Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference

Blue Light Show at London Olympia 18th June 2025

In mid-June, Tower Blocks UK attended the 9th International Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference held at London Olympia, organised by Russ Timpson. This event was part of the larger Blue Light Show, which focuses on emergency services and fire safety, and it brought together professionals from various emergency services across the country. It offered a great platform for networking and engaging with leading experts and stakeholders in the field of fire safety, particularly concerning high-rise buildings.

During the two-day event, we were able to participate in a range of presentations and discussions addressing issues surrounding fire safety in tall buildings. The conference featured a packed agenda that ensured participants gained an understanding of the current landscape of fire safety regulations, challenges, and advancements in firefighting techniques.

One of the most impactful parts of the conference for us was the presentation by Ben Levy, a senior manager at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as he shared his extensive knowledge and experience related to the challenges faced by firefighters during incidents in high-rise environments.

Firefighter Ben Levy presenting at the Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference

Ben's insights were enlightening as he discussed the reality that firefighters are frequently required to attend fires in tall buildings that have failing safety features.

He highlighted critical aspects such as compartmentation failure (a vital safety feature designed to contain fires within individial flats within a building.) He also underscored the importance of being aware of these problems when responding to emergencies, as they significantly affect operational strategies and the safety of both the residents and firefighters. The images he presented of narrow escape stairwells provided a stark visual reminder of the physical limitations that firefighters and residents face when navigating these escape routes during emergencies.

This discussion brought renewed attention to the need for two evacuation stairwells in residential blocks, a topic that we've been pushing at Tower Blocks UK for many years. The lack of adequate means of escape can delay or prevent evacuation during a fire, placing residents, especially those with disabilities, at greater risk, emphasising the need for personal evacuation plans.

The conference provided a great opportunity for networking, allowing us to connect with professionals from various fire and rescue services around the country. Engaging with fire safety experts and professionals helped us to enhance our understanding of current fire safety practices and the regulatory changes that are shaping the high-rise environment in the UK.

Through the conference, various presentations covered essential topics such as smoke toxicity, innovations in fire strategies using artificial intelligence, and the importance of adhering to updated fire safety standards. Discussions revolved around the implications of the Grenfell Tower fire and the ongoing efforts to improve fire safety regulations and engineering practices across the sector.

The conference also underscored the significance of the “Golden Thread” - the importance of maintaining accurate, accessible building safety data. Achieving this is essential for ensuring that everyone involved in the management and operation of tower blocks, from architects to emergency services, have the information they need readily available during an emergency.

The discussions surrounding firefighting tactics in high-rise buildings highlighted urgent considerations for safety improvements and insights shared during the conference reiterated the importance of effective communication between building managers, firefighters, and residents.

We were pleased to be invited to attend this informative event, which empowers us at Tower Blocks UK to continue advocating effectively for safety within tower blocks. As we continue to develop resources and support for residents concerned about their safety, we are reminded of the importance of these discussions and the collaborative efforts needed to ensure safer living environments. Events like these are essential in driving forward the agenda for improved fire safety measures and maintaining a proactive stance in addressing the challenges faced by residents and emergency responders in cases of tower block fires.

We look forward to sharing this knowledge with our community and working to implement positive changes for the safety and well-being of all residents in tower block environments.