildings.  

Finally, the Interoperability Working Group has begun exploring perhaps one of the most challenging questions: how should fire safety information move between the different organisations and systems involved throughout the life of a building? Its initial discussion considered data ownership, creation and custody, alongside the potential for improved data continuity to support stronger audit trails, more efficient maintenance and easier transitions between service providers.  

What becomes possible when information can work harder? 

Collectively, these discussions raise a bigger question. 

Our industry creates a significant amount of valuable information. It can exist within fire panels, certificates, logbooks, job management systems, cloud platforms and numerous other locations. But creating information is not the same as extracting value from it. 

If reliable information can be appropriately accessed, understood and transferred, there is an opportunity to improve decision-making throughout a building's lifecycle. That could benefit manufacturers, service providers, building owners, Responsible Persons and, ultimately, the people who rely upon those buildings being safe. 

There are legitimate commercial, technical, regulatory and cyber security considerations to work through. Interoperability, for example, does not necessarily mean that every piece of information must be openly available to everyone. Determining what should be accessible, by whom, and under what circumstances is precisely the type of question these groups can help the industry explore. 

Help us define what good looks like 

These working groups are at the beginning of their journey, and that is important. 

The Technology Council does not want to develop answers in isolation. We want to bring together expertise from across fire safety, software, technology, building management and related sectors to understand both the opportunities and the practical challenges. 

If your organisation creates, manages, protects or uses building and fire safety information, there is an opportunity to contribute. 

The direction of travel is becoming clearer. Now we want the industry to help us shape where it leads. 

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