Mass Timber Constructions – Unthinkable without…

We’re excited to announce that the AIS Lecture series will resume on Monday 28th September 2026.  After the success of April’s lecture and the informative presentation by Jim Glockling we are please to confirm her will be returning to open the series with another insightful presentation on Mass timber construction.  

Dr Jim Glocking has worked extensively with the FPA, RISCAuthority and others regarding the risk management aspects of mass timber construction. This lecture will cover insurers’ requirements and expectations that make mass timber construction insurable. Without insurance, such projects are not viable, so designers, builders and property maintenance managers must heed this information, which insurers and their risk surveyors need to be clear about  

The Zoom invite has been sent out to members, if you have not received please email jw@gjis.co.uk

Now Available on AiS TV

Those that were able to attend last month’s lecture New construction methods – emerging challenges and solutions presented by Jim Glockling will no doubt all agree that this was not to be missed.  

Jim presented a captivating and informative lecture covering the very real challenges posed by new building methods and materials that are hampering insurance provision at a time when net-zero ambitions are pressing. New guidance and research aimed at unlocking the required capacity is discussed in terms of practical measures that accept the strengths and weaknesses of different construction materials and the creation of hybrid buildings with resilience fully considered.

For those of you that were unable to attend (or simply want to watch again) the recording is now available on AiS TV to be viewed on demand.  

Have you missed an AIS Lecture or simply want to refresh your memory?  

You can watch previous lectures on demand via AiS TV.  Just log in to the members section and where you can catch up on past lectures at your convenience.

Date:  Thursday 11th February 2027

Time:  Registration and coffee from 09.30, start 10:00, finish 15:30.

Location:  BRE/LPCB, Bucknalls Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 9XX (but WD25 9NH for satnav)

Lunch and refreshments are provided free of charge.

Details of speakers and registration will follow later in the year.  In the meantime save the date!

This event is FREE to attend for AiS members, who can each bring one non-member guest, also FREE to attend.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held via Zoom on

Monday 27^th April 2026 at 5:00 pm
( or such time as following the monthly lecture for April 2026 )

April’s lecture will be on New construction methods – emerging challenges and solutions presented by Jim Gockling. The lecture will commence at 4pm and will be followed immediately by the AiS AGM, which should last approximately 15 minutes from the conclusion of the lecture.

Both lecture and AGM will be presented via Zoom and the link to join the meeting will be emailed to members accordingly. if you have not received an email with meeting details please email jw@gjis.co.uk

The AGM Agenda can be downloaded here

The AGM 2025 Minutes can be downloaded here

Whilst the lecture is open to all members, license holders and others, the AGM is for members only. Any non members will be requested to leave the meeting before the AGM commences.

We look forward to seeing members via Zoom on 27th April 2026

Kind regards

Andrew Coe

Chariman

The AIS Annual Lecture Day is fast approaching and we are pleased to confirm the following speakers;

• Tony Baker – Head of Technical Standards and Delivery, BRE – Passive Fire Protection Certification – LPS 1181
• Sarah Colwell – Head of Technical Codes and Standards, BRE – Challenges of Fire Testing and Approving Solar PV systems
• Raman Chagger – Principal Consultant, BRE – Video Flame Detection
• Ian Halliwell CSL DualCom – Intruder Alarms and PSTN Switch off
• Jasmine Hunt-Brown – Director, Safelock Systems – Locks for Safes and Smart Locks
• AIS Security Panel – This will be a wide-ranging open discussion amongst the panel and attending delegates in order to share experiences, knowledge and opinions on a variety of Security topics including; ‘Should cash ratings be increased in line with inflation?’ We’ll discuss safes, safe locks, anchoring, current standards, changes in safe attack tools/methods and the current cash ratings.

The day will also include a tour of BRE Including labs, burn hall and security product ‘attack’ testing hall

Date:  Thursday 12th February 2026

Time:  Registration and coffee from 09.30, start 10:00, finish 15:30.

Location:  BRE/LPCB, Bucknalls Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 9XX (but WD25 9NH for satnav)

Registration:  Please email lee.wallace@thmarch.co.uk with your name, company name and (if you will be arriving by car and parking on site) your vehicle registration number, please ensure you also provide your guest’s details, including their car registration if they are travelling separately.

Lunch and refreshments are provided free of charge.

This event is FREE to attend for AiS members, who can each bring one non-member guest, also FREE to attend. Places are limited – first come, first served – so please register (as below) as soon as possible

Save the date for the AIS Annual Lecture Day 2026 – 12th February 2026 at BRE, Watford.

AIS members are invited to join the annual lecture day hosted at BRE. The annual lecture day gives our members the chance to attend a variety of in person lectures and a great opportunity to network with fellow surveyors and AIS supporters.

We are excited to confirm that BRE will be hosting this half day event at their Watford testing facilities.

Speakers and itinerary to be confirmed.

Lunch and refreshments provided.

Details on how to register will be sent out to members in due course.

DeterTech are the pioneers of temporary site security solutions in the UK and Europe.

With over two decades of experience, we’ve built our reputation on delivering cutting-edge security solutions that redefine safety standards.

Our mission is to give greater peace of mind to people and communities, every day.

From criminal intelligence to forensic marking, site security to risk management, our comprehensive suite of solutions is designed to mitigate risks and safeguard against threats in diverse environments.

Whether it’s protecting critical infrastructure and National Heritage, securing construction sites, or supporting law enforcement efforts, we’re dedicated to greatly reducing the risk of crime.

To view the Lecture please log in to your account and view via AISTV

Our February lecture was presented by RISCAuthority Principal Consultant, Adrian Butler and gave an update on Fire Safety of PV panel installations.

The use of solar PV to generate electricity in the UK has grown rapidly since 2010, with there now being over 1.2 million solar PV installations in the UK.

The presentation covered:

-Hazards and primary contributing factors relating to PV solar roof-mounted system fires, including their battery energy storage systems. Reference will also be made to RISCA documents RC62 – Recommendations for Fire Safety with PV Panel Installations and Need to Know Guide RE3 – Rooftop Mounted PV Solar Systems.

-Key risk control recommendations for PV solar systems with the focus on both commercial rooftop installations however also with application to high net worth.

-Recent fire testing covering CENELEC and awareness of UL accreditation.

Fire Safety and PV Panel Installations

As many of you will already be aware, BT announced at the end of January that all BT Redcare operations will be ceasing on the 1st August 2025 after over 30 years of activity and innovation.

We, as the board, want to express out gratitude for the assistance provided by the BT Redcare team, who have provided meeting space and refreshments for the AiS monthly lectures for many years.

We have uploaded a bulletin from the BSIA for guidance which can be passed to colleagues and policyholders.

Click Here

If any of your clients are affected by the closure of BT Redcare, we recommend consulting the underwriting team responsible for the policy to confirm appropriate steps and adequate alternatives for the risk.

VPS UK’s core services cover the vacant, unoccupied and void property lifecycle from an initial risk assessment, security, maintenance, cleaning and preparation.

The presentation will give an update on current and future trends in the vacant property sector and what solutions are available to mitigate associated risks.

They will be discussing how to fully support customers with a variety of requirements such as.

• Vacant Property Security
• Vacant Property Services
• Site Security
• Guardian Security

This talk gives an insight into current methods of Forensic Marking and its role in protecting against theft, burglary and robbery. Current crime trends will be discussed, and the role forensic marking can play in mitigating some of the risks associated to these crimes.

CSL’s Regional Sales Manager, Ian Halliwell, will be providing updates on the latest industry changes, including:

• ECHO – Automated Police Response
• Mobile Networks – The Future of 2G/3G & Mobile Technologies
• All IP – The PSTN Switch-Off
• Latest Standards – Changes in grade timings and terminology
• CSL Product Range – Alarm Signalling and & Connectivity

In this NSI Bulletin they share the latest developments on a certification scheme for evacuation alert systems in high rise buildings launched in response to the Grenfell Tower Phase 1 inquiry report, highlighting the role of Third Party Certification in reassuring buyers, insurers and fire & rescue

Once logged in the Bulletin is available HERE

The latest NSI News Bulletin covering the new revision of BS 8418:2021 for the ‘Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of detector-activated video surveillance systems (VSS) – Code of practice’ published in July 2021

Once logged in the Bulletin is available HERE

Issue 3: Where do you guide a Policyholder to source a competent Fire Risk Assessment company? 

Once logged in the Bulletin is available HERE

Issue 2: Mitigating risk in commercial kitchens through third party certification

Once logged in the Bulletin is available HERE

A new alarm alert has been issued

Alarm Alert (19) – July 2021

Subject: BT’s ‘All IP’ project and the impact on Alarm Transmission Systems (ATS)

Details of this has been added to the members archive area.  Once logged in you can download details here.

The Police Crime Prevention team have recently launched an initiative providing advice to assist with choosing a suitable system, stressing the importance of using a reputable alarm company which has been approved by an Independent Inspectorate Body.

Once logged in the PCPI press release is available HERE

Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative, have issued a new guide for Construction Site Security which provides advice on how to secure a site from the very start to the end of construction.

Once logged in, SBD’s press release is available HERE

The NSI have provided AiS Members with their most recent ‘Insurance Bulletin’ which focuses on Managing Rogue Labour Risk in the Security and Events Industry.

Once logged in the Bulletin is available HERE

AGM 2020 via Zoom held on 14th September 2020

The AGM minutes together with this years Chairman’s Report have been added to the Document Archives area of the website and are available for members to download here

A new alarm Alert has been issued.

Alarm Alert 18 – January 2020

Subject: Implementation of PD 6662: 2017 and Alarm Transmission Systems (ATS)

Details of this has been added to the members archive area.  Once logged in you can download details here.

A new alarm Alert has been issued.

PD 6669: 2017 Guidance for the provision of Alarm Transmission Systems (ATS) for Alarm Systems in the UK

This new ‘published document’ (PD) from BSI has now been published and came into effect on 30 June 2017.

Details of this has been added to the members archive area.  Once logged in you can download details here.

BRE have launched a new standard for the approval of companies carrying out inspection, cleaning and maintenance of ductwork systems. LPS 2084 is designed to minimise fire risk whilst increasing hygiene and functionality of a building’s ductwork. For further information: http://bregroup.com/press-releases/is-your-ductwork-safe/

A new alarm Alert has been issued to members that will update you on work in the BSI in three important areas of intruder alarm system standardisation this will be relevant to colleagues carrying out security surveys.   This has been added to the new members archive area.

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance
Security Fogging is a very effective weapon in the arsenal of crime reduction.  However this is only the case if the systems have been specified, designed, installed and serviced correctly.

The majority of installations fulfil this requirement, however there have been a small number of failures of the security fogging systems to operate as intended which was starting to effect consumer and insurer confidence that they would perform as required.

Being a big advocate of the systems we were able to arrange for a number of security fogging machine suppliers and manufacturers to get together and with the help of the Met Police, NPCC, NSI and others we were able develop what has become the AiS Code of Practice.

I would like to thank all of those who were involved for their time, patience and most of all professionalism in helping develop the Code of Practice which should hopefully help installers, specifiers but more importantly consumers understand what is required for an effective Security Fogging System.

An insight into the reasons behind the new code of practice was discussed at our April 2016 meeting.  This is available to view on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/DBd0sDnKZNY

This document is intended to supplement the provisions of BS EN50131-1, CLC/TS 50131-7 and EN 50131-8 as they apply to installations of Security Fogging Systems for use in ‘Hold-up – Building Occupied (EN50131-8: Appendix C, C.6).  A copy of the standard can be downloaded here.