As the fire protection sector continues to adapt to tougher regulation, greater scrutiny around competency and growing demand for specialist expertise, technology is also changing how building safety is managed. We caught up with Mark Bridgens, UK Sales Manager at Everlux, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, the importance of fire risk assessments, the growing role of BIM and the ‘golden thread’…
Tell us about your company, products and services.
Everlux are manufacturers and developers of high-performance photoluminescent fire safety signage and evacuation systems as well as offering comprehensive safety signage site services including turnkey survey and installation projects.
What have been the biggest challenges the Fire Protection industry has faced over the past 12 months?
The drive for compliance and demonstrable competency following the Grenfell tragedy has seen an extremely high demand for fire safety services and professionals. Recruiting, training and retaining the correct type of candidates to the industry has brought huge challenges.
And what have been the biggest opportunities?
As mentioned above, the Grenfell tragedy has brought a huge amount of much needed changes to the fire safety industry through the introduction of new/amended legislation and standards. This is has had the impact of greater diligence and application of fire safety responsibilities within all sectors. This has naturally meant that there is a hugely increased demand for the fire safety sector.
What is the biggest priority for the Fire Protection industry this year?
Fire Risks Assessments I guess because, frankly, that is where most fire safety requirements for a particular business or organisation are defined. As a Fire Risk Assessment requires the “Responsible Person” to act accordingly under law most enquiries for fire safety services, including fire safety signage and escape route provision, are generated from this process and associated documentation.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market this year?
Further additions and amendments to legislation and British Standards following the recommendations of the Hackitt enquiry. There have already been many introduced or updated including the Fire Safety Act, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations, The Building Regulations and Approved documents and a host of British Standards but as these processes take time there are more expected.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this coming year?
In my opinion Building Information Modelling (BIM) is going to increasingly be relevant and obligatory for many aspects of a building’s fire safety management. In her post Grenfell report “Building a Safer Future” Dame Judith Hackitt defined the need for a “golden thread” for buildings that provide a digital audit trail of vital safety information that preserves a its design intent and tracks changes throughout its entire lifecycle. BIM systems are purpose built and perfect to facilitate this and Everlux are currently developing a BIM compatible tool which will allow for the insertion of fully compliant fire safety signage and Low Location Lighting (LLL) escape route system elements as part of the overall fire safety recording which we are anticipating will be available next year.
Next year we’ll all be talking about…?
Hopefully, ongoing and continued developments in fire safety and not something horrible involving a lethal fire and an avoidable tragic loss of life.
Which person in, or associated with, the Fire Protection industry would you most like to meet?
Easy, Dame Judith Hackitt! In general, the consensus of opinion within the UK fire safety sector was that she led a very, thorough, fair and, importantly for the victims, their families and the first responders involved … compassionate enquiry. It was brave, stark, comprehensive and has undoubtedly heralded a new dawn for fire safety in the UK. Things are not perfect, but the changes are palpable and can only be positive. I would like to meet with her to try and understand how it impacted on her personally and how she feels where we are with fire safety nearly 10 years after Grenfell.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Fire Protection sector?
That there are still unqualified “engineers” and “Fire Risk Assessors” still managing to operate within the sector. Their position within the industry is becoming increasingly untenable but it does still shock me that they are still able to work within the industry and that their consciences allow them to do so!
You go to the bar at the Total Security Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?
A nice pint of traditional bitter, not an IPA. I am always partial to a nice pint of Doom Bar or Wainwright’s.
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
Travelling and meeting people… it’s probably a bit of a cliché but for me , working in the same location be it an office, warehouse etc. would not appeal. Being able to travel throughout the Uk visiting clients and other fire safety colleagues is extremely rewarding.
And what’s the most challenging?
Honestly, keeping all the plates spinning and ensuring that our distributors are informed, supported and happy with our products and services… but it’s the right kind of challenge to have to face.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Yes dear!!”… this sage piece of advice was offered to me the evening before our wedding as the key to a happy marriage by my late father-in-law (after a few whiskeys!). The key to it’s force is in the intonation of the delivery according to the specific question or situation, but after 26 years of marriage and still going strong I have started to appreciate it’s undoubted worth!
Succession or Stranger Things?
I suppose I should say Stranger Things as I watched the first four seasons with my kids, but by the time the 5th season came along we all kind of lost interest and didn’t see it through. I have never seen Succession.
