Our Mission and Values

A W Fire is dedicated to competence. Working closely with our clients to produce practical and pragmatic fire safety solutions. Taking pride in providing high-quality advice and great customer service with integrity.

Proud to be an Independent Consultancy

Andrea White MSc BSc(Hons) IEng FIFireE C.BuildE FCABE CFIOSH spent 20 years working in the fire safety industry before setting up A W Fire with the aim of providing impartial, high-quality advice and great customer service. With a Higher National Diploma and a Master’s degree with distinction in Fire Safety Engineering, Andrea is:

  • an Incorporated Engineer via the Institution of Fire Engineers
  • a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers
  • a Fellow Chartered Building Engineer of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers
  • an Incorporated Engineer via the Chartered Association of Building Engineers
  • a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Safety & Health
  • a third-party accredited fire risk assessor with the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Andrea spent several years acting as a lead interviewer and panel member for the IFE’s Fire Risk Register of fire risk assessors. With a background that includes consultancy, fire safety enforcement, training as a retained fire-fighter and time spent working for an insurer, Andrea has a broad understanding of fire safety and a strong knowledge of building construction. In 2022, Andrea was proud to be asked to become an expert witness for the Courts.

Andrea is a remarkable individual with undeniable enthusiasm and drive and inspirational to those around her. With a profound understanding and knowledge of fire safety, she is forensic in her ability to extrapolate only salient information. On a personal note, I never fail to be impressed by how organised and absolutely task focused she is. Fire safety aside, she has the rare ability to listen. I am unlikely to meet a more well-informed and likable fire professional. She is a genuine and important asset to the fire safety community.

Glenn Turner

I had the pleasure of working with Andrea for almost three years. She is unquestionably one of the most consummate professionals with whom I have had the privilege to work in my 40 year career. Her detailed knowledge of both Fire and Health and Safety regulatory regimes and their practical implementation is outstanding.

Dick Willis

As homeowners wanting to do some refurbishment works and a loft conversion to our house, we were asked by Building Control to involve a fire engineer to provide advice on the means of escape. We spoke to many different people, including other IFEs, and Andrea was the most helpful by a long way. She was able to assist by suggesting several different solutions to us and then discussing the issue with the Building Control Inspector to come to an agreement on a practical and pragmatic way forward. Andrea was great at understanding the situation and getting the result we wanted. We really appreciated Andrea’s composed and logical approach to resolving the problem. We found her to be an excellent communicator and were grateful for her expertise and the way in which she handled the issue.

Charles Walker

When I have a fire safety query, I’m always glad to be able to ask Andrea for advice. Her broad industry background gives her a vast range of safety knowledge. She’s always happy to visit and provide me with the advice I need without the technical jargon.

Andrea Janaway

Andrea is quite simply the best fire safety consultant and fire risk assessor I have ever had the privilege to work with. Andrea’s knowledge and skill in fire safety is second to none and I would not hesitate to recommend Andrea, not only in providing advice but giving practical and sensible solutions.

Joanna Robinson

I have had the pleasure of working with Andrea since June 2019. Andrea has a predictive management style and is a natural leader. She has a genuine willingness to help others and has always been approachable for any support, assistance and/or advice. I have found Andrea to be extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic and her passion about fire safety is contagious.Her enthusiasm for improving fire safety standards is motivating and has inspired other team members and myself to take bolder steps knowing that this support is always available.

Dean Poole

Giving back & industry recognition

In 2022, Andrea founded an independent women’s networking and support group for the UK fire safety industry. Women Talking Fire brings women working in fire safety together to talk, listen and learn. It also proactively seeks to increase the visibility of women in the fire safety industry. Andrea is a regular public speaker at industry events and in 2023 was voted to be in the top 100 most influential women in construction. She has been nominated for a number of other industry awards:

  • Lifetime Achievement finalist – Women in Science and Engineering Awards 2025
  • Woman of the Year finalist – Women in Fire Safety Awards 2022
  • Female Industry Pioneer finalist – Women in Construction Awards 2022
  • Women in Fire Safety finalist – Aico/Homelink Community Awards 2022
  • IFSEC Global Fire Safety Industry Influencer 2022
  • Inspirational Women finalist – Women in Fire Safety Awards 2021

Do you need support?

Here to help with any queries and always happy to discuss your fire safety projects.

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