2013 represents the show’s biggest ever edition
FIREX International, one of the world’s largest dedicated fire safety events, is returning to the Birmingham NEC in May with its strongest ever proposition for 2013 as it becomes an annual event.
With more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovative, cost-effective products and services, over 14,000 key decision makers and qualified fire protection professionals will visit from over 70 countries across the globe. With a focus on the latest thought-leadership to discuss and determine the past, present and future of fire safety, the FIREX International educational offering will be driven by live, industry driven, issues.
Key to the exclusive programme of insight is the first look at the Lakanal house incident, with input from the Fire Sector Federation. This briefing will discuss the recently published inquest into the Lakanal house fire in London in 2009, highlighting the key areas of non-compliance, oversight and operational confusion. This session will assess the outcomes of the inquest and the implications the recommendation will have on future fire safety measures, in a highly anticipate panel discussion.
The FIREX Academy will be the epicentre of education at FIREX International 2013. Sponsored by Hochiki Europe and in association with the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the Academy will offer insightful knowledge from key industry figures and hold topical debates based on the entire safety system in a building. Focusing on how the end user should approach the interaction between active and passive fire protection systems, it will be stressed that each area holds equal importance. Seminar topics have now been confirmed, with contributions from a wide range of respected industry players.
With a firm emphasis on promoting expertise and guidance, the FIA is a major contributor with highlight seminars including ‘Fire & Rescue Service Limited: Charging And Trading’. In this session, Graham Ellicott, CEO, FIA will discuss how the UK fire service is looking to provide commercial services and the impact this will have on the fire sector in general. Martin Duggan, General Manager, FIA will also provide an update on the launch of the Competency Council Document and discuss the upcoming national guidelines for acceptable criteria for fire risk assessors with the aim of raising levels of competency.
Simon Ince, Manager of Personnel Certification Schemes, Warrington Certification will lead the seminar ‘Happy With Your Fire Risk Assessor? Choose wisely…’ Providing insight into the heavy fines enforced by courts to organisations that fail to implement the correct fire safety precautions in buildings, Simon will provide advice on the important elements that need to be taken into consideration when selecting a competent fire safety professional.
Wilf Butcher, CEO of the Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) will turn attention to the inherent dangers of aesthetic cladding and curtain walling systems when used in modern methods of construction. The seminar ‘Great Looking But Deadly!’ will take a detailed look at recent events such as the high rise Tamweel Tower in Dubai, which suffered a large-scale fire in November 2012.
Hosting a topical discussion on the conflicts between fire safety requirements and sustainability during ‘When It’s Risky To Be Green’, Wilf will also take an objective look at when fire safety will need to take precedent over sustainability where essential building materials and practices are concerned.
A major panel discussion and presentation on holistic approaches to fire safety will see contributions from major stakeholders such as the FIA, FPA, ASFP, LPCB and Warrington Certification. ‘Fire United: A Holistic Approach To Fire Safety’ will provide an understanding of how well installed, third party approved active and passive fire safety systems work in harmony – providing the maximum level of protection.
During the ‘Fire Risk Assessors: An Endangered Species’ seminar, fire safety solicitor Warren Spencer from Blackhurst Budd Solicitors will present a highly valuable legal take on the current position of fire risk assessors. Simon Adams, Business Manager, Gent by Honeywell, also joins the programme, presenting findings on the ever-critical issue of false alarms and their impact using in depth analysis from recent case studies.
Warrington Certification will be hosting another seminar around the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). ‘The Clock’s Ticking for CPR…’ will detail the effects felt by manufacturers, distributors, end users, specifiers and architects when the CPR is enforced on July 1st 2013. Paul Duggan, Certification Manager, Exova Warrington Fire will provide guidance on the steps to take as this becomes one of the priorities to make all products traceable back to the person placing them legally on the market.
201¬3 FIREX International features:
New for 2013: The Intelligent Buildings Seminar Theatre
Situated in the dedicated Intelligent Buildings area (a combined fire and security solutions area for both FIREX and IFSEC International) the Intelligent Buildings Seminar Theatre, centred on holistic solutions and the common area of systems integration and convergence, will create opportunities for inter-operability and information sharing between fire, security, IT, data and building management systems.
New for 2013: Fike TechZone
Fike have created a unique experience for its customers at FIREX International this year. The Fike Tech Zone is presenting new, innovative, products from its Fire Suppression and Fire Alarm businesses. From the latest video technology combined with actual working equipment, visitors to the TechZone will experience a near ‘real life’ demonstration of Fike products in action in the protection of life and critical assets.
The Fike TechZone will also be surrounded by a number of Fike distributors presenting their individual expertise and services.
FPA infozone
The FPA infozone is an educationally led feature with its own seminar area. The FPA infozone will focus on a number of end user and installer targeted subjects such as risk assessments, false alarm reduction, sustainability versus fire safety, legislation and compliance.
ASFP Pavilion
Comprised of a networking stand for the ASFP (Association of Specialist Fire Protection) and surrounded by exhibiting members, this association led feature will focus on passive fire protection where the central focus will be a ‘meet the expert’ resource.
LPCB Red Book Pavilion
The Red Book Pavilion is a platform for the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) to highlight and promote the importance of third party approvals for fire safety systems and products. The LPCB will host a number of presentations on their stand with an additional ‘meet the industry experts’ focus in the form of an advice clinic.
FIREX International will take place at Birmingham NEC, UK, from 13-16 May 2013. Providing an even greater overall offering, this ultimate international fire prevention and protection event, will include a new layout creating a seamless transition between FIREX International, IFSEC International and the Facilities Show, as part of the Protection and Management Series. Meet like-minded decision makers from across the security, safety and health and facilities management industries at the co-located events; IFSEC International (www.ifsec.co.uk), Facilities Show (www.facilitiesshow.com) and Safety & Health Expo (www.safety-health-expo.co.uk).
For further information on FIREX International, Protection & Management Week, or to register for free entry into the 2013 event and its neighbouring shows, please visit www.firex.co.uk/IFP.
Companies interested in exhibiting at FIREX International should contact James Nash, Account Manager, on +44 (0)20 7921 8342 or email james.nash@ubm.com or Gerry Dunphy, Sales Director, on +44 (0)20 7921 8063 or email gerry.dunphy@ubm.com.
www.firex.co.uk
