New president for the EAPFP

Vicente Mans, representing the passive fire protection sector group in the Spanish Association of Fire Protection Societies (TECNIFUEGO-AESPI) and member of the board, will retain the position of president for the next two years, while Joric Witlox of the Association of Fireproof Building Netherlands (BBN) takes on the role of vice-president.

During his time as president, Mr Mans aims is to raise the profile of the Association, as it continues to campaign to develop awareness and understanding of the vital role that passive fire protection plays in the event of a fire. He also hopes to widen the Association’s appeal, attracting new members from across Europe and beyond.

Mr Mans takes over from outgoing president Wilf Butcher, chief executive officer of the UK’s Association for Specialist Fire Protection, who held the position from 2010-12. 

The meeting also gave EAPFP members the opportunity to bid farewell to longstanding member Helmut Haselmair, who is soon to retire. Mr Haselmair first became active within the Association in 2000, when his employer, Hilti, became a member. He held the position of vice-president from 2001-2005 and president from 2005-2007.

Mr Haselmair represents the EAPFP on several European Technical Committees including CEN TC 127 (Fire safety in buildings) and the European Organisation for Technical Approvals working group which developed European Technical Approval Guidelines 018 and 026 for fire protection and fire stopping/sealing products.  He is also a representative on several task groups covering topics from penetration seals and linear joint seals to curtain walling.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Mans said:
“I would like to thank both Wilf Butcher and Helmut Haselmair for their extensive work and clear commitment to the EAPFP over many years. They leave the Association in a very strong position for the future and I look forward to building on the foundations they have laid and leading the Association through its next phase of development.

“Since its formation in 1988, the EAPFP has campaigned successfully within the European Commission to improve European test and product standards for a variety of passive fire protection products. The Association will continue to lobby within the EC for standards that guarantee a high degree of fire safety, as well as working to reach stakeholders in the wider community.”

The Association aims to raise the standard of fire safety in buildings through education and by raising awareness of passive fire protection. EAPFP members include a range of national associations from across Europe, which offer a wide range of guidance documents on passive fire protection methods, fire testing and assessment, types of systems and product/system data sheets.

For further information on the EAPFP, visit www.eapfp.com; tel: +44 (0)1420 471616; e-mail: admin@eapfp.com