Current affairs


for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. Through more rigorous implementation and


enforcement, there is a clear opportunity to increase fire safety and reduce false alarms. But there are of course other areas of active and passive fire safety where TPC can reduce risk – this has long applied to manufactured fire safety products. The challenge is no longer in the components, but in the design and installation of systems on site. TPC can help embed standard practices through robust, ongoing sampling and inspection of service providers and installations. TPC infrastructure is ready to deploy for all fire safety disciplines. One of NSI’s particular specialisms here is


BAFE’s suite of fire safety schemes, including fire detection and alarms, fire risk assessment and commercial kitchen fire protection systems; all disciplines that add greatly to fire safety and are broadly supported by insurers. NSI is also currently actively engaged in rolling out BS 8629: 2019: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats.


Legislative opportunities


The fire safety bill being introduced to improve fire safety in buildings in England and Wales offers a number of opportunities to strengthen measures under the FSO. These include clarification of scope, such as the inclusion of a building’s external walls and cladding, balconies and windows, as well as fire doors


for domestic premises of multiple occupancy where they open into common parts. Alongside supplementary actions being


taken to improve building and fire safety – as part of the government’s commitment to implementing recommendations following phase one of the Grenfell Tower inquiry – these are welcome steps forward, but they still fall short of all attainable gains. As the security sector’s experience in successfully tackling false alarms has proved beyond doubt, the implementation of TPC across the fire sector would deliver this. If overseen by the NFCC as part of a similar cross party collaborative approach, it could deliver results beyond products, extending TPC into the important design and installation process.


The time is ripe


As a certification body working in security and fire safety, we are proud of the way TPC has served the police and private sector alarms partnership and has stood the test of time. In fire, TPC remains an area with great potential to help prevent further tragedy. Fifteen years on from the FSO’s introduction, now is the time to take heed of security’s positive experience, and deploy a similar approach founded on the undeniable merits and latent opportunity offered by TPC. As we adjust to COVID-19 and the ‘new normal’, let us refocus on the unresolved needs of fire safety and press on with meeting them


Richard Jenkins is chief executive officer of NSI. For more information, view page 3


FOCUS


www.frmjournal.com JULY/AUGUST 2020


51


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60