FPA research update 2025-26

2025 research

Among the most significant research completed in 2025 was the culmination of a four year programme examining sprinkler protection in mass timber buildings. As engineered timber systems are increasingly adopted as part of modern methods of construction, they bring environmental benefits and construction efficiencies, but also introduce fire behaviours that are not adequately addressed by existing sprinkler design rules.

Traditional sprinkler standards assume non combustible ceilings. They are not designed to control fires involving combustible structural elements overhead, nor to account for the progressive weakening of timber fixings during fire exposure. This creates potential failure modes where pipework or ceiling mounted fixtures could detach and fall while a fire is ongoing. A risk highlighted starkly by incidents such as the Shirley Towers fire in 2010.

Our research explored how fixing strength reduces during fire exposure, how different fixing types perform, and how sprinkler wetting patterns can be optimised to achieve effective ceiling and wall coverage in mass timber buildings. The work provides an evidence base that directly addresses known gaps in current sprinkler rules.

The research has been nominated for an industry award, and this significant contribution to fire science has also formed the basis of a PhD by its lead author, Dale Kinnersley. This research will be incorporated into the LPC Sprinkler Rules (available from the FPA website) and hopefully inform fixing guidance, not just for sprinklers, but for any fixings into timber ceilings.   

During 2025, we also delivered a wide range of practical guidance and tools supporting passive fire protection, risk control, business continuity, and security. These included:

• Passive Fire Protection: BDM30 – Elements of construction
• Risk control: RC69 (Wind Turbines), RC70 (Switchgear and Transformers)
• Business continuity: Business Continuity Template (free online); What Does Good Look Like in Business Continuity Management; and a comprehensive guide to running BCM tabletop scenario exercises
• Security: Electronic Call Handling Operations (ECHO), Supply Chain Resilience, and Alarm Transmission Systems guidance

Tomorrow’s risks

Recognising that not all risks are evident from past losses, we established an Emerging Risks Working Group in 2025. The group’s focus is on identifying risks that have not previously been recognised, familiar risks appearing in unfamiliar contexts, rapidly evolving hazards, and novel combinations of risk factors.

The intent is to look beyond immediate regulatory horizons toward threats with the potential to generate significant insured losses over a 10-year timeframe. This forward looking approach reflects the need for research that anticipates change, rather than simply responding to events after they occur.

2026 research

RISCAuthority’s research programme for 2026 continues to focus on familiar risks in changing environments, with a strong emphasis on fire protection systems, emerging technologies, and complex building forms. Notable projects include:

• relaunch of the Fire and Flood database. This is a database of significant fire and flood insurance losses, which is used to form future research and guidance. Previously known as the Large Loss Database, it has been revamped to track modern risk factors and enable automatic data exchange
• the much anticipated update to RC62. This is our guidance for installing solar panels on roofs. It is being updated to reflect technological changes and incorporate feedback from a wide range of industry partners.
• PAS 9980 for Property protection. This is intended as a supplement to PAS 9980, to raise awareness of property protection risk factors and enable assessors to consider them during their appraisals. PAS 9980 is a fire risk appraisal methodology for external walls.

Additional priorities include lithium-ion battery fire hazards in residential settings, photovoltaic panel guidance, moisture management in timber construction, damage assessment and repair of mass timber, and further sprinkler research covering obstruction, system performance, and firefighter safety. Digital tools and databases will continue to be developed to support evidence-based decision-making.

Summary

Across all of these activities, a consistent theme emerges: the need for robust, independent evidence to support safer buildings and reduce loss. Whether informing national standards, guiding designers and insurers, or identifying emerging hazards before they result in incidents, research remains central to RISCAuthority and the FPA’s contribution to fire safety.

As construction methods evolve and risks become more complex, translating research into practical guidance and real-world application is critical. The FPA’s 2026 research programme reflects that challenge, combining detailed technical investigation with a clear focus on impact, relevance, and the protection of life and property.