Inter-professional networking event 2018

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A networking event supported by the IFE will take place for professionals from the built and natural environment next month which will also provide an opportunity to take part in a 1-2-1 CV workshop.

The event offers the chance to connect with professionals from nine institutions including architects, engineers, ecologists and landscape architects in an informal setting. The IFE’s London branch is one of the event sponsors which also includes CIBSE, The Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers amongst others. In addition to the networking opportunity, the event will provide 15 minute sessions for peer-reviewing of CVs which are pre-bookable workshops to be confirmed in advance of the event.

To attend, book your place here. The event will take place on 14th August 2018 at 6.30pm at Patch St Paul’s, 58-60 Carter Lane, EC4V 5EA.

Board of Directors nominations are now open

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Nominations of candidates for election to the Board are now invited: full details of how to nominate someone can be found on the IFE website. This year the various forms are available to download as Word documents, for return by email: no signatures are required. The deadline for the receipt of nominations is 12noon BST on 20 August.

There will be two vacancies on the Board.

This year the Nominations Committee has determined that the Board would benefit in particular from the appointment of women; non-white candidates; serving Chief Fire Officers; and candidates with professional qualifications or substantial experience in corporate finance/ accountancy; law; marketing and/or communications. Candidates who satisfy one or more of these criteria, and who are prepared to make a significant commitment to the success of the Institution, are particularly encouraged to put themselves forward for election. But that need not stop others from doing so if they believe they have a strong portfolio of relevant skills and experience.

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Royal Charter Update

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Last month IFE Chair Dr Peter Wilkinson CEng FIFireE wrote of the reasons why the Board had concluded that we should apply for a Royal Charter. His blog generated a huge response, with most of those who responded via the reply button being supportive. However, the question of our name—whether we should become the Institute of Fire or remain the Institution of Fire Engineers—attracted impassioned responses. Neither option is unquestionably right or wrong, in that neither option necessarily serves our purposes in every part of the world, or in our relations with the governments and agencies in the countries where every one of our forty Branches operates.

So, if neither name is universally appropriate, what should we do? One option is to operate with a dual brand, along the following lines:

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Fundamentals of Design and Engineered Solutions course – South Africa branch

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The branch is promoting this five-day course which is aimed at professionals who have the responsibility of examining and reviewing rational fire designs in accordance with the National Building Regulations. The course will take place on 20th-24th August 2018 at Durban Hilton Hotel.

Key course content covers the following:

  • An overview of South African Legislation regarding Rational Design submissions related to Fire Protection of Buildings
  • Responsibility and Expectations relating to Local Authority Plan Examiners
  • Guide to the Design Framework and Fire Safety Engineering Procedures
  • Initiation and development of fire within the enclosure of origin
  • Detection of fire and activation of fire protection systems
  • Human factors:  Life safety strategies – Occupant evacuation, behaviour and condition
  • National Building Regulations
  • BS 9999 – Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings
  • Introduction to BS 7974
  • Overview of BS 7974 published documents and other design approaches

The cost of the course if R 9 500-00 per person and carries 25.5 IFE CPD hours. The course is open to everyone and no IFE or ECSA membership is required to attend. The only prerequisite to attend the course will be to read and write fluently in English. To book onto the course please click here.

Lancashire branch host group lecturette competition

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Last month, five Fire Cadets from Preesall and South Shore took part in the Lancashire IFE Under 18 Lecturette competition at UCLan. Each fire cadet had to present on a fire related topic which included:

Daniel Burke – ‘Uniforms’
Emily Checkley – ‘Firefighting changes throughout the years’
James Rogers-Elliott – ‘Firefighters who have lost their lives fighting fires’
Jack Waller – ‘Fighting fires with engineering’
Emily Gaynor-Smith – ‘Grenfell Tower’

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Members are invited to take part in the latest consultations

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Two new consultations have been uploaded onto the IFE members only area on the MyIFE portal and members are invited to take part.

The first follows the UK Secretary of State’s launch of a consultation on banning the use of combustible materials on the external walls of high-rise residential buildings. We are inviting members to take part in this consultation before the IFE compiles an official response. All responses need to be submitted by 3rd August 2018.

The second concerns the Smoke Control Association who have issued a third edition of its Guidance for Smoke Control in Common Escape Routes in Apartment Buildings. Members are invited to comment on the draft by using a commenting template available for download. All comments must be sent ahead of the deadline of 24th July 2018.

Members can view the consultations and take part by logging into their MyIFE portal and visiting the Fire Research Report and Consultations page.

IFE supports Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service interactive performance

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A unique theatre performance presented by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, which delivered safety messages to people, received a standing ovation when it was performed.

“Safer Together” was the result of collaboration between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Manchester Camerata orchestra and was supported by the IFE.

The link up has seen the Cheshire Fire’s prevention department work with a composer, theatre maker and musicians from Manchester Camerata to highlight key water, home, rural and anti-social safety issues from an inter-generational perspective.

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