2014

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) was established as a not for profit trade association with the principal objective of the promotion, improvement and perfecting the methods, devices, services and apparatus for the protection from fire of life, property, business continuity and the environment.

Our aims are to achieve this through the representation of our members, providing technical support, guidance and a professional platform to bring industry representatives together in a forum that complies with applicable regulation.

As a major supplier of training courses, the promotion of professional standards for the fire industry continues to evolve with the future learning and training needs of our members being constantly reviewed and improved. We also aim to provide funding for research projects in line with our principal objectives.

The FIA continues to go from strength to strength!Over the past year the FIA has continued to work hard to support its members and to increase the level of professionalism in the fire industry.

Because central government has a ‘hands-off’ approach, it falls to industry bodies such as the FIA to carry out much of the work in the fire sector. This includes the necessary training for people in the industry, as well as on-going initiatives to consider qualifications for those parts of the business where they are currently lacking. This work is underpinned by the European Services Directive.

The FIA will speak out when necessary and our strong stance on the use of the fire service brand by ‘arms-length companies’ has come as a surprise to some parts of Westminster and the UK’s fire fraternity.

Having tried unsuccessfully for several years with both government and representative bodies to resolve the brand issue, the FIA was left with few remedies to the problem. Now the FIA has filed a State Aid Complaint with the European Commission. It has been forwarded to the EU member state authorities for comment.

It is encouraging to see that the market seems to be on the up. In our most recent Market Conditions Review, almost two-thirds of FIA member companies reported that they had seen an increase in work enquiries in the previous six months.

Hard work, expertise and strength of resolve are key to a successful trade association and it is this successful combination that means that the FIA continues to go from strength to strength!

Martin Harvey Graham Ellicott Chairman Chief Executive Officer

1. Membership snapshotWith membership of the FIA growing consistently over the past 12 months, we look forward to another year of growth.

64620142013592

Growth

PUBLICATIONSSHAPE

STANDARDS

FORMULATEINDUSTRY

BESTPRACTICE

Top 5 membership benefits

INFLUENCELEGISLATION

TRAININGCOURSES

Leavers and joiners106companies

joined

52 left because theydidn’t meet 3rd party certificationrequirements, or through mergers and acquisitions

Member Satisfaction with the FIA

2014

97.5%2013

94.5%

Regions by numbers

12.4%

11.1%

10.1%

9.7%

5.8%

5.5%

4.4%

4.2%

1.8%

0.7%34.3%OVERSEAS

2. The most comprehensive technical fire safety trainingThe key aspects of technical fire training are covered through the FIA’s suite of 18 training courses delivered on more than 250 training dates a year.

Since the inception of the training courses over 30,000 delegates have benefitted from courses that range from basic fire detection design to detailed education for specific issues.

Our courses cover FD&A, portable fire extinguisher maintenance, fire risk assessment and more.

www.fia.uk.com/en/training

3700DELEGATES TRAINED

2013/14

UP300COMPARED

WITHPREVIOUS

YEAR

51MORE COURSESTHAN 2013

CLASSROOMS AVERAGE

85% full

COURSE PASS RATE

Unit 1 90%

Units 2 & 3 94%

Unit 4 95%

Unit 5 95%

Unit 6 97%

Unit 7 96%

Unit 9 92%

Unit 11 98%

Combined 1,5 & 4 99%

Electrical Competency 75%

ICEL Emergency Lighting 89%

F-Gas 97%

Intro to Fire in Buildings 80%

Portables 95%

Portables Refresher 98%

UNIT 1 Fire Detection Design

UNITS 2 & 3 Advanced Detection & Alarm Design

UNIT 4 Installation

UNIT 5 Fire Alarm Installation

UNIT 6 Advanced Commissioning

UNIT 7 Fire Extinguishing Systems & Associated Electrical and Building Interfaces

UNIT 9 Fire Risk Assessment: responsibilities and procedures

UNIT 11 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Dwellings, BS 5839-6

CLASSROOMS AVERAGE

85% full

NEW COURSES: 2014 Emergency Lighting Advanced Maintenance

2015 Fire Risk Assessor Training

3. Technically speaking

STANDARDS COMMITTEES 50INPUT TO MORE THAN 50 BS, EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

FIA PUBLICATIONS

GUIDES, CODES + FACT FILES PUBLISHED20

CONTINUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

50CPD DAYS, ATTRACTING AUDIENCES OF AROUND 50 DELEGATES PER EVENT6

Members v non-members

FIRE

BREAK GLASS

PRESS HERE

Fire Detectionand Alarm Systems

60%

Portables

12%Fixed

extinguishing

technicalqueriesa month

The team receive anaverage of more than

50

50/50

9%

Active work items for the Extinguishing, Services and FD&A Councils

Extinguishing Manufacturers’ Technical Committee• Infographic: Portables user guidance • Input to CEN/TC70/WG5 EN 3 • Input to FSH/2 Fire Extinguishers • Survey: Extinguisher use

WG Foam• Fact File 61 Class A/Wetting agents • Guidance: Firefighting at biomass facilities • Guidance: ECO foams • Update Fact File 3: foam and the environment • Input to CEN/TC 191/WG2 foam systems • Input to ISO/TC21/SC6 foam systems

WG Gases• Guidance on F-Gas Regulation • Guidance on container handling • Input to CEN/TC191/WG6 Gas systems • Input to ISO/TC21/SC8 Gas systems

Non-automatic Fixed Fire Fighting Systems• Hose reel servicing training course • Input to FSH/14/-/5 revisions of BS9990

FIA/BAFSA Watermist group• Guidance: Atria/high ceilings • Input to CEN/TC191/WG6 TG3 watermist • Input to BS 8458 and BS 8489

Portable Servicing Committee• Guidance: Business without premises - open air events and farms • Revision of CFOA/FIA Protocol on fire extinguishers

WG Testing Validation and Measurement • Guidance: Extinguishing container level guide • Testing of FD&A Visual devices • Testing of FD&A Audible devices • Testing of multisensors

Installers and Maintenance Section • Fact File 60: Maintenance of domestic detectors • Detectors for use in BS 6266 applications

• Infographic: Maintenance tasks for fire systems • Guidance: Changes to BS 5839-1 & BS 5839-6 • Guidance: Procuring fire alarm systems • Guidance: Manufacturers’ training

FDWG 02 Communications• Guidance: IP connectivity and remote servicing • Guidance: Routing connections to an ARC

• Review EN 54-21 • Guidance: Next generation networks

FDWG 03 Fire Alarm Detectors• Guidance: EN 54-27 and FIA CoP • Fact File: Beam detectors • Guidance: Fire detection in data processing centres • Code of Practice: VFD systems

FDWG 05 CIE• Guidance: EN 54-2 OWR, ref BS 5839-1, 11.2 k) • Guidance: The application of surge arrestors • Guidance: The revision of EN 54-13 • Guidance: The revision of EN 54-2

FDWG 24 Radio linked devices• Feedback into FIA training on wireless systems • Guidance: New SRD frequencies allocated by ETSI • Guidance: R&TT test requirements in EN 303131 • Guidance: The revision of EN 54-25

FDWG 27 Alarm devices• Guidance: EN 54-23 VAD that are battery powered • Revision of joint FIA BRE CoP on VAD • Guidance: Revision of EN 54-3 • Guidance: Installation of tactile vibrating devices • Support review of BS 7273-4

FDWG SAD Smoke alarm devices• Guidance: The revision of BS 5446-3 • Guidance: The revision of EN 14604

Construction Products Regulations• Review of FIA CPR Guidelines

Fire Risk Assessment MembershipThe Fire Risk Assessment Council has been a leading contributor in the establishment of Third Party Certification for fire risk assessment (FRA) companies. The Council set a target for FIA FRA members to be certificated within two years at the point when at least two certification bodies were ready to offer a UKAS accredited third party certification scheme. That two year deadline ended in October 2014 and those members who have not achieved certification have been removed from the FRA register.

4. FIRESA bedding inSince the the Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association (FIRESA) became part of the FIA in April 2013, work has continued on behalf of the fire and rescue industry.

With significant changes taking place to our Fire and Rescue Services, the supply sector must play a pro-active role and FIRESA Council does so as a strong and concerted voice that acts as a key influencer in the decisions that affect the industry.

Sponsors of…• Excellence in Fire and

Emergency Awards 2014• Drinks reception at

Emergency Services Show 2014

Current key initiatives

Memorandum of Understandingwith Chief Fire Officers Association

See us at…• International Firex • Emergency Services Show• Fire Fleet and Equipment Show

Collaborativeprocurement

Innovativeproducts

Nationalequipment testing

5. The importance of complianceFIA members are required to either be Third Party Certificated, or working towards it, but we appreciate that this is not always easy or straightforward for companies to undertake (that is why being a member of the FIA sets you apart from other organisations).

If you are looking at becoming a member, but are struggling with Third Party Certification, our Compliancy Consultancy Services and Route to Certification Schemes can help. We can also help with ISO 9001 requirements for quality management systems and environmental requirements, including ISO 14001.

Why not contact us to see how we can help you become our next FIA member?

View our compliance section

NEW COMPANIESSIGNED UP FOR

COMPLIANCE HELP

7

13 were not able to renew

membership because theywere unable to meet requirements

MEMBERSIN 2013/14

33MEMBERSIN 2012/13

FIRST PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY PASSED

ISO9001/BAFE SP101ASSESSMENT

WITH ASSISTANCE OF FIACOMPLIANCE MANAGER

6. Convincing overseas markets to specify UK products, services and standardsThe 60 members of the FIA Export Council provide all types of fire safety products and services. In fact, our membership has grown from 23 members to 60 in the last five years, an over two and a half fold increase over that time.

Many are manufacturers and distributors from the active fire protection and firefighting supply sectors. Others include standards and certification bodies.

The Export Council acts as a concerted body for UK-based fire industry companies to realise the advantages of working together as a co-ordinated industry, sharing information and collectively educating global markets on the benefits of using UK products, services and standards.

£50M INPASSIVEPROTECTIONS £150m

IN FIRE FIGHTING

EQUIPMENT

£300mUK COMPANIES EXPORT

IN ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCTS

90% SELL TO

WESTERNEUROPE

80% SELL TO

AFRICA

ASIA

MIDDLEEAST

EASTERNEUROPE

23/

OF MEMBERS EXPORT AT LEAST A THIRD OF THEIR

PRODUCTS OVERSEAS

60%

OF MEMBERS EXPORT AT LEAST A THIRD OF THEIR

PRODUCTS OVERSEAS

60%

YEARS

1

2

34

5 67

8

9

10

9 10OUTOF

established

YEARS

1

2

34

5 67

8

9

10

60%exporting for at least

ACTIVE FIREPROTECTION PASSIVE

PRODUCTS

OFFER

OFFER

FIRE-FIGHTINGPRODUCTS

OFFER

ACTIVE FIREPROTECTION PASSIVE

PRODUCTS

OFFER

OFFER

FIRE-FIGHTINGPRODUCTS

OFFER

7. Marketing - developing relevant and timely contentThe aim of marketing used to be to distribute a marketing message to the masses. These days it is about reaching out to, engaging with and listening to customers; providing the information they want, when they want it. Finding the balance between not over- or under-communicating.

Which is why we have spent the last year focusing on ensuring our ‘content’ is interesting, relevant, engaging and available in the formats you want it in. The move is from print to digital as the figures show.

Unique website visitors

2011 83,749 2012 96,596 (+15% yr on yr)

2013 118,575 (+23% yr on yr)

2014 Forecast 123,000+ (+4% yr on yr)

New websitecomingJanuary

2015

Customers reached through PR

20116,725,824

201226,146,572(+389% yr on yr)

(Unusual vol ofradio/TV activity)

20134,059,368(-85% yr on yr)

20141,492,308 YTDforecast is 1,700,000

(-58% yr on yr)

Customers movingaway from printmedia to digital

Change innews

processes in2013 caused

drop butnow onthe UP

Web news items read

201234,961

201332,668

(-7% yr on yr)

201426,445 YTD42,500 forecast

(+30% yr on yr)

FIA email click throughs to website

20126,144 2013

15,488(+252% yr on yr) 2014

16,479(+6% yr on yr)

8. Engineering the futureThe Fire Engineering Council was formally introduced at the 2013 AGM and whilst recruiting new members into this section remains high on the priority list there has been two projects worthy of note. The first helps to educate and improve the market conditions and the second takes on a major issue which was being ignored and would be too delicate for an individual company to tackle;

• Fire Engineering - Scope of Services. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) publish a series of scopes of services which are for use on major building projects. They help define the stages of the construction project and help identify who does what. Fire Engineering is often overlooked and therefore by developing a specific scope of services for fire engineering the idea is that these will be adopted and help educate the construction industry to understand when and where (and what) fire engineers can be used (for). The draft

document is complete and we are now engaging with CIC to see if they will adopt them.

• The Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010 (regulation 9) spells out the requirements for ‘independence of approved inspectors’, however, we have found examples in the market where Approved Inspectors are offering design consultancy and inspection as a one stop shop via various methods. The Council believe this is not what was intended and have sought clarification and better guidance on what is and is not allowed. Our well-structured case has been taken to DCLG via CIC and we hope to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve this issue.

www.fia.uk.com