Allan Grice

Allan Grice spent 30 years in the UK fire service, the bulk of this within the busiest most dangerous fire risk areas of inner London.

He rose through the ranks serving on busy stations and districts and attended numerous fire and rescue emergencies. Some of the most notable of these are recorded in his book “Fighting Fires And Eating Smoke” published in 2009.

He was awarded a United Kingdom research scholarship by the Institution of Fire Engineers of which he holds the highest qualification (MIFireE ). This allowed him to travel across the UK to research the subject of the structural collapse of buildings, which is one of the greatest hazards to fire and rescue crews.

The subsequent report resulted in him being awarded a diploma and the publishing of the full text in this country and India.

Allan held the post of Course Director Recruit Training at the London Fire Brigade Training Centre and was responsible for overseeing the initial training of all recruits to a level of competence which permitted their postings to fire stations across the capital.

Later he was Deputy Senior Fire Safety and Operations officer for the north east area of the Brigade. In this capacity he played a leading role in the fire protection schemes for some of the most innovative projects constructed during the regeneration of the former docklands. These included Canary Wharf tower, London City Airport, Financial Times plant and others.

At the same time and whilst Deputy Senior Fire Safety Officer, he was responsible for the day to day management of the enforcement of the fire safety legislation which applied at that period for all buildings from the City of London out to the rural suburbs of the north east area.

Appointed Principal Fire Safety Officer with the Devon Fire & Rescue Service he led the department through a period of major structural change and held responsibility across the county for all aspects of fire safety enforcement and advice in respect of all non domestic and domestic premises for seven years.

Following completion of his fire service career, Allan formed his own independent fire safety advisory service. In this capacity he draws on his extensive experiences of fire dynamics and practical fire fighting and rescue to advise a range of clients in premises large and small on complying with the current fire safety legislation.

To further share that knowledge he has been a visiting lecturer on the practical application of the fire law at Leeds university for fifteen years.

In November 2008 Allan published his comprehensive guidance manual “Fire Risk Fire Safety Law And Its Practical Application”. This publication provides fulsome advice to assist all of those persons who have direct or indirect responsibilities or interests in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Allan has had technical articles published in both “Construction Monthly” and “Building Engineer” on topics related to the 2005 Order.

His website www.allangrice.co.uk provides further information.

Books by this author:

Fire Risk Fire safety regulations have undergone their most significant change for over 30 years and company owners, employers, landlords and builders all face a seismic shift in liabilities and potential penalties. This invaluable book draws on over three decades of professional fire fighting, rescue and safety enforcement to provide jargon-free, practical guidance on current liabilities and compliance.