Fire Safety Matters

Wishing all of our readers, contributors and commercial partners a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. See you all again in 2025!

Appearing at Derby Magistrates’ Court on 5 December, Joseph Kidd, Anthony Melland and Adam Swindells admitted depositing shredded waste at Great Low Farm in Buxton from 6-9 November 2020. The trio did not possess an environmental permit and failed to keep waste transfer notes. Consequently, they were fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £13,970. Kidd (aged 35, of Delamere Drive in Macclesfield) was fined £830, a victim surcharge of £83 and also ordered to pay costs of £8,000. Melland (aged 54, of Great Low Farm in Buxton) was fined £432, a victim surcharge of £43 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. Finally, Swindells (aged 30, of Wilbraham Road in Congleton) was fined £529, a victim surcharge of £53 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000. Derby Magistrates’ Court was told that, on 9 November 2020, the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the farm where shredded waste and tyres were on fire. While the blaze was being fought, a JCB Fastrac and trailer (driven by Swindells) arrived at the farm containing a further eight tonnes of shredded waste. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/ef9kSCjE The Environment Agency

Passive fire protection specialist Promat has appointed a new architectural specification manager for the North and Midlands in order to broaden the company’s support capacity in the region as demand grows. Martin Wrigley TIFireE joins the team to work in the region alongside Harvey Brown AIFireE Brown, who has recently taken the position of national specification manager. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/ey6Yc_J2

Through the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the Government has published new statutory guidelines for businesses producing and distributing lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes. The move represents the latest step in tackling fires caused by unsafe e-bikes and associated products. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/ewgD3ASU

Hochiki Europe has forged a new partnership with @NBS | Powered by Hubexo, the leading construction specification platform. This collaboration aims to streamline the specification process and make it easier than ever to incorporate Hochiki’s products into building projects. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/e7qUBCjD

Recognising the importance of insulation’s long-term thermal performance in the energy efficiency of buildings, insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL UK has issued a Technical Bulletin concentrating on the durability of its stone wool insulation. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/e7qUBCjD

The 24th International Water Mist Conference (#IWMC2025) will take place in Manchester on 24 and 25 September 2025. The event is organised by the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) and the Call for Papers has now been published. The abstract deadline is 15 April. For the first time, Max Lakkonen (IFAB), the newly elected IWMA president, will open the event. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/ewgbucuC

Siderise Group has successfully completed the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment process for its RH Horizontal and RV Vertical cavity barrier for cladding applications and also the CT Cavity Tray and EW Cavity Barrier and Firestop for masonry external wall systems. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/eZfytGv2

As many sector commentators continue to reflect on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and its recommendations, it’s important to recognise that the issues brought to light extend far beyond high-rise residential buildings. The challenges highlighted by this tragedy, asserts Tom Roche, and highlighted in the Phase 2 final report are not confined to one type of building or one type of issue. Rather, they permeate across the entire built environment. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/efhMK2HB Business Sprinkler Alliance Iain Cox

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has expanded its team with the appointment of Michelle Letts as an additional training officer. Letts will bring 16 years of experience to bear gained in a variety of roles across the construction and manufacturing sectors. Read more on the Fire Safety Matters website https://lnkd.in/eajzvXdk Mike Ward Anna Hayes