Fire safety is critical during all phases of construction projects and needs to be managed from the earliest design stages. It helps prevent injuries to people and protect buildings from fires and the correct way of handling them if they do occur. In practice, HSG 168 is most effective when applied by competent fire safety Read more »
The Fire Safety Bill was introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy to address gaps in how fire safety responsibilities were being applied to multi-occupied residential buildings. Its purpose was to clarify how existing fire safety duties should apply to certain parts of residential buildings that had previously fallen into a grey area, particularly Read more »
Fire alarm systems are a critical life safety measure and a legal requirement in many premises under UK fire safety legislation. An effective fire detection and alarm system ensures that a fire is detected early, occupants are warned promptly, and evacuation can take place safely. They are required in workplaces, commercial premises, residential buildings, and Read more »
Fire doors are a critical life-safety feature in many buildings, forming part of the fire precautions required to protect escape routes, support compartmentation, and limit the spread of fire and smoke. To perform as intended, fire doors must be correctly specified, competently installed, and regularly maintained. Poor installation, incompatible components, or lack of inspection can Read more »
Keeping your building’s fire dampers in perfect working order is essential when it comes to safeguarding the safety of all occupants in the event of a fire. Failure to do so not only exposes the building and its occupants to serious fire safety risks but also amounts to non-compliance to the legal requirements set out Read more »
External wall fire safety has become a critical issue for multi-occupied residential buildings following changes in lender requirements and government guidance. External wall systems, including cladding, balconies, insulation, and fixings, can significantly influence a building’s fire risk profile. An EWS1 (External Wall System) Fire Review Survey provides a structured assessment of external wall fire risk Read more »
Passive fire protection surveys are essential for ensuring that a building’s fire-resisting elements are correctly installed, maintained, and effective at containing fire, smoke, and heat. These surveys form a fundamental component of building fire safety, legislative compliance, and life safety management. Passive fire protection surveys are commonly commissioned to support fire risk assessments, regulatory inspections, Read more »
Fire compartmentation is one of the most effective fire safety measures for protecting life and limiting damage to property. When correctly designed and maintained, compartmentation slows the spread of fire and smoke, providing occupants with vital time to evacuate and allowing emergency services to respond safely. Despite its importance, fire compartmentation is often poorly understood, Read more »
Fire stopping is a critical element of passive fire protection, designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through a building by maintaining the integrity of fire-resisting walls and floors. While often hidden from view, defective or missing fire stopping is one of the most common causes of compartment failure during fires. A professional Read more »
Working with flammable, explosive, or otherwise dangerous substances presents a significant risk if those hazards are not properly controlled. Simply being aware that a substance is hazardous is not enough — without suitable precautions, a single ignition source can result in fire, explosion, serious injury, or structural damage. The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations Read more »
