This change establishes the Confederation as a unified voice for the sector, strengthening governance and simplifying its structure.

Chair John Spencer describes the past year as one of “purpose, intent and growing confidence,” with the Confederation increasingly recognised as a trusted body bringing together expertise from across a historically fragmented sector.

Executive Director, Steve McGuirk notes that the Confederation is now “an increasingly influential organisation, supporting sector wide collaboration that is shaping policy.

As the building safety landscape continues to evolve, the Confederation’s role will remain focused on bringing organisations together, supporting collective insight, and helping the sector navigate complex and emerging risks.

Read the full report here:

https://firesectorconfederation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FSC-ANNUAL-REPORT.pdf

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Fire risk assessors perform a critical role in ensuring fire safety. Fire risk assessments help ensure hazards are identified and the right fire precautions delivered to keep people safe in the buildings where they live, work, and visit. At present, Responsible Persons (usually the owner or landlord) can undertake their own fire risk assessments or may appoint someone, known as a fire risk assessor, to assist them in doing so.  The consultation is looking at strengthening standards, ensuring those who conduct assessments have the proper competencies and capabilities to do so.

The consultation is also an important step in delivering Recommendation 26 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report, in response to which Government committed to establish a mandatory certification system for fire risk assessors.

Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, Samantha Dixon said: “Fire risk assessors play a vital role keeping our communities safe from fires.

“I would strongly encourage you to respond to this consultation, to help us introduce the right measures to make sure we have consistent competency across the profession.”   

The consultation seeks views on proposals relating to:

• defining the role of fire risk assessors and their protected assistance duties.
• considering the Responsible Person’s ability to conduct their own assessments.
• developing a competency framework and standards, with robust methods of verifying competence.
• establishing clear career pathways, through proposals for apprenticeships and a proficient workers scheme.
• providing appropriate regulatory powers and ensuring effective implementation of measures.

The consultation launched today and will run for 12 weeks, closing on 18 June. The consultation can be found here – Fire risk assessors profession – GOV.UK

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The report, What is the Cost of Fires in Schools, finds that six to seven school fires occur every week, damaging classrooms, displacing pupils, and disrupting communities. Over a 30‑year period, the likelihood of a secondary school experiencing a fire reaches 70%.

NFSN’s analysis shows the average cost of a school fire is £282,200, with total annual losses reaching £126 million. These figures exclude the wider human and social impacts, including trauma, lost coursework, and the disruption faced by vulnerable pupils.

Government data cited in the report shows that each lost day of education reduces a child’s future lifetime earnings by £750. The research concludes that in secondary schools, a single day of closure is enough to justify the cost of installing sprinklers.

The evidence on sprinkler performance is equally clear: over 97% of school fires occur in buildings without sprinklers, while systems that activate are 98% effective at extinguishing or controlling fires.

Terry McDermott, QFSM, MA, Secretary , National Fire Sprinkler Network, said: “Every week, schools are impacted by fire and every closure harms children’s learning and community stability. Sprinklers work, they are cost‑effective, and they prevent devastation. Protecting schools is not optional, it is essential.”

NFSN is urging government and education authorities to strengthen regulations and ensure sprinklers are included as standard in all new and refurbished school buildings.

For more information visit www.nfsn.uk

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The past year has been transformative. Achieving charity status marked more than an administrative milestone; it signalled our commitment to operating as a permanent, sustainable institution serving the public good. The establishment of our new governance frameworks, and regulatory compliance with HMRC demonstrates the professional foundation upon which we’re building our future work.

Perhaps most gratifying has been the response from our members and partners. When we asked for patience and support during our development phase, the sector responded with both financial backing and constructive engagement. 

The launch of our new website represents a tangible expression of our mission. More than a digital presence, it serves as a portal into the fire safety system itself—a place where specialist networks converge, knowledge is shared, and collaboration flourishes. Our Knowledge Hub exemplifies this approach, providing a home for focused expertise while connecting existing professional networks to a wider audience.

Innovation in coordination has defined our progress. The Fire Consultations Network, expertly led by Simon Gibbins, has filled a gap that many didn’t realise existed. For the first time, organisations across the sector can coordinate their responses to national consultations, ensuring both individual voices are heard and collective wisdom is captured. With over 100 participants this network demonstrates the appetite for structured collaboration.

The inaugural National Fire Safety Congress in June exceeded expectations. Bringing together 50 delegates from across fire, building, products, insurance sectors, and regulators, it proved that neutral convening power can unlock frank, solution-oriented dialogue. The feedback was clear: the sector needs a catalyst and coordinator and the Confederation is uniquely positioned to serve that role. The second Congress next Spring promises to build on this momentum.

Looking ahead, our evolution of the Advisory Council into a permanent Fire Futures Thinking Group represents strategic ambition matched with practical necessity. With the Building Safety Act, Grenfell recommendations, technological disruption, climate risks, and demographic shifts all converging, the sector needs systematic foresight. This won’t be consultant-heavy or academic; it will harness the considerable expertise already within our community to produce actionable intelligence through biennial Fire Futures Reports.

Our relationship with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fire and Rescue has deepened, creating valuable alignment between parliamentary oversight and sector expertise. This connection ensures that fire safety knowledge informs the legislative process effectively, while maintaining appropriate governance boundaries.

Regular meetings with MHCLG, OPSS, and the Building Safety Regulator have become established rhythms, building the trust necessary for a system convener. These relationships enable honest dialogue and ensure our members stay informed about regulatory developments.

As we approach 2026, the Fire Sector Confederation has moved beyond establishing itself to demonstrating its value. We’re not replacing regulators or professions—we’re operating in the gaps between them, helping the fire safety system see itself clearly, remember its history, and align its authorities around shared purpose.

The terrible fires in Hong Kong and Murcia remind us why this work matters. The complexity of the socio-technical system and the wicked nature of fire safety demand collaborative, forward-thinking approaches. Together, we’re building the infrastructure to meet those challenges.

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The sponsorship reinforces the Confederation’s commitment to advancing fire safety standards, promoting industry collaboration, and supporting the professional development of fire safety practitioners across the sector.

The BSI Fire Safety Conference 2026 brings together the most influential voices in fire safety, including regulators, standards leaders, and frontline practitioners. The event will address critical topics such as building and residential safety, product compliance and testing, competency frameworks, and the digital “golden thread” of fire safety information.

Steve McGuirk, Executive Director at the Fire Sector Confederation. “The BSI Fire Safety Conference provides an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration across our sector. As we navigate evolving regulations and standards, events like this are essential for ensuring that fire safety professionals have the tools, insights, and connections they need to protect lives and property.”

The conference will feature updates from the Building Safety Regulator, developments in key British Standards including BS 9994 and BS 9996, and insights from the National Fire Chiefs Council, among other leading organisations. 

The Confederation’s sponsorship reflects the organisation’s ongoing dedication to supporting initiatives that advance fire safety knowledge, promote best practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout the built environment sector.

For more information about the BSI Fire Safety Conference 2026 or to register, visit https://pages.bsigroup.com/l/35972/2025-10-15/3t99wkv

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The statement was produced by the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel, which was established in April 2025 following recommendations in the Phase 2 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The Inquiry called for fire engineering to become a regulated profession and for clear standards to be established for practitioners.

Beyond defining core competencies, the Panel examined the broader professional landscape, including education, roles, responsibilities, conduct, experience and skills requirements.

The Panel acknowledged the devastating loss of life at Grenfell Tower and the tragedy’s continuing impact on society as the foundation for its work. Rather than prescribing detailed standards, the statement aims to present a vision for the regulated profession, guide future regulatory bodies and education providers, and encourage the sector to strengthen its competencies and ethics ahead of legal requirements.

Stakeholder engagement revealed broad consensus that the approach is both sensible and urgently needed, though challenging to implement. The Panel recognised that fulfilling the statement’s intent alongside the Inquiry’s wider recommendations will be a long-term undertaking requiring careful phasing.

The government has published a Next Steps document alongside the statement outlining how it plans to implement these changes which is available at: https://bit.ly/3KQh1xe

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