Tom Roche, Secretary at the Business Sprinkler Alliance Sustainability reporting across major infrastructure has become increasingly sophisticated. Airports and transport hubs now measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3, publish reduction targets and track year-on-year progress.…
When buildings can’t do what they are meant to do
The image that’s stayed with me this week isn’t smoke pouring from a burning warehouse or the skeletal remains of a logistics hub after a major fire. Instead, it’s a photograph of a brand-new, multi-storey industrial building that looks at…
When a Fire Breaks Out, Who Really Knows The System?
The story that caught my attention recently wasn’t about fire growth or building loss; it was about confusion. Specifically, the confusion faced by the fire service when arriving at buildings equipped with a range of fire protection systems. In more…
Is This What Regulatory Success Looks Like?
Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance Oddly, the image I’m looking at this week isn’t the burnt out hulk of an industrial or commercial building such as the Cannock warehouse fire from May 2024. It’s a photo from…
The LGA Conference, A Car Park And Resilience
Last month, I attended the Local Government Association (LGA) Conference in Liverpool on behalf of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. Whilst I should be reflecting on the conference and discussions with differing councillors and consultants about housing or urban policy, my…
Middleton Blaze Highlights Ongoing Risk In Self-Storage Sector
A massive overnight fire at a two-storey, unsprinklered self-storage warehouse and rental office complex in Manchester required dozens of firefighters to tackle and contain the blaze. This incident adds to a growing list of unprotected self-storage facilities that have been…
Fenix Recycling Site Engulfed Again Amid Growing Battery Waste Fears
Exactly one year after a devastating fire tore through the Fenix Battery Recycling Plant in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, the site has once again been consumed by explosions and flames. This second destructive blaze underscores the growing awareness of the risks…
Rebuilding Schools: Time To Think Again About The Value Of Fire Protection
Thomas Roche, Secretary of Business Sprinkler Alliance In October, the government announced its continued commitment to the future of education, unveiling plans to rebuild another 114 schools across the country1. This investment presents an invaluable opportunity to ensure that our…
BSA welcome updates to new care home safety but calls for further action
By Iain Cox, Chair of Business Sprinkler Alliance The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) has welcomed the recent announcements in England and Northern Ireland regarding updates to Building Regulations Approved Document B and Technical Booklet E, which now guides the installation of sprinkler systems…
The Grenfell Legacy: Why We Need To Rethink Fire Safety Across The Built Environment
As many 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 and highlighted in the report are not…