Shows
Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 47Episode 47 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes detailed interviews with Richard Heaton (CEO) and Mike Lythgoe (sales director) from the Protec Fire and Security Group and also Stephen Marsh, head of sales at Cygnus (the developer of wireless fire detection and alarm systems).
Richard and Mike focus on several key areas, among them the immediate roadmap for the fire safety sector and the ongoing impact of the Internet of Things.
Returning guest Stephen Marsh addresses the unique set of challenges presented by heritage premises when it comes to the installation and management of fire...
2026-01-2654 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 46Episode 46 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with Derrick Hall (director of sales and marketing) and Kevin Mears (head of product management) at Kentec Electronics, while Brian also hears from Spike Armstrong (business development manager for Thermocable).
Derrick and Kevin concentrate on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (ie Martyn’s Law) in relation to the fire safety sector and the impact it will exert on product development. There’s also a focus on the statutory guidance being produced by the Government.
A member of the Halma plc Catalyst Programme, Spike Armstrong disc...
2025-10-1749 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 45Episode 45 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features two exclusive interviews. Brian hears from Darren Ellis, qualifications manager at FireQual, and Stephen Marsh (head of sales at wireless fire detection and alarm systems manufacturer Cygnus).
Darren focuses his attentions on FireQual as an organisation, the importance of competence in the sector and qualifications for fire risk assessors, while Stephen explains why school holidays are an ideal time for education sector trusts and academies alike to evaluate their fire detection and alarm systems.
In addition, Brian and Mark review the latest fire sector news.Subjects covered...
2025-09-0851 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 44Episode 44 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark interviewing Mike Sutton, business development manager at Apollo Fire Detectors. Mike’s a proud member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) and the Institution of Fire Engineers in addition to being an associate member of the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers.
On this occasion, Mike focuses his attentions on ways in which to protect educational premises from fire.
In addition, Brian and Mark analyse the latest industry news. Topics covered include the eighth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Industry and Regulators Co...
2025-06-281h 04Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 43Episode 43 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast sees Mark Sennett chatting with Warren Spencer about appealing Enforcement and Prohibition Notices.
Mark also sits down with Hochiki Europe's Martin Green and EA-RS Fire Enginering's Kevin Pullen to discuss key regulatory changes impacting fire safety system installations, the benefits of manufacturer-led training programs and much more.
In the news on this episode, Mark shares views put forwards by Industry bodies on the Government’s post-Grenfell plans, reaction to the news that Grenfell Tower is set to be demolished, FIRAS taking the decision to withdraw specific FIRAS active ce...
2025-03-1941 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 42Episode 42 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark chatting with our regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) about a specific Case Study in the healthcare sector and also why fines apportioned in the fire sector tend to be lower than for prosecutions in the Health and Safety domain.
Brian interviews Lee Nichols (technical director at Siderise). Lee concentrates on several core areas, among them current market challenges, the attainment of competence and how system manufacturers can actively support collaboration between design teams and contractors on-site.
In addition, Brian and Mark...
2025-02-2758 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 41Episode 41 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes interviews with Mark Whiteley (sales director for the UK and Ireland at asecos), Tony Smith (managing director of Vox Ignis) and Mandy Bowden (fire systems manager for Comelit-PAC).
Mark Whiteley discusses the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries, while Tony Smith concentrates on standards development and the future roadmap for the voice alarms market. Mandy Bowden looks at wireless fire safety systems, the necessity for staff training and also the influence of new Government legislation on the sector.
As always, Brian and Mark review the latest industry news...
2025-01-3052 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 40Episode 40 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features a trio of exclusive interviews with our guests Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), Craig Wells (sales director at Quelfire) and Phil Kirkham (engineering manager for applied technology at Elta Fans).
Warren Spencer chats with Mark about the Mock Trial held at Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester in early October. Returning guest Craig Wells focuses on the new Quelfire campaign ‘Because It’s Your Job To Know’ and Phil Kirkham discusses the importance of smoke ventilation fans.
Brian and Mark also analyse the latest industry news...
2024-11-131h 03Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 39Episode 39 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast focuses on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 final report. Mark and Brian take an in-depth look at the report and share comments from key stakeholders from across the UK fire sector.
This episode also contains two exclusive interviews featuring the opinions of Tom Brookes (managing director of Zzeus Training and chair of the Fire and Security Association) and Derrick Hall (sales and marketing director at Kentec Electronics).
In conversation with Brian, Tom touches on the qualifications landscape and also offers his thoughts on the Phase 2 final report from...
2024-09-131h 08Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 38Episode 38 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark chatting with James Pecz, head of global business development at Ramtech Electronics, the Nottingham-based developer of wireless electronic solutions.
James focuses his attentions on fire safety regulations in the UK, a comparison of standards on home shores versus the rest of the world, the overriding requirement for early detection systems in tandem with emergency evacuation and the steps that can be taken to improve fire safety regimes on construction sites.
Once again, Brian and Mark analyse the key stories emerging from the industry at present. On...
2024-07-0848 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 37Episode 37 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with three special guests: Richard Hull (Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire), Martin Green (commercial training and support manager at Hochiki Europe in the UK) and Paul Tilbury, divisional manager for fire systems at distributor Dynamic CCTV.
As reported by Fire Safety Matters, one of Professor Richard Hull’s recent studies has exposed potential inadequacies in the regulations focused on the fire safety of upholstered furniture. In conversation with Brian, Richard examines the ma...
2024-04-3050 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 36Episode 36 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with regular contributor Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), Terry Edge (independent expert and consultant on furniture fire safety) and David Fitzpatrick, general manager in the UK for SMAY Ventilation Systems.
In conversation with Mark Sennett (the CEO of Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters), Warren Spencer references a News story published online by Fire Safety Matters last December in which a prosecution case launched against a fire risk assessor and his company collapsed after it was discovered that the fire...
2024-03-041h 17Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 35Episode 35 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian in conversation with Alasdair Perry (CEO at the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) and Craig Wells, sales director at passive fire protection solutions specialist Quelfire.
Ali Perry began his career in the Fire and Rescue Service by serving for just shy of seven years with the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. The position of assistant inspector with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Services followed before Ali then joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In addition to his role as CEO at BAFSA, wh...
2023-12-041h 09Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 34Episode 34 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian in discussion with a duo of sector specialists: Steve McGuirk (executive officer at the Fire Sector Federation) and Derrick Hall, sales and marketing director for life safety control systems developer Kentec Electronics.
A former Board director for the Institution of Fire Engineers, Steve was recognised for his contribution to public service through the award of the Queens Fire Service Medal in 2002 and a CBE two years later. He served as an Expert Witness during the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.
In conversation with Brian, Steve duly focuses...
2023-10-061h 00Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 33Episode 33 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian in discussion with special guest Judith Schulz, a director of – and the fire safety engineering team leader at – specialist consultant Arup.
The proud holder of qualifications from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the University of Southampton and, indeed, the University of Cambridge, Judith has led the Fire Skills Learning Framework within Arup and overseen the creation of a two-year transition programme for new graduates joining Arup Fire such that they can become fire safety engineers.
During the course of a detailed interview, Judith focuses her attentions on s...
2023-07-1757 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 32Episode 32 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast witnesses Western Business Media’s CEO Mark Sennett in conversation with regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). Warren reviews the two-hour webinar run jointly by Blackhurst Budd Solicitors and Fire Safety Matters on Friday 2 June, which concentrated on the ramifications of proposed Government amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Brian hears from Matt Wood (CEO and owner at Millwood Servicing), who duly outlines the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks in the fire sector. Further, Brian chats with Patol’s managing director Iain Cumn...
2023-06-121h 15Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 31Episode 31 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) interviewing regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). The duo chat about a special two-hour webinar focused on the ramifications of proposed Government amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. The webinar, which is being run jointly by Blackhurst Budd Solicitors and Fire Safety Matters, takes place on Friday 2 June 2023 at 10.00 am.
Also on Episode 31, Brian hears from Gary Moffatt (director of fire and security in the UK at Chubb). Gary focuses on the golden thread of information...
2023-03-2851 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 30On Episode 30 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) chats with Derrick Hall (director of sales for Kentec Electronics) and Craig Puddefoot, managing director at London-based fire safety systems installer Early Birds Fire Protection Ltd. During the interview, Derrick and Craig concentrate on two core issues pertaining to the fire sector: training and the installation of fire safety systems.
Mark is also in conversation with Paul Adams (marketing manager for Hochiki Europe) and Will Lloyd, technical manager at the Fire Industry Association. Paul and Will offer an insightful overview of today’s...
2023-02-071h 11Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 29Episode 29 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media and the founder of Fire Safety Matters) in conversation with Andrew Cooper, the managing director of Global HSE Solutions (and Global Technical Services), the company firmly focused on fire safety engineering and passive fire protection services. During the course of the interview, Andrew turns his attentions towards developments at the business in the last 12 months, outlines the company’s plans for 2023 and also focuses on the ‘golden thread’ of information for buildings (encompassing a partnership with PlanRadar).
In addition, there’s a detailed...
2023-01-0944 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 28Episode 28 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) once again chatting with our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, Warren outlines the new fire safety legislation being brought forward in 2023.
In addition, Mark hears from Colin Smith (field product manager for the UK life safety division at Eaton). In his present role, Colin is responsible for the ownership, development and marketing of the company’s fire alarm and emergency lighting platforms here in the UK. In conversation with Mark, Co...
2022-12-0953 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 27Episode 27 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) in conversation with our regular guest Warren Spencer (managing director of Blackhurst Budd Solicitors).
This time around, Mark and Warren address some of the questions that were posed during the recent joint Fire Safety Matters-Blackhurst Budd Solicitors online conference entitled: ‘Is The Fire Risk Assessor’s Voice Being Heard?’ With more and more investigations being conducted and enforcement action taken involving fire risk assessments, are fire risk assessors being properly represented and protected?
In addition, Episode 27 also includes Brian’s detailed...
2022-07-1828 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 26Episode 26 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media) chatting with Ken Bullock (business development manager for emergency evacuation systems at Advanced) about BS 8629, the Code of Practice for the Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Evacuation Alert Systems for Use by the Fire and Rescue Services in Buildings Containing Flats.
In a recent Fire Safety Matters webinar run in partnership with Advanced, Ken Bullock explained how ‘over-engineering’ temporary systems will allow conversion to an evacuation alert system once a risk assessor has confirmed that the ‘Stay Put’ policy can be reinstat...
2022-05-0254 min
Food Safety MattersEp. 116. Warren, Houlroyd, White: The Intersection of Food Safety and Worker SafetyHilarie Warren, M.P.H., C.I.H., manages the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center at Georgia Tech, one of the first OTI Education Centers in the national network of occupational safety and health training organizations authorized by OSHA. Jenny Houlroyd, M.S.P.H., C.I.H., has worked as an industrial hygienist with the OSHA Consultation Program for 16 years, providing onsite OSHA compliance assistance for businesses throughout the state of Georgia. She serves as the Manager of the Occupational Health Group for that program. Wendy White, M.Sc., is the Food and...
2022-04-121h 15Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 25Episode 25 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Mark interviewing Tom Crane, business unit director at Hyfire, the developer of wireless fire alarm and detection solutions. Recently appointed by the company to manage its nationwide sales team in the UK and Ireland as well as oversee future growth, Tom focuses his attentions on the benefits to be realised from the adoption of wireless fire detection technology.
Once again, Mark hears from our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). This time around, the subject for discussion is fire risk assessors...
2022-03-0958 minFood Safety MattersEp. 114 Jeff Hahn: Crisis Management for Food Industry LeadersJeff Hahn, Principal at Hahn Marketing & Communications, is a crisis communications expert with 30 years of experience in communications and public relations. He is a specialist in the food and energy sectors and is the owner of a family of integrated agency brands including Apron Food & Beverage Communications, Hahn Public Communications, the Predictive Media Network, and White Lion Interactive. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, where he completed his associate degree in administration, and then graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from The University of Texas at San Antonio. He is formally trained in persuasion...
2022-03-081h 03Food Safety MattersEp. 113. Shawn Stevens: What's Driving Recalls and FDA EnforcementShawn Stevens is the founding member of Food Industry Counsel, the only law firm in the world that represents the food industry exclusively. As a food industry consultant and lawyer, Mr. Stevens works throughout the U.S. and abroad with food industry clients—including the world's largest growers, processors, restaurant chains, distributors, and grocers—helping them protect their brands by reducing food safety risks, complying with FDA and USDA food safety regulations, managing recalls and defending high-profile foodborne illness claims. Mr. Stevens also speaks regularly to audiences on a wide variety of emerging scientific, regulatory, and...
2022-02-221h 13Fire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 24This episode features Brian chatting with Stuart Letley, director and owner of Clear Safety Services. During the interview, Stuart covers a number of topics, among them the cladding issue, fire safety risks in the housing association sector, the recent fire at New Providence Wharf and anticipated further changes in the fire safety environment now that the Fire Safety Act has passed into law.
As always, Mark sits down with our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, the duo unveil some of the detail behind a two-hour...
2022-01-2147 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 23Episode 23 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian and Mark reflecting on 2021, focusing in particular on the many achievements realised by the magazine across the last 12 months (among them the launch of Fire Safety Matters Live in November, four nominations at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards and the publication of the first-ever edition of the Fire Industry Association’s annual Guide to the UK Fire Safety Industry).
As always, we feature a round-up of the latest industry news. Here, there’s discussion around the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, the professional indemnity insurance crisis currently impacting fire risk...
2021-12-2037 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 22Episode 22 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast encompasses a detailed conversation between Brian and Steve Davies (the new CEO at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection). The duo chat about a number of core industry subjects, among them the recent launch of the ASFP’s e-Learning platform and also the current state of play when it comes to legislation and its direct impact on the sector.
As always, Mark sits down with our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). This time around, Warren focuses on the key issue of cu...
2021-11-0255 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 21Episode 21 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes an interview with Anthony Walker (director and also a member of the Board at Sircle). Brian puts a number of questions to Anthony (who’s a Chartered surveyor and fire engineer) focused around several key topic areas, among them cladding for buildings, qualifications for fire risk assessors, EWS-1 Forms and the ‘golden thread’ of information.
Once again, Mark hears from our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, Warren turns his attentions towards the belief that associations need to take t...
2021-08-041h 04Fire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 20Episode 20 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with Chartered fire engineer Dr Tony Cash and Don Randall MBE (chair of the City of London Crime Prevention Association). In conversation with Brian, these hugely respected sector professionals focus their attentions on Project Kestrel, a brand new initiative specifically aimed at offering front line security personnel the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised certificate of learning in fire awareness.
As always, Mark hears from our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). Warren assesses the recent online conference organised...
2021-06-1054 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 19Episode 19 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes an exclusive first interview with Peter Baker of the Health and Safety Executive. In conversation with Brian, the newly-appointed Chief Inspector of Buildings examines the focal points of his work on establishing and leading the Building Safety Regulator, assesses the competency landscape and the Building Safety Bill and then moves on to outline the key deliverables that he would like to see realised during his term of office.
Our regular Fire Safety Matters Podcast guest Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) chats with Mark to put forward...
2021-05-071h 04Fire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 18Episode 18 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian interviewing Niall Rowan, CEO of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection. Making his second appearance on the Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Niall reviews his time as CEO and details the key achievements realised by the organisation. He also turns his attentions towards the competency agenda in the fire sector and discusses the key elements of the Building Safety Bill and the Fire Safety Bill.
With the Home Office now signalling the prospect of unlimited fines for proven breaches of fire safety regulations, Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst...
2021-03-2957 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 17Episode 17 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast features Brian interviewing Brett Ennals, founder and managing director of Cento (the nationwide recruitment company with a keen focus on the fire and security markets). Brett reviews the current state of play in the recruitment market, the skills shortage in the fire and security sectors, salary levels and the role of sub-contractors. He also details Best Practice advice for job candidates and hiring businesses as we move into the New Year.
Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) looks back at the digital conference on the Fire Safety Bill...
2021-02-1044 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 16Brian hears from Wayne Woodland (Pre-Construction Director) and Matthew Flower (Sector Director) of Miller Knight, the specialist company focused on remedial passive fire protection measures. They outline key changes in the new build sector regarding fire protection post-Grenfell, the scope of current building regeneration projects and how it can be ensured that fire safety installations are being conducted in the correct manner.
With Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) absent from Episode 16 due to work commitments, this time around Mark looks ahead to next month’s digital conference on the Fire Safety Bill in which Wa...
2020-11-241h 05Fire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 15Brian interviews Richard Jenkins (CEO) and John Davidson (Head of Field Operations for Systems) of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). They outline the work of the NSI and its key role in the fire safety sector, in addition to focusing on how fire safety solution providers can navigate their route towards achieving third party certification and also highlighting the organisation’s views in relation to the draft Building Safety Bill.
Once again, Mark hears from Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). This time around, Warren concentrates on the impact of COVID-19 in terms of compliance wi...
2020-10-2755 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 14Brian interviews Colin Todd MBE (Managing Director of C.S. Todd & Associates) on the changes taking place within the UK’s fire safety sector and how they’re directly impacting consultants, the registration process for fire risk assessors, developments with standards and guidance documents and also revisions to some of the industry’s key reference works.
As always, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors). On this occasion, Warren focuses his attentions on fire doors and the legalities pertaining to them. In addition, Mark hears from Mark Whiteley (UK and Ireland Sales Manager at ase...
2020-10-131h 05Fire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 13Brian hears from Bob Bantock (Heritage Fire Safety Specialist at the National Trust) about the key challenges facing the Trust’s properties and fire safety regime during the COVID-19 pandemic, Best Practice approaches for risk assessments and the importance of Continuing Professional Development for today’s fire safety practitioners.
Once again, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors), this time specifically in relation to an upcoming digital conference focused on the Fire Safety Bill. In addition, Mark interviews James Jones (Managing Director at fire evacuation alarm systems developer Vimpex) with a focus on CE m...
2020-09-2951 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 12Brian interviews Ian Moore (CEO of the Fire Industry Association) about BAFE’s recent acquisition of the FIA’s Awarding Organisation and also the FIA’s new partnership with Western Business Media, which will see the publication of an all-new Annual Guide to UK Fire Safety.
As always, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (Managing Director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) in relation to legal issues affecting the industry and also interviews Tony Hanley (Managing Director of FirePro UK) with a focus on third party certification when it comes to fire suppression systems.
Major news stories analysed this t...
2020-09-1551 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 11Brian interviews Stephen Adams (CEO of BAFE) in relation to BAFE having recently acquired the Fire Industry Association’s Awarding Organisation and forming FireQual Ltd to progress qualifications for the UK’s fire sector.
In addition, Mark chats with Warren Spencer (managing director at Blackhurst Budd Solicitors) who addresses a question posed by one of Fire Safety Matters’ readers and also interviews Andy Spence (sales director and general manager at Britannia Fire) about how standards can slow down innovation in the world of fire suppression.
Major news stories analysed include AMA Research’s report on the acti...
2020-09-0145 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 10Brian interviews Tony Cash (President of the Rail Industry Fire Association) in relation to several key topics, among them how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted fire safety regimes on the railway network and the main changes to those safety regimes since the findings of the Kings Cross fire that occurred in 1987 were made public.
In addition, Mark chats with Tim Barker (UK Account Manager at FSi Ltd, the specialist fire protection systems manufacturer renowned for its expertise in fire stopping and compartmentation solutions) about the importance of using suitable passive fire protection systems and the new Building...
2020-08-1836 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 9Episode 9 of the fortnightly Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian interviewing Roy Wilsher (chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council) about Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the draft Building Safety Bill and the Fire Safety Bill and also how the Fire and Rescue Service has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mark chats with fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer concerning current legal developments impacting the sector and also interviews Adam Welton (Head of Sales at LAN Control Systems) to discover what’s happening in the sphere of fire alarm management solutions.
2020-08-0448 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 8Episode 8 of the fortnightly Fire Safety Matters Podcast includes Brian chatting with Graham Ferris (General Manager at the Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association) on several core subjects, among them competency in fire safety work and the key challenges ahead for the sector. Mark hears all about the latest legal developments courtesy of fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer and also interviews Ray Puttock (Marketing Manager at EMS) on the benefits to be realised from the installation and use of wireless fire detection systems. The big news stories analysed include the Government’s publication of the draft Building Safety Bill an...
2020-07-2144 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 7In Episode 7 of the fortnightly Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Brian interviews Dennis Davis (Executive Officer at the Fire Sector Federation) about numerous issues, among them Approved Document B, competency in the fire sector, the much-discussed Fire Safety Bill and, of course, the ongoing (and vital) work of the Federation itself.
As always, Mark hears from fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer who, this time around, focuses on fire inspections and a new service designed to limit liability under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Also, C-TEC founder and director Andy Scott talks about BS 8629. The news round-up includes...
2020-07-0740 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 6In Episode 6 of the fortnightly Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Brian chats with Peter Aldridge (General Manager at the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers and also General Manager for Estates, Fire and Security at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) about the importance of CPD and the impact of COVID-19 on the role of fire safety managers within the NHS. Mark hears from fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer in relation to current legal issues and also interviews Craig Halford (Managing Director at Jactone Products) on product compliance and current developments at the fire safety and signage developer. This week’s...
2020-06-2354 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 5In Episode 5 of the fortnightly Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Brian interviews Niall Rowan (CEO at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection) about several major topics, among them the Fire Safety Bill and the future direction of travel when it comes to passive fire protection. As always, Mark chats with fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer and also hears from Nigel Ward (technical support specialist at FFE) on the latest developments in beam detection technology. This week’s breaking news stories include UKAS support for BAFE’s ‘Don’t Just Specify, Verify!’ campaign and hot work-induced fires in the construction sector.
2020-06-0939 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 4On this episode of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast, Brian interviews Bob Docherty (Chairman of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers) on the key topic of accreditation, while Mark chats with fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer on HMO prosecutions under the Fire Safety Order and also Gary Craig (Sales Director at global fire protection business Advanced). Analysis of this week’s news includes an appraisal of the RIBA’s views on the restriction of combustible materials in buildings and the FIA’s soon-to-be-introduced online examinations.
2020-05-2750 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 3In this episode, Brian and Mark discuss the second reading of the Fire Safety Bill, while lawyer Warren Spencer shares his thoughts on Third Party Certification as a statutory defence. This week's guests include BAFE Chief Executive Stephen Adams and Detector Testers Key Account Manager Mark Rivers.
2020-05-1244 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 2This week, Brian and Mark interview Fire Industry Association CEO Ian Moore about the key topic of fire safety competency. The boys are also joined once again by leading lawyer Warren Spencer who talks about how the FSO is being used in relation to domestic premises. There's also an interview with Apollo Fire Detectors' Salvy Vittozzi, as well as coverage and views on the biggest news stories in the sector.
2020-04-2845 minFire Safety Matters PodcastFSM Podcast - Episode 1Welcome to the first episode of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast hosted by Brian Sims and Mark Sennett, who will analyse this week's biggest news stories. The boys will be joined this week by leading fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer to discuss the government's proposed new Fire Safety Bill and Global Fire Equipment's Paul Pope who is also a director of the Fire Industry Association.
2020-04-0934 min