Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future Report (2018)  highlighted the urgent need for the construction industry to demonstrate a more well-rounded commitment to competency. Four years later, the Building Safety Act ensured this was embedded into the future of the industry by introducing a new regulatory regime. This requires those involved in the design, construction and refurbishment of all types of buildings to have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours to deliver safe and compliant building projects.  

Passive fire protection is a highly complex yet crucial area of every building— from high-rise skyscrapers to low-rise school buildings. As experts in our products and their application, we consider it our responsibility to share this expertise with the wider industry— complementing specialist professional qualifications in the subject with our product-specific knowledge and experience.  

In 2024, we made significant growth in both our external and internal training commitments: 

Over the past few years, we have invested considerably in updating and refining our passive fire protection product training — ensuring that it goes beyond basic cavity fire barrier and firestop product information. Our training provides detail on context and best practice approaches, allowing professionals across the industry to really dive deep into this life-safety critical area of the building envelope. 

In 2024, we trained 311 individuals outside of our organisation in a wide range of roles — from fire engineers to contractors.   

In May 2024, we became the first company to become an ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection) Recognised Training Provider. This independent verification ensures training developed and delivered by Siderise is technically accurate, professionally presented and relevant, whilst helping stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and improve their competence in passive fire protection within the building envelope. Our courses can be used within the ASFP Competency Pathway, leading to the ASFP Pass Mark. 

We have also received some glowing feedback attendees about the quality of our courses alongside the content delivery method, which really highlights the practical value of our training. For instance, one Fire Engineer stated “The insights and practical knowledge gained from this experience have enhanced my ability to conduct thorough risk assessment[s] during external wall surveys. I highly recommend this training to all fire engineers and fire risk assessors, as it is instrumental in advancing our professional capabilities.” Another attendee, a Construction Manager,  said that the knowledge she acquired enabled her to confidently challenge, explain and resolve an issue raised by an insurer on a project, whilst previously she would have had to refer back to Siderise and wait for a technical response.  

Of course, for manufacturers to be a valid resource, it is vital that the industry feels confident in their skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours. Additionally, in the UK, competency is a major part of the Building Safety Act and, whilst the focus is primarily on architects, designers and contractors, we believe that similar principles must apply to the construction supply chain too.  

Under the Act, a construction product manufacturer consulting on the suitability or use of a product for a build scheme, and/or providing advice or feedback on the design could potentially fall under the broad definition of a ‘designer’, as a party carrying out a level of design work. Whilst this scenario is not specifically addressed by the regulations, manufacturers should take accountability for any advice they give, and act in alignment with the Act’s requirements of designers, as far as the scope of their role allows. Manufacturer competency is also championed and assessed by the eleventh clause of the CCPI, which asks participants “...ensure that anyone conveying ‘Product Information’ is competent to the level of knowledge required for their role.” 

To meet this requirement, in 2024, we continued to progress our internal competency program, which goes beyond what is typical in our industry as a manufacturer. All roles are regularly assessed using a SKEB matrix (Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviour). Employees in customer facing roles undergo formalised training to achieve a baseline level of product knowledge—with ongoing advanced upskilling pathways for technical staff. This ensures that our design or product suitability advice is backed by clear product data and delivered by educated staff able to interpret a project’s needs and requirements. Our internal competency program is also fundamental to our vision to become “global leaders in passive fire solutions for the building envelope,” as not only has it enabled us to create our unique service-backed product offering, but to develop a global team of passive fire safety advocates. 

In 2024, 225 Siderise staff received internal training. What’s more, a survey conducted as part of the company’s Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 assessment found that 83% of employees felt like they have enough information and training to do their job well.