Over two days at Construction Risk Management Europe in London, one message came through loud and clear: engage early.
Whether discussions centred on insurance, project delivery or risk management, speakers consistently highlighted the value of involving the right expertise at the earliest stages of a construction project. Early engagement leads to better-informed decisions, stronger collaboration and better outcomes for everyone involved.
For Howler, this reinforced something we’ve long believed. Fire safety shouldn’t be an afterthought. By involving fire safety specialists during the planning stages, project teams can develop temporary fire strategies appropriate to their specific site risks – ensuring the right protection is in place from day one.
Sharing Howler’s Expertise
As part of the conference programme, Martin Woodfield, Technical Director at Howler, delivered sessions exploring construction fire risk and the role of early-warning detection – including why fire remains one of the most significant causes of financial loss on construction projects, and why early detection should form part of project risk governance rather than simply meeting minimum compliance requirements.
The sessions generated valuable discussions with insurers, risk managers and construction professionals about the changing nature of construction fire risk and the importance of proactive risk management.

Looking Beyond Compliance
The strongest message to emerge from the conference was that successful projects rely on early collaboration.
- For insurers, this means understanding project risks before work begins.
- For contractors, it means embedding effective risk controls from the outset.
- For fire safety specialists, it means designing temporary detection strategies that reflect the unique challenges of each project as it evolves.
Interested in Learning More?
The themes discussed at the conference are covered in Howler’s accredited CPD presentations. If you’d like to arrange a session for your organisation, get in touch.





