Research and experimental fire testing play a critical role in shaping fire safety strategies, improving building resilience, and informing regulatory and insurance practices. Since 2012, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has significantly expanded its research capabilities, delivering a wide range of fire tests, reconstructions, and simulations to address emerging risks and enhance industry standards.
In this webinar, George Edwardes, FPA Technical Director, will present key findings from recent FPA and RISCAuthority research projects, including:
- Fire safety guidance for green and living walls
- Development of an open state cavity barrier test method
- Fire risk assessment for solar panel installations
- Sprinkler protection strategies for mass timber buildings
- Fire safety for external cladding systems
Looking ahead, George will also outline the FPA’s research objectives for 2025, which focus on:
- Enabling the wider use of timber in construction while maintaining fire safety
- Improving fire-safe insulation in new and retrofitted buildings
- Enhancing the fire safety of steel-framed structures
- Developing fire-safe methods for the installation of photovoltaic panels (PVPs)
- Creating a reaction-to-fire database for combustible construction products
- Establishing a fire safety classification system that integrates with Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Join us to gain insights into the latest research and explore how these findings will shape fire safety in the years to come.
Learning objectives
By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the FPA’s recent fire research findings
- Explain how research informs best practice guidance
- Understand some of the emerging fire risks
CPD
This webinar has been awarded 1 hour of CPD from the Fire Protection Association for members who join for the duration.
Presenter
George Edwardes, Technical Director, Fire Protection Association
George joined the FPA in 2014 with experience as a research and development engineer. During his time with the organisation he has held a multitude of roles focused around managing fire tests and providing consultancy, including as Laboratory Manager, Project Manager, and Technical Consultant.
As the FPA’s Technical Director, George is responsible for collaborating with stakeholders, and directing policy development and quality assurance. He is also responsible for the Research Department, overseeing the RISCAuthority Team and the Special Projects Team who conduct bespoke research and fire testing. George holds a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc by Research, focusing on fire safety assessment tests for external cladding systems.