BMRA will be hosting another of its popular workshops on fighting fires in the metals recycling industry on 7 August 2025 at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s HQ at Pirehill Lane, Stone ST15 0BS.

Following feedback from previous sessions, as well as a theory session in the morning, this workshop will feature a series of more practical, hands-on sessions in the afternoon.

The workshop is based on the sector-specific offering developed by BMRA partner Packattack. The solution comprises learning how to effectively audit any site, how to empower a site’s responsible persons to identify specific steps that can be put in place to help reduce fires and, importantly implement a process to tackle fires on different sites when they do occur. Known as Zero-2-Five-20, this process leads to responsible persons understanding the importance of identifying a fire in two minutes, having trained staff and systems in place within five minutes and holding the fire for 20 minutes until the fire services arrive.

The practical element will look at issues such as

• The use of fire hose – hands on experience.
• The role of fire safety textiles in waste fires.
• Improving water supplies and efficient use of water on a waste site – water walls on waste sites.

“Given the number of fires we are experiencing shows no sign of slowing down, operators need to feel confident they can safely start tackling these fires straight away rather than waiting for the fire service to arrive, which may not be soon enough to prevent the fire spreading. This is especially true of lithium-type fires, which burn so intensely.” said Antonia Grey, BMRA’s lead on batteries and fires.

“I am particularly pleased that fire and rescue services across the country are willing to host our workshops as this has allowed us to add the practical element to the workshop.”

The workshop is suitable for all employees on the ground from operatives to site managers to business owners. Non-members are welcome as are representatives from local authorities and other bodies.

• The cost for members to attend will be £200 + VAT per person.
• The cost for non-member companies to attend will be £300 + VAT per person.
• The cost for representatives from local government to attend will be £200 + VAT per person.

Given the importance of everyone in the supply chain understanding the risks of fire across this sector, we would be happy if you would share this email with colleagues in local government with instructions to get in touch.

If you have any questions or are interested in attending, please contact Antonia. [email protected]