Mother and Son Feature in 2022 IFSEC Global Influencers in fire safety

In a household double, a UK mother and son take out separate awards in the 2022 IFSEC Global Influencers in Fire and Safety, and raising awareness of shortcomings in the UK fire alarm standard for people with sensory sensitivities.

Chosen based on nominations judged by a panel of highly respected judges, the IFSEC Global annual influencer awards are designed to generate positivity by recognising and highlighting the talent and efforts of some of the leading individuals tirelessly working to develop the fire safety sectors.

IFSEC defines ‘influencer’ in the following ways: • Someone who has played a key role in driving technological innovation • Someone who has been a driving force in changing regulation, standards/guidance or best practice • Someone whose insights/opinions are widely respected and which are influential in shaping debate around industry issues • Someone who has been instrumental in the success of the organisation or business they lead or are employed by • Someone who has helped to raise the industry’s profile or been an influential voice in the national media

Following the submission of nominations from the IFSEC Global audience and beyond, a panel of judges assigned points to each nomination based on the persuasiveness of the nomination, their research into the nominee and their own knowledge of the nominee’s contributions to their field. The judges were also permitted to submit a limited number of nominations themselves.

The awards are divided into two categories: one for the whole industry, and another – ‘Ones to Watch’ – designed to recognise up and coming individuals making a difference in the sector, but who have been in the profession no longer than five years.

This year’s awards were made somewhat unique by the winning ways of UK mother and son Andrea and Sonny White. Among the 12 awardees, mum Andrea took out second place in the general category, while son Sonny was identified as ‘one to watch’.

A winning family

Andrea White, MSc BSc Hons IEng FIFireE C.BuildE MCABE MIFSM CMIOSH, an independent Fire Engineer, is an Incorporated Engineer via the IFE (UK), a Chartered Building Engineer via CABE and an IFEregistered Fire Risk Assessor.

Andrea is Chair of the Women in Fire Engineering Networking Group, as well as a Lead Interviewer and Panel Member for the IFE’s Fire Risk Register. With a background in fire safety enforcement, consultancy and the insurance industry, she has a particular interest in timber construction and also in appropriate fire safety measures for those with invisible disabilities.

Sonny White is an enthusiastic 16-year-old fire alarm designer in the making, Having spent the last few years turning the log cabin in his mum Andrea’s back garden into a fire alarm training centre, he has taught himself how to wire and operate different types of commercial fire alarm systems, as well as gaining an in-depth knowledge of relevant standards.

Frustrated that his school’s fire alarm was causing many of his peers to react adversely and get upset, Sonny researched and authored a Fire Industry Association (UK) Guidance Note on fire alarm sound levels and how to make them more appropriate for those with sensory sensitivities. Guidance Document – Fire alarm considerations for people with sensory sensitivities was launched by the FIA at FIREX 2022 in May.

Meeting the needs of those with sensory sensitivities

“With his GCSE exams imminent, Sonny presented via a pre-recorded video message, highlighting the need for fire alarm systems to cater for those with autism or sensory sensitivities, who may panic, hide or freeze when an alarm sounds,” wrote IFSEC Global editor James Moore in an article for the online news portal.

“This is the last thing you want in a fire drill,” Sonny told IFSEC Global, “especially if it is a real emergency.” The impact of the alarm on some students with sensory sensitivities, explained Sonny, included causing them to miss out on learning.

Sonny conducted a study of his own school and a special needs school and he explored the various solutions on offer from fire alarm companies.

“His efforts come in the context of 700,000 people in the UK with autism spectrum disorder and suffering from sensory sensitivities to noise and light,” wrote Moore. “The reaction to the fire alarm from some of these students, therefore, potentially impacts upon 1,500 special schools in the UK and on special needs units in mainstream schools and on child and adult day centres, or simply on individuals in mainstream schools or workplaces.”

Sonny believed the topic had not been fully addressed in the UK Code of Practice for fire detection and fire alarm systems BS 589-1, and contacted the FIA in mid-2021 about suitability of fire alarm warnings in special schools.

A special interest group was consequently convened by the FIA to develop a guidance document to cover situations where fire alarm warnings are intended for people with sensory sensitives.

According to the introduction of the new Guidance Document, “Whilst BS 5839-1 addresses the needs of those who have a hearing impairment and those with photosensitive epilepsy, the code does not address the needs of those with other sensory sensitivities who may not behave as designers expect during an evacuation.

“Those with hypersensitivities are highly likely to have an extreme emotional reaction to sudden loud noises or bright/flashing lights. Behaviours in response to becoming overloaded can include screaming, crying, running, freezing or hiding. In this state, individuals may not be able to respond to direction or instruction. Emotional upset can last for hours after an event.”

The document is intended to provide guidance to those involved in the specification, design, and application of fire alarm systems in premises where occupants have sensory sensitivities. Examples of such premises include special schools, units and resource provisions for autistic students within mainstream schools, as well as some types of day centres, residential care premises and supported housing.

While the document aims to identify the considerations that should be taken into account for certain fire alarm systems, it does not offer any recommendations for any specific situation. “Employers and service providers,” it states, “have a responsibility for ensuring that all people, including those with disabilities, can evacuate safely from the building they control in the event of a fire.”

Andrea White, Managing Director, A W Fire Ltd

Sonny White, Fire Alarm Designer