BUILDING THE FUTURE COMMISSION CONFERENCE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) attended the Building the Future Commission Conference on the 27th September in London. The inaugural event held at Church House in Westminster brought together leading industry figures to delve into some of the biggest issues identified by Building’s year-long inquiry into the built environment.
Focusing on Digital, Net Zero, Building Safety, People and Delivery, and Housing, Building magazine’s Building the Future Commission Conference featured a number of prominent speakers with the headline address delivered by National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt.
Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, was one of 400 built environment professionals attending and lent his insight into the discussions. Several key themes emerged during the conference:
Value versus cost
A recurring topic throughout the discussions was the importance of distinguishing between value and cost in the built environment. The conversations highlighted the need to communicate the value and benefits of various aspects, such as digital technologies, sustainability, and fire safety, rather than getting bogged down in cost-related distractions.
Seeking joined-up thinking
Attendees emphasised the desire for more joined-up thinking and coordinated approaches from the government. It was suggested that the industry should take the lead in fostering discussions that involved government stakeholders, an approach already embraced by the Fire Sector Federation as it works toward building a National Strategic View.
Embracing the future
Keynote speaker Katy Dowding, CEO of Skanska UK, urged attendees to consider what the facts are revealing about the future and take proactive steps to adapt. This perspective triggered reflections on the challenges facing the construction industry
in terms of construction techniques, usable space requirements, materials and sustainability. The need to develop solutions for these challenges, including forms of active fire protection, was underscored.
Digital transformation
Martha Tsigkari, Head of the Applied R+D group at Foster + Partners, delivered a visually impressive presentation highlighting the role of digital tools and techniques as an enabler of design and informed decision-making within the built environment. The message emphasised that digital tools complement human expertise and enable faster decision-making.
Fire safety adaptation
The panel discussion on Fire Safety focused on adapting to new legislation and the potential for improving existing tools rather than continually inventing new ones. Suzannah Nichols, Chief Executive at Build UK, urged the community to adapt and enhance existing solutions, despite the fact the industry faces several challenges in this regard.
Net zero challenges
Net zero discussions highlighted the emergence of a new language and drivers within the built environment. This is something the fire safety community needs to do more to embrace. The conference participants noted the importance of the fire safety community embracing these changes more actively.
The Business Sprinkler Alliance advocates greater business resilience by enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and use of fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial premises. By participating in events like the Building the Future Commission Conference, BSA contributes to critical conversations shaping the future of the built environment and the role of fire safety within it.
For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org