Industry Focus – with Frances Maria Peacock

Focus on…career steps with Senior Fire Engineer and Architectural Technologist Frances Maria Peacock FCIAT C.Build E FCABE IHBC MIFireE MSFPE AMICE PG Cert BSc Dip. HE

Q. What is your current role and how long have you been in the position?

A. Since December 2022, I’ve worked as a Senior Fire Engineer for Façade Remedial Consultants (FRC), also known as FR Consultants. I have also worked on and off since March 2021 for a partner company (Intelliclad) for which I am a Fire Engineer; this company has developed a unique façade-based fire detection and alarm system.

FRC primarily consists of surveyors and engineers, and I partake in a number of services including external wall assessments, fire statements, risk assessments, remediation/mitigation and peer reviews.

I also personally run a fire research consultancy called Olympus Fire Safety. Although it does not take work from paying clients, it exists to protect my research and the reports I publish, all of which are my own work and fully independent from FRC and any other employer.

Q. What route did you take to your current role?

A. I started my career in architectural practice, specialising in heritage and conservation, but later switched to fire engineering.

I didn’t see this as a career change as such because I already had some experience of fire safety through my architectural work, one such example being the conversion of a former nightclub into a restaurant, for which I had to consider issues such as escape routes and fire exits. Throughout my time in practice, I continued to build up knowledge of issues like the combustibility of materials and fire-safe building design, compartmentation, escape routes, fire exits, fire doors, cavity barriers, fire stopping etc. Fire safety became increasingly interesting to me, and I finally took the decision to move from architectural practice to fire engineering after two key events – the retirement of my employer, and the Grenfell Tower fire.

At this point, I felt confident that I was becoming well established in the fire sector, but I proactively began my transition from architecture to fire engineering by taking some short courses on fire safety. I also sought out lectures on fire safety and fire science; these resources covered a variety of topics such as passive and active fire protection, smoke spread, means of warning and escape, evacuation, current legislation, regulations and guidance, fire spread through structures, reaction of materials to fire, etc.  I kept up my own research on the subject, with notable reads including The Society of Fire Protection Engineers [SFPE] Handbook and “An Introduction to Fire Dynamics” by Dougal Drysdale [Emeritus Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering].

In my case, I did voluntary work with links to my switch in career direction – I held the post of Health & Safety Officer at a local heritage railway, which incorporated on-site fire safety responsibilities and required me to have both a Fire Warden’s certificate and First Aid at Work. In addition, I once worked at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire as an archivist, which required my involvement in the drawing-up of an emergency plan to rescue the building’s priceless artwork and antiques in the event of a fire. In the past I was a tour guide at Delapre Abbey in Northampton, stepping up to be chairman and then treasurer of the charitable trust looking after the site prior to its recent restoration. As you can probably tell, I have a natural affinity towards old buildings and conservation!

Eventually, I reached a sufficiently high standard to join the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), firstly as an Associate (AIFireE), then as a Member (MIFireE).  I also joined the SFPE, for which I’m now President of the UK Chapter. I hold membership of CABE as a Chartered Building Engineer and Fellow (C.Build E FCABE), as well as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), for which I’m an Associate Member (AMICE).

However, I haven’t given up with heritage work entirely - I take a small number of commissions as a sideline.  This ensures that I maintain my skills and retain my Full Membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), which is a must for any conservationist.

I’m always looking for ways to continually build upon my existing knowledge of fire safety and fire science; most recently, I completed the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) External Wall Assessment (EWS1). I enjoy learning new things hugely – it’s taken a lot of dedication and commitment to reach my current position but I am very proud of what I’ve achieved to date.

Q. Was this role a career aim for you from the outset?

A. I’ve always been interested in architecture and engineering, although unfortunately these interests weren’t encouraged by either my parents or careers advisors at school. I had a natural predilection for railway signal engineering – as a child, I would go for walks alongside the Midland Main Line and be fascinated by the signal box and those inside working the levers! Even as a youngster, I wanted to understand how such contraptions worked and would visit the library to consume as many books on the subject as I could.

This love for railway and industrial architecture stayed with me as I grew older, but my initial career choice was to study law at the University of Bedfordshire, possibly because I assumed this would be better for me in terms of future job opportunities. But the truth was, my heart wasn’t in it, and after obtaining a Diploma of Higher Education in Law, I said goodbye to law studies.

At this point I then had children, which altered my trajectory; there were several other lines of work I pursued next, which I enjoyed but weren’t sustainable long term, for example being a freelance writer.

It became clear to me that I needed to hold true to my earlier interests and take up studying architecture. Returning to education as a mature student in my late 30s was not a decision I took lightly, but it seemed the best way forward. Due to my personal circumstances, I applied to my local institution only, the University of Northampton, for their singular architectural course, a BSc in Architectural Technology, and I have never looked back! I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. After attending my first session, I came home and told my family how much I had enjoyed it, saying that I should have done it years ago. Therefore, I would say to anyone who is thinking of changing their career path or returning to education later in life, go for it. It’s never too late and you’ll be surprised how much it changes your life.

In 2010, in the first year of my BSc course, I joined the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) as a Student Member, becoming chartered in 2018 (and am now a Fellow). I also joined the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as I felt it would widen my knowledge and architectural scope. After graduating with a 2:1 (narrowly missing out on a First), I secured my first job role, working part-time with a local architect who passed me all his conservation jobs.

As previously mentioned, the big change for me in terms of professional steer came in 2017, after Grenfell. In the aftermath of horror and confusion, I believed I could help in some way and started a research project to try and explain the spread and behaviour of the fire. In October 2019, I released a 173-page report based on my research and I have now rewritten my work in an academic format, in preparation for a PhD which I hope to begin soon.  This has also given me the opportunity to carry out revisions and additional research in some of the areas.

Since, I’ve written many reports about façade fires and have contributed to several investigations, including Grenfell and the Torre del Moro in Milan. I’m currently involved with the investigation into the tragic fire which occurred in Valencia, February 2024 and I’m also preparing a report about the fire in August at a block of flats in Dagenham. I’m pleased to say that my reports have been read by professionals across the globe and I give presentations on my work in both the UK and abroad.

That little child intrigued by the local train tracks has come a long way indeed!

Q.  Did/do you have a mentor?

A. I didn’t, no – I have always been a self-starter and advocate strongly for being self-taught. A university degree can only take you so far − what you do next is down to you and you alone.  Hard work, dedication and enthusiasm are required to forge a professional career.  I also believe it’s vital to have an enquiring mind, analytical abilities and the will to discover things for yourself.  With a mentor, they can only give you advice, they can’t give you the knowledge and experience needed for success.

Achieving something largely off your own back gives you a high degree of satisfaction.  I have a strong independent streak and will follow things through in my own way, with a view to achieving the desired outcome.  For this reason, being mentored just wouldn’t have suited me personally.

In truth, the built environment remains a male-dominated industry and I have experienced sexism at times during my career, which can seem like a daunting obstacle. But my drive to learn and to continuously solidify my professional competence has held me in good stead, with my skills tried and tested, proving that nothing else matters if you have the right skill set.

Q. Are there any other positions in the built environment sector that appeal to you?

A. Stone masonry appealed to me at one time, branching off my lifelong interest in historic buildings… I suppose this manifested itself into my further studies and affiliations, as I have a postgraduate certificate in Historic Conservation, and am also a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and a member of HESPR, IHBC’S promotional service for conservation businesses.

As I have professional qualifications and experience in both architecture and fire safety, it puts me in a strong position for both disciplines. I am a better fire engineer because I know how buildings are designed and constructed; I am better at architectural design because I can design safer buildings due to knowing how fire spreads and the risks involved.

I think ultimately, fire engineering is where I excel and where I love working, and architecture and the industrial world will always engage and excite me both personally and professionally.

Further guidance:

• Frances began her professional career as an architectural technologist, a role defined by the National Careers Service as managing all stages of the technical design and planning process of building projects. According to the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), “if you like architecture, design, drawing, IT, problem-solving and you are creative and inquisitive, then this could be the career for you.”
  
  Start your research on this role at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

• Frances mentions the Grenfell Tower fire and how the disaster impacted decisions she made about her career path and goals. The fire was in 2017; the subsequent public inquiry published its Phase 2 Report on 4 September 2024 and contains 58 recommendations to government. The impact of the Inquiry’s findings will reverberate across the built environment for a long time to come – it’s advisable for anyone working within, or new to, the industry to read more at grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk
• Being committed to research and regular background reading seems to have played an enormous part in Frances’s achievements. Building Engineer journal is produced by CABE and delivered to members monthly; it contains the latest industry news and developments, insightful features and informative articles for professionals at all stages of their career. You can access the journal’s dedicated website at buildingengineer.org.uk for further articles on historical buildings, architectural accomplishments and more, or subscribe to the journal if you are a non-member by visiting cbuilde.com