WOBO appreciates the links provided and the support given to members and fellow professionals
Fire Safety – the following provide a resume of items of interest – for further details click on the appropriate links
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance Panel established
THE GOVERNMENT has announced the appointment of six members to the Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance Panel. The latter has been established to support work on delivering the recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, accepted by the Government, which is focused on reviewing the statutory guidance accompanying the Building Regulations (ie the Approved Documents). Read more
Architectural institutes unite on fire safety design
THE PROFESSIONAL architectural institutes of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have formed a co-ordinated body – designated The Belfast Group – to ensure that architects across the UK and the Republic of Ireland benefit from standardised guidance when it comes to fire and life safety design. Read more
CLC publishes Gateway 2 guidance for new higher-risk buildings
THE CONSTRUCTION Leadership Council (CLC) has published a suite of guidance on Building Control approval applications for new higher-risk buildings (Gateway 2). This guidance has been produced in collaboration between the CLC, industry stakeholders and the Building Safety Regulator. Read more
Government of Jersey consults on fire safety laws for tall residential buildings
ISLANDERS WHO live in tall residential buildings in Jersey – or are otherwise involved in their ownership or management – are being consulted on a proposal from Deputy Mary Le Hegarat (the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs) focused around the introduction of new fire safety regulations.
RICS seeks membership views on updated cladding valuation standard
THE ROYAL Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched an online consultation focused on the second edition of its valuation standard for ‘Secured Lending Valuation of Properties in Multi-Storey, Multi-Occupancy Residential Buildings with Cladding’. Read more
Essential e-Learning programme devised for high-rise building managers
THE LEASEHOLD Advisory Service – the Government-funded advisory body providing trusted and independent support to leaseholders – and the Building Safety Regulator have introduced a free digital training programme designed to support the volunteer directors of Right to Manage Companies and Resident Management Companies operational in England. Read more
BS EN 81-76:2025 issued to assist building evacuation procedures
BS EN 81-76:2025 Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Lifts – Particular Applications for Passenger and Goods Passenger Lifts – Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities Using Lifts has been published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Read more
ASFP set to champion passive fire protection at Intersec 2026
THE ASSOCIATION for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is set to make a bold and influential mark at Intersec 2026, which runs from 12-14 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Upwards of 52,000 global professionals are expected to be in attendance. Read more
BS 9792 set to strengthen housing sector risk assessments
DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS aimed at guiding professionals conducting fire risk assessments in the housing sector have been issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to deliver enhanced clarity, consistency and assurance and, ultimately, assist in protecting people. Read more
BSR’s transition to MHCLG addressed at HSE’s 2025 AGM
AT THE Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) 2025 Annual General Meeting, which recently took place at the organisation’s headquarters in Bootle on Merseyside and was live-streamed online, the Building Safety Regulator’s transition to become an executive agency at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was addressed alongside the current applications procedure for higher-risk buildings. Read more
Warringtonfire invests £4 million on duo of furnaces at Birchwood Park
WARRINGTONFIRE – THE provider of fire testing, inspection and certification services and part of the Element Materials Technology Group – is now entering the next phase of development at its Birchwood Park laboratory by investing £4 million to add two new furnaces and increase testing capacity. Read more
At Gerda Security, We’re Not Waiting.
From September 2029, all fire doorsets installed in England will need to comply with the European standard EN 1634-1, replacing the current National standard BS 476-22. This significant change in fire safety legislation under Approved Document B (ADB) marks a major shift in fire safety legislation.
Our Flat Entrance Doorset ranges are already fully compliant with the European classifications for fire resistance and smoke control. Rigorously tested and carry third party certification. Whether you’re working on new builds, retrofits, or high-rise housing, now is the time to act with confidence.
For further information please click
The eight most common causes of workplace fires
Around 22,000 workplace fires occur across the UK every year, plus thousands more around the world. Here we look at the most common causes.
This briefing, sourced from IOSH Fire Risk Management Group publications, looks at the most common causes of such fires and what can be done to reduce the risks. The general information is relevant worldwide, though some regulations and guidance are UK-specific. Read more
Sustainable energy – the growing fire risks – Businesses are striving to reduce their carbon footprint. This blog post looks at the potential dangers of new technology.
A sustainable future
As businesses all over the world strive to reduce their carbon footprint and pursue a more sustainable future for our planet, we are seeing a shift from fossil fuels to less damaging energy sources.
More and more companies are reaping the financial, environmental and reputational rewards of exploring the switch to renewable energies such as solar and wind power, air or ground source heating systems, and green hydrogen fuel.
Although generally considered safe, these evolving technologies – with their intrinsic electrical hazards – are not without their own unique fire risks. Here we look at some of the potential dangers and steps to mitigate them.
The content has been sourced from IOSH Fire Risk Management Group publication Read more
Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester takes place on 1 October 2025 at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground and join 500+ peers for a day of unparalleled networking opportunities and knowledge exchange.
Fire Safety Matters Live Manchester is FREE-to-attend and your pass includes access to 11 CPD-accredited seminar sessions, complimentary lunch, refreshments, and parking. You will also have access to an exhibition showcasing all the latest fire safety products, services, guidance and training from 50+ of the UK’s leading fire safety brands. Click here for your free visitors badge
FULL CPD CONFERENCE AGENDA ANNOUNCED!
The changing landscape of fire safety – has enough been done to prevent large scale disasters occurring?
George Edwardes (Fire Protection Association)
Fire Safety Mock Trial
Elliott Kenton (Weightmans Solicitors) and James Muller (Weightmans Solicitors)
10 steps to managing and containing Lithium-ion battery fire risks
Matt Humby (Senior Technical Consultant – Firechief Global)
Specifying fire detection systems for a major upgrade or refurbishment
Ray Puttock (Wireless Fire Business Development & Marketing Consultant – EMS)
Fire Safety Above Ceiling Level – Understanding Compliance Challenges in Roof Void Applications
Dr Karthick Govarthanam (Firefly)
And Much More! You can see the full agenda by CLICKING HERE.