During our "Fire Safety Checklist 2025" webinar, Howard Burrows, General Manager at Dorset Fire Protection (part of the Ventro Group), joined us for a focused Q&A session. With deep expertise in fire alarms, suppression systems, and compliance, Howard addressed key topics including legal obligations, fire risk assessment essentials, and how to maintain ongoing compliance. Drawing from his hands-on experience and leadership in active fire protection, he offered clear, practical answers to real-world questions from attendees.
General Manager, Dorset Fire Protection
Howard has served as General Manager at Dorset Fire Protection since January 2024, playing a key role in daily operations and leading the company through its merger with the Ventro Group later that year. This move expanded the company’s ability to deliver comprehensive fire protection solutions across the UK. With in-depth expertise in fire alarms, suppression systems, and compliance, Howard is a strong advocate for regular system maintenance and staff training ensuring organisations remain both safe and compliant with evolving fire safety regulations.
Your fire action strategy will determine this, but usually in this scenario the safety systems are used to prepare the building for the fire brigade. As it is stay put, you will be instructed to leave by the fire brigade.
All EMLs are battery backup with a 4year replacement program.
This is based on 3 considerations where reoccupation is consideration 3. The other 2 are immediate evacuation and time it takes to evacuate. The risk of all 3 will then determine the duration.
All directional signage will be covered by the emergency lighting scheme if designed correctly to the British Standard.
Yes, absolutely, plastic floor stands are fine.
Due to the environmental requirements to dispose of extinguishers, the simplest solution is for the maintenance company to take them away after a service.
The requirement of extinguishers is determined by your FRA, but if they are required, then they will need to be sited in accordance with the British Standard.
The requirement is determined by the FRA and then if required, installed and maintained in accordance with the British Standard.
The simplest solution to document compliance is a logbook, but there are many organisations that use their internal documents to demonstrate compliance. Moving forward, the industry is moving to digital.
Yes, in general, but your FRA/fire action strategy/fire safety policy will take into account individual risk. A block of flats, for example, may only inspect the escape route when performing the weekly call point test. As long as it is documented and agreed.
We work very closely with local fire authorities and as an example, please check link: https://humbersidefire.gov.uk/your-safety/unwanted-fire-signals/call-out-charges
Please get in contact with us and we can take a look at this for you.
We are reaching out to our customers as and when it becomes available. Please let us know if this would be of interest and we can add you to the request list.
Your FRA will determine the requirement for any special requirements. In general, communal staircases are considered low risk.
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We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to each of our key speakers for their insights during the webinar.
Be sure to sign up for updates on our upcoming webinars here, and if you have any questions about the topics covered in this Q&A, feel free to reach out here and one of our specialists will get back to you.