ASFP Scotland Seminar highlights collaborative drive for safer buildings

The ASFP Scotland Seminar brought together leading voices from across the fire safety and construction sectors to explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry. The programme focused on critical themes including fire safety regulation in Scotland, passive fire protection competence, post-Grenfell reform, and construction product standards.

Sharon McClure opened the seminar with a powerful message underscoring the importance of collaboration. She called for joined-up thinking, shared responsibility, and a culture of continuous improvement to raise standards and build safer, more resilient buildings across Scotland and beyond.

The seminar’s first speaker, Tom Parker from Arup, delivered a compelling session addressing the systemic failings exposed by the Grenfell Tower fire. He emphasised the need for a holistic safety framework and urged stakeholders to seize this moment to drive meaningful change throughout the built environment.

Following Parker, Dr. Andrew Taylor (Head of Technical, ASFP) presented ASFP’s robust framework aimed at raising competence across the passive fire protection supply chain. His session covered the full lifecycle — from design and procurement to installation and inspection — advocating for competence as the cornerstone of effective fire protection.

Dominic Way of BB7 offered a fire engineer’s perspective, emphasising how effective risk management, high-quality design, and installer competence must converge to ensure safety, particularly with the increased adoption of modern construction methods.

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Ysella Jago from the Conflict Avoidance Coalition introduced the Conflict Avoidance Pledge (CAP), highlighting the benefits of early intervention in construction disputes. Her session showcased how proactive conflict management can reduce costs, save time, and strengthen relationships within the built environment.

The afternoon began with a strong message from Dr Stephen Garvin and Scott Young of the Scottish Government. They outlined Scotland’s bold and comprehensive response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, emphasising legislative reform, enhanced enforcement, and a commitment to raising compliance and fire safety standards. Their presentation reinforced that accountability, competence, and resident safety are now firmly at the core of the nation’s fire safety strategy.

Dr. Andrew Taylor returned to the stage for an in-depth exploration of the intricate relationship between Construction Products Regulations and Building Regulations. He shed light on the complexities surrounding product standards, CE/UKCA marking, and the shifting regulatory landscape, offering valuable clarity on how these elements affect passive fire protection and overall building safety.

The seminar concluded with a powerful presentation by Gregg McKearney from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He shared insights into the operational realities of fire safety enforcement in Scotland, covering issues such as cladding, compartmentation, evacuation strategies, and the “Golden Thread” of information. His message was clear: proactive enforcement, strong collaboration, and consistent standards are vital to safeguarding both residents and emergency responders.

The ASFP Scotland Seminar underscored a collective commitment to learning, improving, and working together to create a safer, more resilient built environment for all.