Why we need unity in fire safety, by Fire Aware

  Posted by: electime      10th December 2025

By Gavin Skelly, CEO of Fire Aware

The fire safety industry needs to be united in its initiative for the moral and behavioral changes in culture needed to improve standards.

We should consider the moral responsibility required of all concerned in the supply chain from top to bottom, including designers, developers, suppliers, contractors, asset owners, manufacturers, managers and installers and many more. Let’s not forget, keeping the public safe is more than a job. Working in this industry is a vocation and should not be underestimated

To help change the culture of the built environment, Fire Aware has introduced a moral code of conduct via a series of charters designed to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care. The charters are aimed at all members of the supply chain.

We should all be following the new legislation including the new Building Safety Act as a minimum level. However, our standards go beyond legislation and address the issues of best practice. Ultimately, we are all protecting people’s lives.

The buildings we work on and the protection we install in all its different forms offers protection for those who inhabit them. The public has a right to that protection.

For our part, we must commit to safety, and that means being united as duty holders of safety. The Building Safety Act has been introduced for good reason and its intent is to help guide everyone applying fire safety measures to follow a guide and a process which guarantees best practice.

Not unlike many other professions, the fire sector has a wide array of duty holders, but they all share one common requirement – to understand they are there primarily to keep the public safe.

We are appealing to the fire safety industry and those with responsibility for making decisions to think about their moral duty from the outset of any project.

Members of the Fire Aware community are taking a stand. Working together, members can contribute to the wider cause of safety. We are raising standards and saving lives in the process.

We see an opportunity to unite the fire safety industry beyond its traditional silos. Expertise is crucial and the technical guidance provided in specialist fields cannot be underestimated, and bringing a consistent approach to fire protection means a common set of behaviors.

To that end, we have created our own Fire Aware Code of Conduct. Supporting the code, Fire Aware’s series of charters apply to main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, specialist contractors and sub-contractors.

Our own Fire Aware Charter Conditions do not seek to override any legal obligations as specifically imposed by those of sector-specific professions. All members must abide and comply with the law and regulations that are relevant within their specialism.

The charters ask the member business to consider the safety of the end user, and to go above and beyond minimum standards to promote a commitment within the member business to identify itself as a business that cares. It also recognises those outside of the fire sector, who, while holding a duty of care are not specifically part of the fire sector.

We are a community of businesses and organisations taking a stand in the name of moral responsibility. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to join us or seek advice. For more see www.fireaware.org