As the summer holidays approach, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) is calling on fire alarm companies and service providers to retain used, working heat detectors during planned scheduled upgrades—particularly in schools.

These devices are urgently needed to support research in partnership with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), aimed at analysing how environmental conditions affect their performance—informing future fire detection standards and system design.

Why summer holidays?

The summer break is a key period for school maintenance and fire alarm upgrades, making it the perfect time to collect detectors that would otherwise be discarded—and instead contribute to research that benefits the entire fire industry.

Requirements

• Detectors must be in working condition
• Each detector must be sent with a completed questionnaire outlining where it was used and any relevant environmental factors

This data is essential for ensuring the research produces meaningful, real-world insights to improve fire detection systems.

About the research

The FIA and BRE are working together to study how real-life conditions influence heat detector reliability and lifespan. The findings will help shape future standards, maintenance guidance, and product development across the sector.

How to donate

To contribute, please email [email protected] for shipping instructions.
Send your completed questionnaire to the same address.

The FIA and BRE thank all contributors so far—but with summer upgrades ahead, now is the perfect time to get involved. Let’s work together to drive forward fire safety through research.

Discover how you can make a difference in the fire industry by getting involved with our Councils, Working Groups and Special Interest Groups. Learn more here.