Iain Cox
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Although retired Iain is still active in the fire safety sector, working in various bodies and committees to promote fire safety in general, especially promoting third party certification and the greater use of sprinklers. He is Vice Chair of the National Fire Sprinkler Network and leads the Sprinkler Water Liaison Group.

Iain served in Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for 34 years, appointed Chief Fire Officer in 2003 he was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2009 and retired in 2013. He served as the Chief Fire Officers Association’s Director for Protection and Prevention between 2009 and 2011. Iain is currently the Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance and is a board member of BAFE. Iain holds a BSc from Reading University and an MA in Management from Coventry University.

Articles
Why fire-safety regulations alone fall short: the issue of disposable buildings

Iain Cox, Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, delves into the far-reaching consequences of fire incidents and emphasises the importance of understanding that building regulations only set the minimum standards. Compliance with the current UK Building Regulations does not necessarily…

Articles
Seconds count: are commercial building owners prepared for fire?

Iain Cox, Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance explains why one of the most efficient and effective ways to reduce the impact of fire is by ensuring that when one starts it is quickly extinguished, so that the threat to…

Other building types are not covered by the change to sprinkler requirements. Images supplied by Author / Contributor
Articles
One rule for one, and one for another

A fire that tore through the Cube high-rise student accommodation in 2019 is a stark reminder that our new 11m sprinkler threshold for high-rise residential buildings does not apply to student accommodation. The requirement, which took effect last November, also…

Articles
When a building burns to the ground, is it a regulatory success?

At a time when businesses need to be more sustainable, it may come as a surprise that nearly seven out of ten (69%) businesses are unaware that building regulations in the UK do not adequately prevent and protect against the…

Is this what success should look like?
Special Report
The non-fire triangle: how a return to principles can improve fire safety

The reporting of the proceedings of the Grenfell Inquiry, led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, only reinforces the conclusions reached by Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: fire safety in our buildings is not what it…

On the 11 March 2018, a fire broke out at this BREEAM Very Good warehouse. Construction work had only been completed a matter of months beforehand.Despite being more than 40,000m2 in size the building did not have sprinklers.
Special Report
Are we asking the right questions when it comes to fire risk?

A recent study1 carried out by the Business Sprinkler Alliance confirmed that the uptake of fire safety sprinkler systems is low, with 68% of those interviewed having been involved in a decision not to include an automatic fire-sprinkler system on…

The fire at the un-sprinklered Gardman warehouse resulted in a £20 million loss.
Special Report
Fire safety in the commercial sector

Fire can ruin a business and change things in an instant. According to a recent study carried out by the Business Sprinkler Alliance, only 16% of respondents considered the risk of fire to their business as a significant factor when…