Fire extinguishers are life safety equipment — but only if they are maintained, accessible and in working order when needed. In the UK, portable fire extinguishers should be visually checked at least monthly and serviced every 12 months by a competent person, with additional extended servicing or overhaul intervals depending on the extinguisher type and Read more »
Passive fire protection (PFP) refers to the fire-resisting elements and systems built into a building’s structure that are designed to contain fire and smoke within defined compartments without requiring activation. Unlike active systems such as fire alarms or sprinklers, passive fire protection works continuously and automatically. It is part of the physical construction of a Read more »
Fire stopping is a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection strategy. It refers to the process of sealing gaps, joints and penetrations in fire-resisting walls, floors and ceilings so that fire, heat, smoke and toxic gases cannot spread through them. By containing fire and smoke within defined compartments, fire stopping helps protect escape Read more »
Fire compartmentation is a fundamental principle of building fire safety design. It refers to the practice of dividing a building into separate fire-resisting sections — known as compartments — to slow the spread of fire and smoke. The purpose is simple: to protect escape routes, limit fire damage, and give occupants time to evacuate safely. Read more »
Fire doors and fire exit doors are frequently confused — but they are not the same thing. They serve different roles within a building’s overall fire safety strategy and are designed for different life-safety purposes under UK fire safety legislation. In simple terms: A fire door is designed to resist the spread of fire and Read more »
Correct installation is critical to fire door performance. Even a fully certified FD30 or FD60 fire door will fail if it is not installed in accordance with recognised standards. BS 8214:2016 is the British Standard that sets out the code of practice for the correct installation of fire-resisting timber doorsets and door assemblies in the Read more »
The difference between FD30 and FD60 fire doors comes down to fire resistance time, compartmentation requirements and regulatory compliance under UK fire safety law. These are the two most common fire door ratings used in UK buildings. Understanding the difference between FD30 and FD60 fire doors is essential for meeting UK fire door regulations and Read more »
If your premises legally require a Fire Risk Assessment but none has been carried out, you are not simply missing a piece of paperwork — you are in breach of fire safety law. Under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must carry out a suitable and sufficient Fire Read more »
For many Responsible Persons and duty holders under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, an inspection by the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) can feel daunting. Unlike an internal review or consultancy check, an FRS audit is a formal fire safety inspection carried out under statutory powers to assess compliance with the Regulatory Reform Read more »
For Responsible Persons overseeing multi-occupied residential buildings — including housing associations, managing agents, freeholders, supported housing providers and local authorities — evacuation compliance is becoming an increasingly critical area of focus. From 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 introduce new legal duties designed to improve the safety of residents Read more »
