Since the publication of BS 8674 there has been great interest in fire risk assessor competence requirements and how these may be specified and verified. This seminar looks at the standard, the qualifications that have been mapped against it and how UKAS accredited certification schemes will continue to provide the gold standard.

From schools and care homes to guest houses, retail premises and student accommodation, more and more sites are looking to upgrade ageing fire alarm systems to take advantage of modern technologies such as false alarm-resistant detection, lockdown alert integration and cloud-based monitoring. This presentation will explore some of the options available including the practical considerations involved in upgrading existing fire alarm infrastructure.

This session focuses on meeting recognised industry standards across training, competency, siting, and system installation. It reinforces compliance with BSI and manufacturer requirements, including product compatibility and correct component use, and highlights the importance of approved, financially stable suppliers to maintain certification, warranties, and long-term system compliance.

Drawing on recent Single Building Assessment programmes for housing associations and local authorities, this session explores the practical realities of delivering robust assessments across complex, occupied residential buildings. It will look at the challenges encountered during the assessment process, how these can be overcome, and the lessons that can help inform future SBA programmes across Scotland.

Martyn’s Law is changing how publicly accessible premises think about safety, moving the focus beyond evacuation to also include invacuation, lockdown and emergency communication. This thought-provoking session explores how fire, security and building management must work together to ensure occupants receive clear and unambiguous instruction, to the right people, in an expedient manner during an incident.

In high-risk industrial environments, fires can develop rapidly and the earliest warning signs are not always smoke. This session explores when flame detection should be considered across applications including distilleries, processing facilities, waste and recycling, energy sites and ATEX areas, using a real-world example from Scotland to show how different fire risks can influence the detection strategy. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where flame detection fits, what to assess before specifying it, and how it can work alongside other technologies as part of a layered fire detection approach.

Tesco's retail fire risk management focuses on proactively identifying fire hazards, reducing ignition risks, and maintaining robust prevention controls across stores, warehouses, and offices. It combines regular fire risk assessments, colleague training, strict compliance with fire safety legislation, and the maintenance of fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems.

Fire harms more than children's education. It also affects their well-being and puts immense pressure on staff, many of whom understandably leave to other schools. Meanwhile a facility that is used out of school hours by local clubs and societies is no longer available. If we want schools that are built to last, they should be sprinklered. A new cost benefit analysis makes the case for sprinklers in schools.

This Panel session will have a panel of female fire safety professionals discussing how they got into the sector and what more can be done to encourage more women to join the sector.