Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) News

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to announce a new appointment to its marketing function. Louis Bradley has been appointed to the newly created role of Marketing Executive, to support the wider marketing team in furthering ASFP's reach and its member offering. Louis will be responsible for creating marketing materials for the ASFP, working across their full range of promotion and knowledge channels, including podcasts, videos, and other member resources. He wil...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has launched a new training recognition service to offer an independent third-party evaluation of training courses specific to passive fire protection (PFP). ASFP Recognition ensures that all recognized providers work to the highest standards in both training delivery and passive fire technical input, and that recognized programs provide current and up-to-date skills and knowledge by linking them to the industry-developed competence framewor...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) appointed its new Council at its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Drapers’ Hall, in London, UK, on 11 April, 2024.  The 12-strong Council was appointed following a successful election held in February-March in which 21 nominations were received.   New and elected seats The Association’s Chair and Vice Chair retain their seats for another year, with the remaining 10 places elected for two years. The Council in...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to announce two new appointments. Jo O'Neill has been appointed to the newly created role of Academy Manager and Adam Shipstone joins as the fourth Technical Officer in the Association’s technical and training team.   Jo O’Neill Jo O’Neill will be responsible for the smooth running of the ASFP’s training Academy and further developing Academy services. Tasked with managing all the operational...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it has moved to its new head office in Coventry. The new building provides the ASFP with greater capacity, enabling it to offer even more support and services to its members.  The new premises, which will be opened in two phases, provide office space, as well as housing the new ASFP training academy. It offers a practical training facility, catering facilities, meeting and break-out/rest areas, and ...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it has moved to its new head office in Coventry. The new building provides the ASFP with greater capacity, enabling it to offer even more support and services to its members. The new premises, which will be opened in two phases, provide office space, as well as housing the new ASFP training academy. It offers a practical training facility, catering facilities, meeting and break-out/rest areas, and provides a permanent...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to have been shortlisted for three awards in the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Awards. The Awards recognize, reward, and promote best practices among trade associations in the United Kingdom (UK).   Ignite The Association’s magazine, Ignite, has been shortlisted for Magazine of the Year. Ignite caters to the needs and interests of professionals within the passive fire protection (PFP) indus...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to announce it has expanded its senior team with the appointment of Nadine Saxon as Operations Director. In this newly created role, Nadine will support the continued growth of the Association and ensure the team has the necessary tools and resources to deliver exceptional service to members. She will also have a place on the ASFP Executive Board and attend the ASFP Council. Tasked with managing all the operational, commercial a...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection announced the winners for its 2023 Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Awards on 23 November at the Association’s Awards Dinner at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London. ASFP Managing Director Mike Ward was joined by guest speaker, and comedian Hal Cruttenden, to present the awards to each worthy winner. The winners are:  ASFP Installation of the Year: Coopers Fire for its work in the Great Mosque of Mecca, Mataf Tunnels, installing a series of...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has launched its Competence Framework, a free library of information, which defines activities specific to passive fire protection (PFP) across the building lifecycle, providing a benchmark for competence for all PFP activities. The Competence Framework forms the first step on the ASFP’s Competency Pathway, which aims to support the industry in adopting a unified approach to building, evidencing and promoting competence across the PFP...

CLM is delighted to announce that Tom Gilbert will be joining CLM as the new Group Chief Executive Officer. Responsibilities As well as driving the group's overall vision, Tom will work with the team to develop the existing clients and introduce new ones while also identifying and developing new service offerings.  He will also utilize his extensive network to promote CLM as the UK’s number 1 passive fire protection contractor. Tom Gilbert Tom brings a wealth of experience t...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection has announced the shortlist for its 2023 Passive Fire Protection Awards, with the winners due to be announced on 23 November at the Association’s Awards Dinner at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London. As well as showcasing the award winners, the event will feature a special guest speaker, comedian Hal Crutten.  Each award recognizes excellence within the passive fire protection industry, at the company and individual levels. Shortlisted co...

In the realm of passive fire protection, longevity and commitment to excellence are key indicators of a company's reliability and expertise. innovation, and commitment Nullifire, a renowned manufacturer of passive fire protection solutions, has recently been nominated for the prestigious Long Serving Member Award, 40 Year Gold by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).  With an impressive 40 years as a serving and proud member, Nullifire stands as a true industry pioneer,...

Technical Guidance Document 21 clearly identifies the limited applications when BS EN 16034 can be used in the United Kingdom (UK), but goes on to state that the ASFP also recommends that in these limited occasions, where the use of a CE Marked fire curtain product is mandated, this should still be augmented with certification to BS 8524-1 and BS 8524-2. There is a lot of misinformation being shared in the market about BS 8524 and the CE Marking of fire curtains, principally from resellers of p...

Globally renowned insulation, drywall, and ceiling products distributor - CCF is investing in both its product offering and technical expertise to better support its customers in meeting the new fire safety regulations. The extensive work that CCF has been doing has led to the distributor securing a prestigious nomination at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) Awards 2023 in the ‘highest engagement of the year’ category. CCF’s technical team As well as atte...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has once again expanded its team to enhance and further develop its technical and member services. The ASFP’s Technical & Regulatory Affairs team has been enlarged with the promotion of Dr. Andrew Taylor to Head of Technical and the appointment of Stuart Southall to the Technical Officer role. Roles of Stuart  Stuart has over 18 years of experience in the construction industry as a Technical and Sales Manager. He possesses...

Competency has become a major buzzword within both the fire safety sector and the construction industry, following the tragedy of Grenfell. In her final report of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, Dame Judith Hackitt identified a need for both to work together. In doing so, she said it could, “Improve individual competencies and evidence the professionalism of the sector.” Competency in the fire safety sector Dame Judith Hackitt adds: “There is...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it has been shortlisted in three categories of the Memcom Excellence Awards 2023. The Awards shine a light on organizations that increase the value of their profession and contribute to a better society.  They aim to highlight successful membership organizations, recognizing the creativity and hard work which goes into driving up standards in the membership sector.  ASFP’s YouTube channel ASFPTV,...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced several new dates for its Foundation Course in Passive Fire Protection at both level 2 and level 3. The seven-day classroom-based level 3 courses will take place in Manchester, commencing on 15 August; Reading starting on 17 August; and Dublin on 7 September. The four-day level 2 courses will take place in Coventry from 1 September, and Dublin commencing on 7 September. Revision courses to help learners prepare for the Institut...

Following the expansion of its testing facilities with the addition of two fire resistance test furnaces, in collaboration with global safety science pioneer, UL Solutions, the FPA is now UKAS accredited to perform fire resistance testing. Reaching temperatures in excess of 1000°C, the large scale (4m wide x 3m high) vertical furnace and small scale (1.5 × 1.5m) vertical and horizontal furnace can test to a range of fire resistance standards for numerous product types including: BS...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to fire-stopping, penetration seals, and smoke seals. new Advisory Notes Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into drywall systems. Firestopping products are made to help maintain the performance of a wall where such electrical boxes have been added. A CEN stan...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) appointed a new Chair and Vice Chair at its 2023 Annual General Meeting at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire on the 7 June. Clive Miles of CLM Fireproofing became the Chair, taking over from Chris Miles who stood down following the completion of his two-year term. Sharon McClure of Avesta Scotland was proud to be elected as the ASFP’s first female Vice Chair. Clive's experience Having founded CLM 30 years ago, Clive brings extensive expe...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to fire-stopping, penetration seals, and smoke seals.   Advisory Note (AN) 13 Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into drywall systems. Firestopping products are made to help maintain the performance of a wall where such electrical boxes have been a...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), the trade association for passive fire protection will be showcasing its range of training courses, guidance documents and membership services in the ASFP Passive Fire Protection Pavilion on stand FI1224 at Firex 2023 in London Excel from 16-18 May. The ASFP Passive Fire Protection Pavilion brings together in one location a number of ASFP member companies, representing a cross section of the passive fire protection (PFP) sector. Passive f...

A new best practice guide on through-wall infill steel framed systems (SFS) has been launched, covering the design, specification, and installation of SFS through-wall systems. Published by the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), the purpose of the guide is to assist all persons involved in the SFS delivery chain from design to specification, fire engineers, contractors, site managers, and installers. External sheathing boards The guidance offers a standardized definition of ‘through-w...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to have won the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Skills Development Award for its training offering. The Award, which was presented at an Awards dinner at the Brewery in London on 23 February, recognizes the ASFP’s drive to improve its effectiveness and raise competency levels in passive fire protection. Competency Pathway The ASFP has developed a series of passive fire protection training courses, across mu...

The ASFP is saddened to hear of the passing of the Fire Protection Association (FPA) Managing Director (MD), Jon O’Neill.  Jon was and continues to be one of the original advocates of improving fire safety standards within design, construction, and occupation. ASFP team and members  Jon O’Neill was single-minded in creating an environment that endeavored to lower the frequency of major fire events and associated casualty numbers. He continued to lobby those in positions...

This month sees a change of leadership at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP). Current ASFP CEO - Steve Davies is stepping down to take up a new challenge with Corrosion Resistant Products Ltd, a division of Indutrade. The ASFP’s Business Manager - Mike Ward will be taking over as its new Managing Director. Steve Davies is moving on having led the Association through a period of huge development and growth over the last two years, putting down strong foundations for the...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has updated its generic Online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection, which provides a basic overview of passive fire protection (PFP) and its role in the overall fire strategy of a building. In addition, a new version of the course, Online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection (Installation) has been developed with new content specifically designed to cover the particular needs of passive fire installers. Passive fire protection Deliv...

It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2023, with the theme this year focusing on developing ‘skills for life’ – and at Checkmate, that’s exactly what they want to do. Celebrating the thirst that apprentices adopt to forge a career for themselves, coupled with new regulations supporting the growth of the fire safety industry, Checkmate thinks this area of construction is exactly where new trainees should want to be. Compliance to new Fire Safety (England) Regulations...