Our first attempt at taking Behind the Regs on the road. And what a learning experience it was!

Today, we're releasing our live podcast recorded at Broste Fest 2026, celebrating 10 years of Broste Rivers Group.

This episode brings together six conversations recorded on the conference floor, with Richard Murrell, Samuel Simpson, Marion Parks, David Strachan, David Pidduck and Amy Clulow.

We had the opportunity to explore Building Control from different perspectives, discussing early engagement, collaboration, Gateway 2, leadership, career development, apprenticeships and the importance of communication across the construction industry.

A huge thank you to all six guests for taking the time to sit down with us, share their experiences and contribute to some genuinely valuable conversations.

Now, a little honesty about the recording itself.

This was our first attempt at recording a live podcast at an industry event using our own equipment.

We arrived with our content creation microphones, plenty of enthusiasm and, as it turned out, a few technical lessons waiting for us!

The biggest challenge was audio. With several microphones operating close together in a busy environment, we experienced some echo and overlapping sound that we couldn't completely eliminate during editing.

So, a small apology in advance. The audio may not be as crisp and clear as you've become accustomed to with Behind the Regs.

But we didn't want those technical imperfections to prevent us from sharing six conversations that deserve to be heard.

And that experience taught us something valuable.

If we're serious about taking Behind the Regs into more workplaces, conferences and industry events, we need to invest in doing it properly.

So that's exactly what we've done.

Since this recording, we've invested in professional dynamic microphones, lighting and a fully mobile podcast setup. We've already put that equipment to use during our recent live recordings at CABE headquarters.

We're still learning, still improving and still funding this journey ourselves, with some welcome financial support from our sponsor, Plan Checker, towards the equipment.

Every opportunity teaches us something, and this one helped shape what Behind the Regs is becoming.

A sincere thank you to Gary Cass, Rachel Legood and Esther Davies from Broste Rivers Group for inviting us to Broste Fest and giving us the opportunity to experiment, learn and take another step forward.

And to everyone who has supported the podcast, thank you. We genuinely appreciate it.

Behind the Regs is now fully mobile, and we'd welcome conversations with other Building Control Bodies, professional associations and organisations interested in hosting a live recording at their offices or industry events anywhere in the UK.

🎧 The full ProstFest episode is now available.

We hope you enjoy the conversations, even with a little background echo!

And we promise, the audio quality in our upcoming live episodes has taken a significant step forward.

#BehindTheRegs #BrosteRiversGroup #ProstFest2026 #BuildingControl #BuildingSafety #BuiltEnvironment #ConstructionIndustry #Podcast #LivePodcast #PlanChecker

Passive Fire Protection: Why Early Collaboration and the Right Evidence Matter

Passive fire protection is more than choosing a product and sealing an opening. It depends on a tested system, suitable design, coordinated trades, correct installation, inspection, and clear records. In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack and Nader speak with Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire, about what it takes to get those details right.

Alec explains how early engagement, ideally before fire stopping becomes a site issue, can help teams avoid redesign, delays, and unnecessary costs.

He discusses the role of service penetration planning, the importance of coordinating architects and MEP designers with fire engineers, contractors, installers, and building control, and why a solution that looks straightforward on paper may not be practical to install.

The conversation clarifies the difference between a product and a tested, classified system. A product data sheet or an individual fire test report may not, on its own, demonstrate that an installation is suitable for a project.

Teams need to understand the complete application, the approved evidence, and how the proposed installation aligns with the relevant wall or floor, services, and required fire performance.

Alec also highlights workmanship as a major source of problems. Even when the design and evidence are sound, incorrect installation or poor coordination between trades can undermine the intended performance.

His practical advice: agree on the details early, involve the people who will build and inspect the work, and ask for the manufacturer’s detail showing what is being installed and how.Other topics include:

• How passive fire protection helps protect a building’s structure and contain fire through compartmentation

• Why early planning supports stronger gateway submissions and reduces reactive fixes
• Where communication commonly breaks down between design teams and site teams
• Why clear terminology matters when discussing fire resistance, test reports, and classified information
• The role of CPD, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing in improving industry understanding
• How changing expectations and standards are shaping the future of passive fire protection

Alec’s route into the industry, from military communications and NATO training to technical support, has shaped his focus on making complex information easier to understand and apply.

He shares why the industry benefits when teams stay open-minded, ask questions, and move beyond “this is how we’ve always done it.”For anyone working in construction, design, fire safety, installation, or building control, this episode offers a practical reminder: plan together, use the right evidence, and verify that the detail can be delivered correctly on site.

Guest: Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire

In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack Calveley and Nader Hassan are joined by Darren Burrell for a thoughtful conversation about competence, consultancy, technical leadership, and where experienced Building Control professionals fit within the current regulatory landscape.

Darren brings a broad background across Building Control, quantity surveying, local authority work, NHBC, warranty risk management, technical consultancy, major projects, fire compliance, professional membership, standards work and leadership.

The discussion explores what competence really means beyond titles, registration status and CPD records, particularly for professionals who may not always be carrying out restricted functions day to day, but are still using their knowledge and experience to advise design teams, manage risk, support projects, train others and contribute to better outcomes.

Topics covered include:

• Competence beyond registration alone

• Building Control consultancy vs statutory Building Control

• RBI status, re-registration and restricted functions

• Chartered status and wider professional recognition

• Warranty risk, fire compliance and major project experience

• The value of technical leadership and mentoring

• Whether the industry needs clearer recognition for Building Control consultants

This episode is not about blurring the line between consultancy and statutory decision-making. It is about understanding how experience, judgement, behaviour, knowledge and responsibility are recognised in a changing Building Control profession.