USING THE FIRE ALARM DATA IN FIRE INVESTIGATION 05-12-2026
Workshop 1 – After the Fire
Workshop Summary
Date: 5 December 2025
Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Workshop Objective
The first workshop in the USHA NHS BIM Building & Fire Safety in the Built Environment series introduced a collaborative forum for universities, healthcare organisations, and industry professionals to discuss the practical implementation of the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act. The session focused on learning from real fire incidents, improving fire safety management in existing buildings, strengthening professional competence, and encouraging greater collaboration across the built environment.
Session 1 – After the Fire: Learning from Real Incidents
Graham Gray opened the workshop by explaining that while much attention is being given to the design of new Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), the majority of the UK's building stock already exists and must also comply with evolving building safety expectations. He stressed that organisations should focus not only on preventing fires but also on learning from every incident, regardless of its apparent severity. Small fires can reveal significant weaknesses in building design, compartmentation, maintenance, and information management if investigated thoroughly.
Using two real student accommodation fire case studies, Graham demonstrated how fires that initially appeared to be successfully contained exposed hidden issues such as inadequate compartmentation, smoke spread through roof voids and service risers, poorly installed fire stopping, defective fire doors, and gaps created during maintenance works. Fire alarm data and incident timelines showed how smoke travelled far beyond the room of origin, highlighting that seemingly minor defects can significantly compromise the intended fire safety strategy of a building. He emphasised that organisations should use fire alarm system data, post-incident investigations, and compartmentation surveys to identify weaknesses before they contribute to more serious incidents.
Collaboration, Competence and Building Safety
A major theme throughout the discussion was the importance of professional competence under the Building Safety Act. Participants agreed that achieving compliance requires collaboration between universities, NHS organisations, fire safety professionals, designers, contractors, and facilities managers. The workshop highlighted the need to break down organisational silos, share knowledge across sectors, and continuously develop competency through training and practical experience. Updates were also provided on the Independent Competence Committee's work to establish guidance on organisational competence, reinforcing that both individuals and organisations must demonstrate appropriate knowledge and capability when managing building safety risks.
Fire Safety Information and Handover
The discussion highlighted continuing concerns regarding the quality of fire safety information provided at project completion. Participants noted that incomplete Regulation 38 documentation, inaccurate as-built records, and poor verification processes often leave building owners without the information needed to safely manage completed buildings. Speakers emphasised that fire safety information should be collected and verified throughout construction rather than waiting until handover, as missing evidence becomes increasingly difficult to recover once projects are complete. Independent inspections, photographic evidence, and continuous verification were identified as essential elements of effective building information management.
Industry Discussion and Future Priorities
The open discussion covered several wider issues affecting the sector, including insurance requirements, remediation of existing buildings, digital building records, Regulation 38 compliance, and the financial challenges universities face in addressing historical defects. Participants agreed that improving compartmentation, maintaining accurate digital records, and strengthening verification processes are essential for reducing long-term building safety risks. The workshop concluded with a survey to identify future topics, demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing across the university, healthcare, and construction sectors.
Key Takeaways
The workshop reinforced that building safety extends far beyond regulatory compliance and the construction of new buildings. Existing buildings require continuous maintenance, competent inspection, effective compartmentation, accurate fire safety information, and thorough post-incident learning to remain safe throughout their operational life. Participants agreed that stronger collaboration between industry, universities, healthcare organisations, and regulators, supported by improved competence and better information management, will be essential to delivering safer buildings and achieving the objectives of the Building Safety Act.