PFKG and GIRI join forces to improve fire safety and quality in the UK construction sector

The Passive Fire Knowledge Group (PFKG) and The Get It Right Initiative (GIRI) have announced their intention to work together to improve safety and building practices by sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas and promoting each other's goals and objectives.

This collaboration combines PFKG’s specialist approach to passive fire protection with GIRI’s broader approach to improving construction practices and eliminating errors. PFKG, established in 2022, is a unique not-for-profit collaboration of contractors, consultants and relevant trade associations. Its mission is to improve the delivery of well-designed, specified and installed passive fire protection by focusing on three key areas: processes, testing and training.

Established in 2015, GIRI is a group of over 100 leading UK construction industry experts, organisations and companies who are actively improving productivity, quality, sustainability and safety in the construction industry by eliminating errors.

Passive fire protection (PFP), sometimes also referred to as ‘integrated’ fire protection, is the group of components, materials or systems that are integrated into the building structure. PFP includes many different product and system categories, including structural steel fire protection, compartment walls and floors, fire doors, fire dampers and ducts and fire stops (service penetration seals, linear joint seals and cavity barriers). It is a key element of fire safety in buildings that continues to place demands on the construction industry.

Commenting on the new collaboration, Cliff Smith, Executive Director of the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI), said: “The construction industry is facing radical changes brought about by the Building Safety Act, with more stringent standards and regulation at every stage of the development lifecycle.

“Through the GIRI Design Guide and our Building Safety Act Working Group, GIRI is working across the industry to meet these requirements and keep people safe through a shared culture of doing things right the first time.

This collaboration with PFKG will allow us to highlight the critical importance of fire safety, using our collective expertise to increase attention to this high priority issue.”

Will Pitt and Joe Cilia, co-chairs of the Passive Fire Protection Knowledge Group (PFKG), said: “Passive fire protection is often a key interface between the architecture, structure and engineering services of the building, and getting it right first time requires careful thought and planning, particularly in the early stages of design.

“It is clear to us that GIRI shares similar goals and that by working more closely together we can help amplify each other’s message.”

The PFKG and GIRI will collaborate and share best practice guidance, including design tips, quality alerts, webinars and knowledge sharing events. The PFKG continues to produce peer-reviewed knowledge shares covering a wide range of topics associated with the design, specification and installation of passive fire protection systems.

To learn more about the Passive Fire Knowledge Group (PFKG), visit www.pfkg.org

To learn more about the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI), visit

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