The facilities management sector is entering a new era, where data, technology and predictive insights are transforming how buildings are maintained, operated and optimised. For decades, the Building Engineering Services Association’s SFG20 standard has provided the industry with a trusted framework for building maintenance. Since its introduction in 1990, the
Bradstone, a member of Holcim UK, has launched a major new whitepaper, Promoting Safety in the Public Realm, calling for a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to designing and managing safer public spaces across the UK. It is the first output from a new working group assembled by Bradstone, comprising landscape
Winvic Construction Ltd has officially launched a major new ESG whitepaper at UKREiiF 2026, calling for stronger regulatory alignment to support the delivery of net zero carbon aligned buildings across the UK built environment. Published in conjunction with the Westminster body, The Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the whitepaper – From Commitment to
Building envelope solutions provider wienerberger UK & Ireland has achieved independent Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment for their Roof Tiles & Fittings product set. This latest assessment builds on wienerberger’s milestone from Spring 2025, when it became the first UK manufacturer to secure CCPI assessment for its UK-manufactured
The Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB), Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Panel is seeking industry perspectives on the Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). The regulations apply to all commercial and domestic construction projects, regardless of size or duration, to ensure all jobs are subject to safety standards that reduce risks for everyone involved in each stage a project. The Health & Safety Executive
The Alhambra Centre in Barnsley, once a shopping centre, is undergoing a major transformation into a town centre health hub. This redevelopment aims to alleviate growing pressures on Barnsley Hospital by providing easily accessible healthcare services in a more central location. To support this transition, the interior design required a
Bradford College is celebrating after its new Junction Mills building earned platinum certification from Morgan Sindall Construction for outstanding carbon savings, the only project in Yorkshire to achieve the status in 2025. The £19.3 million, four-storey development on Thornton Road has saved 473 tonnes of carbon over its design and
Technicians suspended nearly 140 metres in the air carried out tests on the concrete and steel of St Johns Beacon in Liverpool using specialist rope access techniques. RSK Group company CAN Structures was contracted to carry out a defect survey and concrete testing of the iconic Grade II listed communications
With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes. The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall
By Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘fit and forget’ – especially when it comes to a whole host of installed safety equipment. Ensuring you’re keeping on top
The facilities management sector is entering a new era, where data, technology and predictive insights are transforming how buildings are maintained, operated and optimised. For decades, the Building Engineering Services Association’s SFG20 standard has provided the industry with a trusted framework for building maintenance. Since its introduction in 1990, the standard has helped facilities managers establish consistency across maintenance programmes, procurement processes and engineering operations. Today, SFG20 continues to underpin best practice, offering thousands of maintenance schedules covering a vast range of building assets. However, modern buildings are significantly different from those of previous generations. Advances in digital technology, smart systems and connected infrastructure mean that many assets now generate detailed operational data, providing real-time insights into performance, efficiency and condition. According to Andre Bothma, Managing Director – Strategic Asset Management & Energy at Bellrock, the industry now has an opportunity to move beyond traditional one-size-fits-all maintenance strategies and embrace a more intelligent, responsive approach. Rather than relying solely on fixed maintenance schedules, predictive facilities management platforms can analyse asset performance continuously, helping engineering teams identify issues before they escalate into costly failures. By combining operational data, environmental factors and usage patterns, facilities managers can make more informed decisions and deploy resources where they deliver the greatest value. This evolution is not about replacing established maintenance standards. Instead, it is about enhancing them through technology, creating dynamic maintenance strategies that adapt to the specific requirements of individual buildings and assets. A manufacturing facility operating in a demanding industrial environment, for example, may require a very different maintenance approach from a modern office building, despite containing similar equipment. The benefits are substantial. Intelligent maintenance programmes can reduce unnecessary callouts, improve workforce efficiency, lower operational costs and enhance energy performance. Bellrock reports that clients adopting predictive maintenance approaches have achieved energy savings of around 20%, while improving long-term asset performance and lifecycle planning. As buildings become increasingly connected and data-rich, facilities management is evolving from reactive maintenance towards proactive asset optimisation. By combining proven standards with intelligent technology, the industry is creating smarter, more sustainable buildings capable of delivering greater efficiency, improved performance and long-term value for owners and occupiers alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradstone, a member of Holcim UK, has launched a major new whitepaper, Promoting Safety in the Public Realm, calling for a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to designing and managing safer public spaces across the UK. It is the first output from a new working group assembled by Bradstone, comprising landscape architects, academic partners, NGOs and industry professionals to examine how safety is understood, experienced and delivered in the built environment. The whitepaper pulls in recent research from the University of Leeds and West Yorkshire Combined Authority which reveal that fences and walls around park edges make parks feel less safe due to reducing escape routes, while busier parks feel safer due to passive surveillance from other people. Meanwhile, stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 37% of women stop walking in quiet places after dark due to safety concerns. Contributors to the whitepaper include Jo Roberts (Holcim UK), Dr Anna Barker (University of Leeds), Romy Rawlings (Landscape Institute / Deep Green), Ben Gill (One Planet), and Iwonan Kossek (Ask for Angela). Together, they argue there is a growing urgency to tackle safety in public spaces as, despite having a direct influence on each, the issue continues to receive less attention than other urban issues, such as decarbonisation, regeneration and public health. A central theme of the whitepaper is the need for a shared, cross-sector understanding of what ‘safety’ actually means. The working group emphasises the distinction between actual safety (objective risk) and perceived safety (subjective experience), noting that perception often shapes behaviour more strongly than reality. Jo Roberts, Head of Product Management at Holcim UK, said: “We are now reaching a point where familiar ideas of ‘safety’ are being re-examined – not only as a matter of physical design but as a measure of how people feel and belong in the places they share with others. This whitepaper is about creating a shared language, grounded in evidence, that helps the industry design environments where everyone feels safe, connected and confident to move freely.” Also identified in the paper are barriers that currently impede progress – from the sheer volume of unstructured guidance to persistent misconceptions, such as the belief that safety is solely about crime reduction or that more lighting or CCTV are always the most effective solutions. Drawing on successful work across the country, the report sets out a suite of practical, evidence-based interventions for landscape architects, planners and local authorities. These include clearer sightlines, passive surveillance, typology-specific design, improved wayfinding, and co-production with communities – particularly groups who may feel excluded or unsafe. Alongside this, it emphasises the importance of robust data, pointing to emerging tools such as the Safer Parks Dashboard, which brings together spatial and safety data to help practitioners prioritise interventions. Jo said: “Improving safety in the public realm is essential for healthier communities, stronger local economies and more inclusive cities. We’re calling for closer collaboration between industry, academia and the public sector to ensure that safety becomes a core pillar of built-environment decision-making.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd has officially launched a major new ESG whitepaper at UKREiiF 2026, calling for stronger regulatory alignment to support the delivery of net zero carbon aligned buildings across the UK built environment. Published in conjunction with the Westminster body, The Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the whitepaper – From Commitment to Compliance: Why the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Needs Regulatory Backing – argues that the industry is now ready to move beyond ambition towards measurable, verified operational performance, but requires policy and regulatory support to enable consistent adoption at scale. The paper explores the opportunities and challenges surrounding the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), which launched earlier this year following extensive industry collaboration. Drawing on insights from a Westminster roundtable and interviews with representatives across development, investment, construction, planning, sustainability and policy makers the report sets out practical recommendations for government, industry and investors to accelerate delivery. Contributors and participants include the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Building Research Establishment (BRE), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), BWB Consulting, Firethorn Trust, Panattoni, Ridge and Partners, Royal London Asset Management, UMC Architects, Wordsworth Excavations, Lord Gary Porter CBE and Lancaster City Council. The whitepaper identifies regulatory alignment as the single greatest enabler of market-wide adoption, highlighting that the barriers to net zero delivery are no longer primarily technical. Key recommendations include embedding the UKNZCBS into national planning and regulatory frameworks, mandating operational performance verification, aligning financial mechanisms with verified carbon outcomes, and improving consistency across ESG and carbon reporting standards. The publication was formally launched during UKREiiF at the ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of net zero policy, delivery and accountability across the built environment. The launch forms part of Winvic’s wider presence at UKREiiF during its milestone 25th year in business. Alongside the whitepaper launch, the contractor is hosting a programme of panel discussions and collaborative sessions focused on sustainability, planning reform, social value, industrial and logistics development, data centres and build-to-rent. Arun Thaneja, Technical Services and Sustainability Director at Winvic, said: “The publication of this whitepaper marks a defining moment for the built environment sector. With the launch of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, the industry now has a credible and consistent framework to measure real operational performance, but turning ambition into measurable impact at scale will require far greater alignment across policy, regulation and delivery. “Developed through collaboration with organisations from across the built environment, the whitepaper sets out both the significant opportunities ahead and the critical barriers that we must still overcome. The sector has shown it is ready to move beyond aspiration and into accountability and our hope is that these recommendations will help accelerate the next phase of practical, measurable and scalable net zero delivery across the UK.” For further information or to request a copy of the whitepaper, please visit the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at the Pavilion Avenue and Courtyard or contact sustainability@winvic.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building envelope solutions provider wienerberger UK & Ireland has achieved independent Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment for their Roof Tiles & Fittings product set. This latest assessment builds on wienerberger’s milestone from Spring 2025, when it became the first UK manufacturer to secure CCPI assessment for its UK-manufactured bricks and pavers. With more product groups now progressing through the assessment process, the business continues to advance its ambition to be the trusted expert partner for clients, specifiers, and supply chain stakeholders. The CCPI framework is designed to raise standards across construction product information and marketing, ensuring the industry moves toward product data that is accurate, consistent, accessible, and easy to understand. In addition to driving consistency in product information, CCPI assessment helps manufacturers stay aligned with forthcoming regulatory requirements, ensuring they remain agile as the industry continues to evolve. As wienerberger prepares to put additional product groups from its wall, roof, heating, and water management portfolio forward for assessment, the business continues to prioritise independently validated product information as part of its commitment to supporting responsible decision-making for those designing, supplying, and building with its solutions. Paul Instrell, Chief Commercial Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland, said: “Since achieving CCPI assessment for our UK-manufactured bricks and pavers last year, we’ve continued to see growing interest in adoption across our customer base. Extending CCPI assessment to our roof product portfolio is an important step in demonstrating our dedication to clarity, transparency, and trust in product information. The CCPI plays a critical role in raising standards and we are pleased to be part of that progression.” For more information about wienerberger UK & Ireland, please visit www.wienerberger.co.uk. To learn more about the CCPI and how to achieve verification, visit www.cpicode.org.uk or contact enquiries@cpicode.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB), Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Panel is seeking industry perspectives on the Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). The regulations apply to all commercial and domestic construction projects, regardless of size or duration, to ensure all jobs are subject to safety standards that reduce risks for everyone involved in each stage a project. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) intended CDM 2015 to reduce bureaucracy for example by requiring fewer forms and reducing duplication. However, there is a sense of feeling across the industry that there remains room for improvements, particularly in light of how the regulations fit with new safety legislation such as the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been introduced since the CDM regulations were formed. CIOB has launched a short survey to gather views on how the regulations are currently interpreted and enforced, and how widespread formal training on the regulations is accessed, as well as their effectiveness and what, if anything, can be improved. Ben Powell, Chair of CIOB’s Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Panel, said: “We hear that for many people, including designers, contractors and clients, the current CDM regulations are a constant source of frustration with varying degrees of understanding over who is responsible for what. There are also questions around the effectiveness of the regulations when we still see so many incidents involving falls from height for example. “Therefore, just over a decade on from the regulations being introduced, we think it’s important to gather some quantitative data on how they’re being interpreted and applied throughout projects, and where appropriate how they could evolve to reflect the construction landscape in 2026.” CIOB intends to use the findings of the survey to develop recommendations for the HSE and policy makers on how and where the current CDM regulations can be improved. The survey closes on April 30 2026, and can be found here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/iDhcBAkPtK Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Alhambra Centre in Barnsley, once a shopping centre, is undergoing a major transformation into a town centre health hub. This redevelopment aims to alleviate growing pressures on Barnsley Hospital by providing easily accessible healthcare services in a more central location. To support this transition, the interior design required a ceiling solution that met rigorous hygiene and acoustic standards while delivering strong aesthetic impact. CHALLENGE The project team faced several key challenges in transforming the Alhambra Centre into a functional and welcoming health hub. Aesthetic appeal was one of the top priorities, as the space required a fresh, modern look with a visually impactful ceiling design that would not only impress visitors but also create a calming and visually comfortable environment or all users. Hygiene compliance was equally important. Given the building’s new role as a healthcare facility, all materials, including ceiling systems, needed to meet strict hospital-grade hygiene standards to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for patients and staff. Acoustic performance also had to be carefully considered. A calm, quiet atmosphere is essential in healthcare settings, especially in waiting areas and treatment rooms. The team needed a ceiling solution that could help manage sound effectively to promote patient comfort and well-being. Lastly, service integration and accessibility presented a practical challenge. The ceiling system had to accommodate complex mechanical and electrical installations while still allowing easy access for future maintenance, ensuring long-term functionality without compromising design. SOLUTION Following a CPD session with Zentia and a review of relevant case studies, the architectural team, James Totty Partnership, selected a range of Zentia ceiling solutions to address the project’s diverse and complex requirements. In the reception and waiting areas, the architect envisioned a bold, eye-catching ceiling feature to make a strong first impression. They opted for Sonify Curved Baffles in a mixture of green and black, installed on the patented Sonify Create grid system. This combination not only delivered the striking visual impact they were after, but also provided Class A sound absorption to ensure patients would be in an acoustically comfortable space. For the circulation spaces, the team chose Prestige SL2 Planks. These were selected for their modern, streamlined appearance and, importantly, their ease of accessibility. In areas with frequent foot traffic and the need for ongoing service access, these planks offer a practical and efficient solution that supports long-term maintenance without compromising the aesthetic. In the clinical and utility areas, performance and hygiene were essential. The team specified Biobloc Acoustic tiles for treatment rooms and general medical zones, where sound control and cleanliness are essential. The Biobloc Acoustic tile delivers both excellent sound absorption, and compliance with hospital-grade hygiene standards, such as the Health Building Note 00-10 Part B: Walls and Ceilings, due to its additional coating that actively inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. For high-moisture environments such as shower rooms, Hydrabloc was chosen for its 100% Humidity Resistance (RH), water resistance, and easy-clean properties, ensuring both durability and safety in demanding conditions. However, Zentia’s involvement did not end with supplying products. The team delivered a full Sonify 3D Studio design service, working closely with the architects to bring the ceiling vision to life. In addition, Zentia collaborated with main contractor’s O&P Construction and installers JR Whinfrey Ltd to provide detailed system walkthroughs, support with quotations and order planning, and on-site guidance during installation to ensure a smooth project delivery. The redesigned Alhambra Centre is set to become a welcoming, efficient health hub with ceilings that do more than cover the space – they define it. With bold design statements in public areas and robust technical performance in clinical zones, Zentia’s ceiling systems have helped ensure the redevelopment meets both functional demands and architectural ambition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford College is celebrating after its new Junction Mills building earned platinum certification from Morgan Sindall Construction for outstanding carbon savings, the only project in Yorkshire to achieve the status in 2025. The £19.3 million, four-storey development on Thornton Road has saved 473 tonnes of carbon over its design and construction phases—equivalent to the annual heating of 175 UK homes. The building is scheduled to open later this year and will provide students with skills in modern automotive and digital engineering, electric and hybrid vehicles, and advanced manufacturing, supporting low-carbon and technology-focused skills in West Yorkshire. Morgan Sindall achieved the milestone through its Intelligent Solutions approach, which included the use of CarboniCa, a tool that measures whole-life carbon emissions across a building’s design, construction and lifecycle. Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College, said: “Sustainability has been embedded into every stage of this project. For example, precast elements such as lift shafts and stairs have been manufactured off-site using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability in the building’s construction. “This new facility represents a significant leap in how we equip young people with the skills needed for a low-carbon economy, so it is fitting that a building dedicated to low-carbon skills should be constructed with sustainability at its core.” Design and material optimisations contributed significantly to carbon reductions, including: Morgan Sindall awarded the project platinum certification in recognition of both the volume of carbon saved and the number of case studies documenting the work. Bradford College also received £5,000 from Morgan Sindall to support a sustainability initiative. Junction Mills additionally achieved a full score in the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Care for the Environment category, highlighting efforts to minimise environmental impact and enhance natural surroundings. Ben Hall, Morgan Sindall’s Yorkshire area director, said: “Achieving platinum certification on the Junction Mills development demonstrates what is possible when sustainability is embedded from the outset of a project. By applying our Intelligent Solutions approach and working collaboratively with Bradford College, we’ve delivered significant whole-life carbon savings while creating a highly functional, future-focused learning environment. “Junction Mills will leave a lasting legacy for students, the College, and the wider West Yorkshire region and it’s a project we’re immensely proud to be part of.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technicians suspended nearly 140 metres in the air carried out tests on the concrete and steel of St Johns Beacon in Liverpool using specialist rope access techniques. RSK Group company CAN Structures was contracted to carry out a defect survey and concrete testing of the iconic Grade II listed communications tower following previous inspections in 2011 and 2015. Work was carried out on the 138-metre-high St Johns Beacon, originally built in 1969, through the night over the course of nine days so that the streets below could be closed during the works. CAN Project Manager Louis Thomas said: “We carried out acoustic hammer tests – tap tests – on the entire concrete façade of the tower. Defects were recorded and depth of carbonation and covermeter tests were taken. The steelwork at the top of the tower and the windows to the ‘doughnut’ also received a full visual inspection. “Access to the underside of the ‘doughnut’ proved particularly challenging. Initial access was gained through lighting openings on the underside of the tower, and we then put up rigging between the adjacent openings. The staging platform we call ‘CAN-Span’ was then winched up from ground level to enable technicians to get within touching distance of the underside of the tower to carry out their inspections.” Louis explained that, for safety, a considerable cordon was necessary. Several roads, footpaths and pedestrian areas within an extended footprint of the tower were closed by Liverpool City Council. Munroe K Asset Management manages the building. Director Roger Fulford said: “The Beacon tower is iconic in Liverpool and, like all buildings, needs to be inspected and maintained. For most buildings, the view while doing so is significantly less dramatic. The information gathered during this inspection will be used to assess maintenance schedules and inform us of the condition of the structure so that it can be future-proofed, ensuring it remains an integral part of the city’s skyline for many years to come.” St Johns Beacon is a notable feature of the city’s skyline and a popular destination for tourists, with the building’s first floor giving visitors 360° panoramic views of the city. It was refurbished between 1999 and 2000 and has been used as a revolving restaurant, a communications tower, offices and a tourist site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes. The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall on site, reduce peak flows to overstretched sewers and support passive irrigation and biodiversity on roof areas. The guide, titled ‘ACO Blue Roof Guide – Vol 2’, follows the success of ACO’s first volume of its Blue Roof Guide, launched in October 2024, and builds on the criteria established for safe and sustainable drainage. Sustainability is a core principle of ACO’s work and this has been recognised in the company’s appointment as United Nations ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The second volume of the Blue Roof Guide is evidence of ACO’s commitment to clean water, sustainability, and supporting the construction industry in creating an eco-friendly future. Volume 2 sets out the principles of off-membrane storage and offers practical design and delivery advice for architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors. It highlights blue roofs as an increasingly important tool in urban developments by storing water temporarily and releasing it slowly to lessen flood risk while enabling green and biosolar roof functions to coexist without compromising waterproofing. Technical sections go into detail about ACO’s patented RoofBloxx system: a shallow, high-strength geocellular attenuation layer designed to sit independently of the roof membrane. Implementation and installation are also discussed, including together with the proper use of flow restrictors, access and diffuser units, capillary wicks and reservoir trays. When combined, these components manage run-off rates, support passive irrigation for sedum and planted systems, and reduce the need for heavy ballast by stabilising insulation. Neill Robinson-Welsh, who has led more than 750 blue roof projects during his 14 years with ACO, said: “Blue roofs are no longer an optional extra but a practical response to the twin pressures of heavier rainfall and growing water stress. Our approach uses ACO RoofBloxx to store water off the waterproofing layer, simplifying integration with green and biosolar elements and reducing the risk of membrane failure. The new guide reflects what we’ve learned on real projects and sets out design and maintenance steps that make blue roofs reliable.” Practical chapters focus on early-stage coordination, addressing outlet positioning, roof slope and structural implications, as well as maintenance-friendly design through permanent access chambers and twice-yearly inspections, and emphasising the importance of accurate hydraulic calculations to meet planning limits while preserving architectural constraints. ACO stresses that designers need to treat blue roofs as system integration exercises, and by coordinating landscape, photovoltaics and other services early it will help to avoid late, costly revisions. Volume 2 is positioned as a hands-on resource for teams planning multifunctional roofs where water management, ecology and service access must all be reconciled. To download the guide, see ACO.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘fit and forget’ – especially when it comes to a whole host of installed safety equipment. Ensuring you’re keeping on top of all of your installed safety systems is essential, especially when it comes to fire safety. The notion that fire safety is a one-time box-ticking exercise from years gone by couldn’t be further from reality. Those in a position of authority must undertake a continuous journey to keep up with the fire safety lifecycle. Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus takes a closer look at the importance of keeping on top of the fire safety lifecycle, with actionable tips on taking control for build owners and facilities managers. Why Fire Safety Requires Ongoing Attention The attitude of ‘fit and forget’ has long been an issue within the industry, which is a huge issue when it comes to fire safety. When investing in high-quality systems, in theory, they should stand the test of time and not require any real intervention – but it’s essential that building managers, developers and facilities managers keep on top of maintaining and upgrading fire safety systems. Even the most robust fire safety systems require regular testing and maintenance, and there’s good reason for this: System Deterioration – Over time, any system will begin to run into issues, especially if not maintained by a competent professional regularly. Changing Regulations – While regulations aren’t changing regularly, it’s important to keep on top of any regulations that do change and how this impacts your existing safety set-up. For example, the impact the 2024 update to BS991 had on smoke control. Human Error & Oversights – While a safety system might appear to be in good working order after being installed, there’s always a chance that something may have been missed in the initial installation that hasn’t been picked up. Changes in Facilities Use – If, for any reason, there’s a change to your premises’ primary function, there could be implications for how safety systems are used and what regulations now apply. There are a whole host of reasons that fire safety requires ongoing attention, with one of the most important being in compliance with section 3 of the ONS’ Fire Prevention and Protection statistics, which relates to fire protection and formal & informal notices. If your building fails a fire audit, the repercussions can be severe, with several informal and formal notification categories depending on the severity of non-compliance. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 8,666 breaches of compliance relating to fire-safety equipment maintenance (Article 17), which highlights the issues currently facing the industry when it comes to keeping up with fire safety obligations. The Fire-Safety Lifecycle Approach Fully understanding and implementing the fire safety lifecycle approach is complex, but extremely worthwhile for those who work in (M&E) and facilities management. Neglect at any stage can impose risk, leading to fines, legal liability or in the worst case, the loss of life. This is why proactive management is essential in fire safety. Here’s an in-depth look at the 5 stages involved in the fire safety lifecycle: An essential stage, this ensures that the fire safety system is appropriate for the building’s specific use, occupancy and risk profile. This stage is especially critical when undertaking a refurbishment of an existing building, or if there’s a change of use for the property. The following should be put in place during this stage: Fire Strategy – Hire a fire and safety consultant to define what is required from the system you are implementing. System Selection & Specification – Ensure the correct type of system is selected and establish requirements based on building codes and standards. For example, addressable vs conventional fire alarms, or wet pipe vs dry pipe sprinklers and smoke ventilation requirements, such as roof AOVs or smoke control dampers . Documentation – Begin developing design specifications and the Golden Thread of information, ensuring you have accurate and up-to-date records of your building’s fire safety. The Golden Thread & Why It’s Important The Golden Thread is an integral part of building managers, developers and facilities managers roles, with a digital, secure and tamper-proof record of information on the buildings design, construction and management throughout its entire lifecycle. Following the Grenfell Enquiry, and subsequent Building Safety Act 2022 being instated, the Golden Thread played a key role in providing a digital alternative to the historic paper file system ensures that all of the building safety information is accurate, accessible and used to mitigate safety risks. During this stage, it’s essential to consider the longevity of the solution you’re looking to install. For example, at Sertus, we pride ourselves on all of our smoke ventilation products standing the test of time, thanks to meticulous design, in-house manufacturing and unrivalled technical support after install. Now that the planning and design are in place, it’s time to put the physical aspects of your fire safety equipment into place with a trusted supplier and installer. Here’s an overview of the steps you should take: Appoint Contractors – Take time to pick a trusted partner to carry out the installation and ensure that all installers onsite are certified and competent. It’s essential to pick a contractor that you’re confident in, so take the time to get this stage right and ask for recommendations. For example, if you are having smoke ventilation installed, it’s important to ensure your contractor of choice has the relevant qualifications such as the SDI19 certification or SKEB (Skills Knowledge, Experience, Behaviours). Quality Assurance – It’s essential that you carry out regular site inspections to personally verify that the installation follows the approved design and fire strategy. You’ll be held responsible for any problems, so take the time to properly check all aspects of the installation. Commissioning – An essential part of the process, commissioning refers to testing the