7 Questions with Jack Padfield
In this edition of 7 Questions with BB7, I caught up with Jack Padfield, one of our brilliant fire engineers. We spoke about his journey into fire engineering, the highlights of his career so far, what he would change about the profession, and the advice he would give to his younger self. Enjoy reading – it’s a really interesting one.
1. How did you get to where you are now?
It’s not a straight path, but I’ve found that staying curious and open to new experiences has made all the difference. One of the great things about working at BB7 is the opportunity to explore different sectors and project types across the industry. Being willing to step outside your comfort zone and get involved in unfamiliar areas has been key to my development and I’d encourage others to do the same whenever the opportunity arises.
2. What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Professionally, there’s no single standout moment but there’s real satisfaction in seeing long-running projects through to completion, especially when you’ve been involved from day one. Positive feedback from clients always reinforces that sense of achievement. My highlight at BB7 from a social aspect has to be the Centre Parcs Christmas party which was a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to unwind and connect with colleagues in a completely different setting.
3. What do you enjoy most about working at BB7?
Without a doubt, it’s the people. There’s a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie here that makes BB7 a genuinely enjoyable place to work. I also really value the variety in our projects; no two days are the same. The diversity of work keeps things engaging and gives me plenty of opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
4. What’s one emerging technology in fire engineering that excites you?
I wouldn’t really say I am particularly interested in any emerging technology at the moment.
5. What are the biggest challenges in designing evacuation strategies for complex buildings?
Complex buildings often have non-standard uses and architectural features that don’t fit neatly into guidance. One of the biggest challenges is aligning fire strategies with the actual behaviour and expectations of the people using the space, while still complying with prescriptive codes. It often requires a more real-world/common sense approach and a lot of collaboration with the design team, which I believe can be a struggle for engineers as we can be comfortable sticking to the guidance, and so can the AHJ’s!
6. If you could change one thing about your profession, what would it be?
We still see fire engineering input requested from clients as a reactive response rather than being proactive and appointing a consultant at the early stages. I have found this is particularly the case with retrospective or refurbishment works, where the contractors are already on site altering the design and building without consultation. Fire engineering needs to be seen as an enabler of a good design, rather than a constrain, therefore earlier engagement can prevent additional costs to a project.
7. What’s one piece of career advice you’d give to your younger self?
Get comfortable with the grey areas. Fire engineering isn’t always about finding the perfect answer. Also, in a technical world it can be easy to underestimate the importance of soft skills – don’t.
A massive thank you to Jack for taking the time to share his journey and advice, and for giving us a glimpse into life as a fire engineer at BB7.
7 Questions with BB7 is our interview series shining a spotlight on the incredible people behind the business. Each edition offers a closer look at the individuals who make up our team, as they share their career journeys, day-to-day experiences, and a few words of wisdom. You can find more 7 Questions with BB7 interviews on our Spotlight page.