The Fire Protection Association (FPA) has become part of the Certek Group, an international provider of testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) services.
Investment to support growth
The organisation said Certek’s support will enable it to continue developing its fire safety research, training and testing services for clients across the UK.
Certek also confirmed its commitment to supporting the future of the RISCAuthority research programme, which is administered by the FPA on behalf of UK insurers.
The annually funded programme provides research, guidance and best practice to improve resilience and help organisations manage fire and security risks, while continuing to strengthen relationships with insurance partners.
Expanded testing capabilities
As part of the Certek Group, the FPA will work more closely with other businesses within the organisation, including PartB, with which it already collaborates on fire resistance testing.
The organisations said the closer partnership will expand fire testing operations and strengthen laboratory capabilities through increased collaboration across the businesses.
Gavin Dunn, CEO of the Fire Protection Association, said: “This is a transformational moment for the FPA. Our partnership with Certek secures the organisation’s future while preserving everything that makes the FPA unique.
“It provides the investment and scale to accelerate innovation, expand our services, and strengthen our role as the UK’s leading fire safety organisation.
“Most importantly, it enables us to continue delivering independent expertise, research, and professional development that supports a safer built environment for generations to come.
“We have secured our future and protected everything that makes this organisation special by maintaining the independence, integrity, and public benefit role that has always defined the FPA.
“With the ability to create opportunities that simply were not available to us before, I genuinely believe today marks the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for the FPA.”
David Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of Certek, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Fire Protection Association into the Certek family. For over 75 years, the FPA has been the trusted voice of fire safety in the UK, and its reputation for independence, technical excellence, and market-leading research is second to none.
“Our partnership with the FPA will deliver investment into new research and educational projects and also enhanced testing services to better serve client and assessor requirements, all whilst safeguarding the FPA’s vital research into fire safety and the independence, rigour, and commitment to the highest standards that have defined the organisation throughout its history.”
The FPA said it will continue to deliver its fire safety training and technical services from its head office and Training and Education Centre in Oxfordshire, together with its Fire Testing Laboratory in Gloucestershire.
