FIRE Conference 2026
About this Event
Designed for professionals across fire safety, engineering, regulation and the wider built environment, the conference provides a focused platform for insight, challenge and collaboration at a critical moment for the sector. This year’s one‑day programme tackles the most pressing issues shaping policy and practice, with headline sessions including “Is the Building Safety Act working?”, “Driving professional reform across the sector”, and “What should Government’s 2027 priorities be?”.
The 2026 programme has been deliberately streamlined, with fewer but longer sessions that allow for deeper exploration of complex topics, meaningful knowledge sharing, extended audience Q&A, and valuable networking opportunities that ensure practical takeaways.
We are delighted to welcome PartB who return as our headline partner for FIRE Conference 2026. An award‑winning team of fire engineering specialists, PartB is widely recognised for its expertise, technical leadership and commitment to advancing fire safety across the built environment.
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities
Partner and exhibitor packages are detailed in our FIRE2026 brochure. Those interested in sponsoring or exhibiting should contact Nick Walker on [email protected] or 07483 066314.
Agenda
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:35 AM
Welcome
🕑: 09:35 AM - 10:05 AM
Opening address
🕑: 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM
Is the Building Safety Act working?
Host: Chair - Dr Gavin Dunn, FPA
Info: This panel discussion will explore whether the Building Safety Act is addressing needs, what is still to come, and what challenges may arise. It will also look at how construction regulations integrate with building regulations, whether UK building regulation is fit for purpose, and how the regulations are working in practice. Followed by Q&A . Richard Clark, Senior Fire Engineer, NFCC plus other speakers TBC
🕑: 11:40 AM - 12:35 PM
Learning from abroad: international insights
Info: Led by the NFCC, this session will explore recent fire incidents from abroad and how we move from national to international learning, with a focus on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong and the Crans-Montana fire in Switzerland. It will also consider firefighting operations in a warzone with a focus on Ukraine.
🕑: 12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Q&A - learning from abroad
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Headline sponsor address
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Driving professional reform across the sector
Host: Chair - Paul Adams, IFE
Info: Panel discussion followed by Q&A. This session will discuss the progress of the professional reform agenda in the last year and the imminent changes for the key roles of fire engineers, fire risk assessors, firefighters, as well as those dealing with construction products and testing.
🕑: 03:35 PM - 04:25 PM
What should Government's 2027 priorities be?
Host: Steve McGuirk, APPG Secretary
Info: This session will consider the role of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fire Safety and Rescue and the fire safety priorities it has identified for Government in the coming year including: sprinklers in schools, data storage centres, construction products, the changing use of buildings, and responding to future needs.
🕑: 04:25 PM - 04:55 PM
Protecting the mental health and wellbeing of fire safety professionals
Host: Reverend Kevin Fear
Info: This session will highlight the serious mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by fire safety workforces and protective measures to support your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues. In the interest of promoting positive mental health and improved workforce culture, the session will cover, lone working, contaminants, PPE, mental health first aid, and employee assistance programmes. Followed by a Q&A.
🕑: 04:55 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing comments
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Drinks Reception
*Draft agenda is subject to change
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 120.00 to GBP 330.00
