Injecta Fire Barrier, the UK’s leading independent installer of passive fire protection systems, is now offering free CPD sessions focused on cavity and compartment fire barriers. Tailored for contractors, surveyors, architects, and fire engineers, the sessions explore best practices, system-tested components, and the practical use of the Injectaclad solution—supporting compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022. Key benefits of the Injectaclad solution: “Our CPD sessions are designed to provide practical insight into passive fire protection and compartmentation—enabling project teams to make informed, regulation-compliant decisions without invasive façade work,” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director. Injectaclad is a fire-retardant graphite-based acrylic sealant that restricts fire spread through existing wall cavities—providing a proven, compliant solution for upgrading fire safety. To book a session or learn more, please contact: becky.preston@injectafirebarrier.com More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Two significant industrial fires broke out on June 21st at opposite ends of the country, destroying commercial buildings, disrupting local communities and tying up vast fire and rescue resources.  Sadly, neither of the buildings had sprinklers. In Calne, Wiltshire, 35 firefighters were called to the Porte Marsh Industrial Estate when a fire broke out at the QSIL metals facility, a specialist manufacturer involved in high-end machining and metal finishing. The fire consumed a 1,500m² unit, with smoke visible for miles. Crews worked for hours to bring the incident under control, and local roads were closed as a precaution. On the same day in Enfield, Essex, over 80 firefighters and 12 appliances from Hertfordshire and Essex County Fire and Rescue Services were deployed to a major warehouse fire in Enfield. The blaze engulfed a 3,600m² building operated by kitchenware distributor SQ Professional. With no sprinkler protection, the fire spread rapidly, forcing emergency services to urge local residents to keep windows and doors shut due to toxic smoke. Crews remained on the scene overnight to dampen down hotspots. The SQ warehouse is located next to a Tesco Fulfilment Centre, a modern, high-risk logistics hub protected by automatic sprinklers. Fire crews appeared to be actively defending this neighbouring site from potential fire spread. While no injuries were reported in either incident, the scale of the response speaks volumes. The two fires required the mobilisation of more than 115 firefighters, extensive fire control assets, and coordination across counties. Local roads were closed, businesses disrupted, and in Calne, key industrial activity was brought to a halt. These two locations were modest in size by modern standards and yet they required extensive resources with outcomes that saw the location severely damaged. These events are a sobering reminder of the stark consequences of failing to invest in proven fire protection systems. “We are seeing, time and again, the immense pressure that industrial fires place on both businesses and the emergency services,” said Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “These fires not only damaged buildings and livelihoods, they tied up life-saving resources for hours, caused environmental harm, and disrupted communities. These cases were modestly sized and we build much larger facilities, with similar hazards, without sprinklers.” This double blow mirrors a growing pattern across the UK where industrial and commercial premises, often packed with combustible materials or high-value machinery, lack basic fire suppression systems. By contrast, incidents in sprinkler-protected buildings tend to be quickly contained or extinguished before the fire can escalate. This limits damage, preserves business continuity, and drastically reduces the strain on fire crews. In the absence of sprinklers, every second counts, and every fire has potential to become a major incident. As these two June 21st fires show, the consequences go far beyond the building itself. Fires in unsprinklered buildings continue to utilise considerable resources and still pose a serious threat to business resilience, jobs, and public safety. For more information about the BSA visit the www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

As part of a critical project to restore fire safety, leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, has successfully installed regulatory compliant fire barriers within two residential tower blocks in Salford, Manchester. Working alongside Quaysquare Consult Limited, Injecta Fire Barrier installed the innovative Injectaclad system within the horizontal cavities of two 10-story tower blocks to enhance fire safety. The unintrusive installation method of Injectaclad ensured the Salford residents could remain inside and undisturbed while the graphite sealant substance was inserted into the buildings. “Our collaboration with Quaysquare Consult Limited has enabled us to install this life-saving solution for the residents of Salford with minimal disturbance to residents. Their new fire barrier not only enhances safety but also offers a cost-effective remediation approach that avoids more expensive, invasive structural alterations – all while complying with the latest safety regulations” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. Compliant to regulations such as the Fire Safety Act (2021) and Building Safety Act (2022), Injectaclad is a fire-retardant material that’s pumped into mesh socks then inserted into buildings using a patented installation method. As an intumescent material, Injectaclad expands when exposed to heat, effectively sealing cavities to prevent the spread of flames and smoke. This provides residents with critical extra time to safely evacuate in the event of a fire. “With Injectaclad offering an easier alternative to traditional fire safety improvements, such as the removal of cladding or external façade, property developers can significantly reduce both project costs and installation times during remediation projects. Thanks to these advantages, we’ve been busy installing Injectaclad in high-rise structures across the UK, including this most recent project in Salford” adds Shaun. As the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier has established itself as a trusted partner in the fire protection industry. The company’s mission aligns with the growing demand for passive fire safety solutions following the Grenfell tower tragedy and subsequent regulatory reforms. To guarantee quality and compliance throughout their installations, Injecta Fire Barrier utilises the FireArrest software to GPS-track all injection points and deliver comprehensive reporting to the client. “As fire safety regulations become increasingly stringent, passive fire protection solutions like Injectaclad are proving essential for property developers seeking long-term safety – particularly those aiming to keep operations running or allow residents to remain in place during remediation” concludes Shaun. More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/  More information about Quaysquare Consult Ltd can be found at: www.quaysquare.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

With the ever-increasing need for secure fire-resistant storage, especially in residential and commercial developments, the application of fireproof safe technology is emerging as a complex consideration for construction experts. This article focuses on these systems, their selection considerations, and their integration with contemporary security frameworks. Over 147,000 fire incidents in England were reported in 2023, according to the UK Home Office’s Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics. An overwhelming share of these amounted to residential fires. As is typical, fire detection and suppression systems are integrated into the building’s specifications, however, safekeeping sensitive and irreplaceable items remains inadequately addressed at the design stage. This article investigates the integration of fireproof safes into construction and refurbishment projects. It navigates the practical challenges that selection of products poses and considers the alignment of storage subtility by contractors, developers, and facilities managers in the context of advanced fire protection policies. The Importance Fireproof Safes Have in Construction Fireproof safes are not regarded as additional features for users, but rather built into as security systems in new constructions and during renovations. These safes are used for securing documentation pertaining to the construction of a building, tenant possessions, and even sensitive digital media, all while offering protection against fire, unauthorised access, and breach. Due to recognized standards like EN 15659 and UL 72, modern fireproof safes are tested to endure high temperatures for specific durations, typically 30, 60 and, in some cases, 120 minutes. In more advanced structures like mixed-use or commercial offices, the ability to protect sensitive contents such as legal contracts, legal digital backups, and even legal records from fire damage is becoming a tier one requirement and is often included for specification writing. Balanced and dynamic risk management is becoming prevalent as construction teams work alongside facilities to determine if static, concealed, or floor-mounted storage will best fit a building’s operational and security needs early on.  Understanding the Role of Fireproof Safes in Construction Choosing a fireproof safe involves balancing fire protection, security rating, and intended use. Fireproof safes are often rated not only by how much heat they can withstand, but also how much physical attack they can endure, usually according to standards like the European EN 14450 or the EN 1143-1 for higher security applications. A safe’s internal layout can differ greatly depending on whether the contents are paper documents, digital media, or cash and jewellery. For example, data safes require additional internal insulation and moisture control because electronic devices and hard drives are more sensitive to heat and humidity than paper. In the construction of fireproof safes, the method of installation also affects the weight. Most large units need reinforced flooring or fixed anchorage points to secure them in place. For construction projects with limited space, wall-mounted or underfloor units save square footage without compromising internal layout design. Typically, fire resistance ratings are broken down by how long they last, for example, 60 or 120 minutes of protection, as well as by the type of content. Understanding the specific rating and certification is essential during product selection because a safe rated for 60 minutes protecting paper may not digitally safeguard data for the same duration. Key Considerations for Selecting Fireproof Storage As risks of fire and theft continue across the built environment, residential and commercial schemes are integrating secure storage into the early stages of the planning process. For residential projects, especially more luxurious or multi-unit apartments, demand for built-in security is leading to the installation of fireproof safes during fit-outs. In commercial contexts, secure storage is routinely incorporated in server rooms, finance offices, or document storage. Increasingly, office buildings are installing safes not only for security, but also as part of comprehensive disaster recovery plans to shield vital materials from external threats, fire, and tampering. In these public sector buildings, including schools and healthcare facilities, the provision of fireproof storage enables compliance with data protection and record-keeping legislation. Safes in such settings are frequently used for personal records, medication logs, or digital equipment, forming part of an overarching risk mitigation strategy. More and more construction professionals are considering these requirements during the mechanical as well as electrical planning stages, so that installation of systems by subcontractors dealing with HVAC, electrical, and access systems is performed in a safe manner and does not interfere with other systems. Looking Ahead As we know from the construction of screw thread fireproof safes, fire as an operational threat is becoming a concern. These structures incorporate sophisticated safety and security features, while fireproof safes are increasingly common, no longer an afterthought. Given the rigorous testing these safes undergo and their design for various applications, they will osutn—be useful for numerous enduring regions in the constructed environment. For some industries, such as legal practices, healthcare, education, and high-end residential properties, where document retention, data protection, and asset preservation are of primary importance, this is particularly remarkable. The use of fireproof safes signifies a shift toward fortification building architecture. With policies now focusing more on risk exposure and continuity planning, secure storage systems will soon become standard in design briefs. Moreover, advanced material technologies and small form factors enable these units to be spatially and visually unobtrusive. Their integration is increasingly becoming a rational approach in contemporary building design.

In a world where safety, compliance and reliability are non-negotiable, one manufacturer is proving that quality fire protection and expert craftsmanship can go hand-in-hand. Based in Barton, Preston, Better Fire Doors has firmly established itself as the North’s leading provider of timber fire doors and fire-rated screens — trusted across residential, education and healthcare sectors. With a purpose-built manufacturing facility and accreditation under the BWF Certifire scheme, Better Fire Doors offers fully certified FD30, FD60 and FD120 doors. These products not only meet stringent UK fire safety regulations but are also tailored to deliver high performance, style and long-term durability. The company’s product range includes bespoke and pre-hung door sets, flush and glazed options, as well as factory-fitted ironmongery, enabling faster installation and reducing time spent on site. They also offer fully glazed fire screens, tested to provide integrity and insulation for up to 60 minutes — a perfect fit for modern buildings where aesthetics must balance strict compliance. Beyond fire protection, Better Fire Doors delivers solutions for high-demand environments. In education, doors are designed to withstand constant use while meeting severe-duty fire and acoustic performance standards. In healthcare, the firm provides hygienic, robust doors for hospitals, clinics and care homes — always combining ease of access with safety and a therapeutic design touch. What truly sets Better Fire Doors apart is their comprehensive in-house joinery expertise. From handcrafted staircases and traditional windows to bespoke kitchens and outdoor structures, their attention to detail and use of both traditional skills and CAD planning ensures each project is delivered to exacting standards. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed — the firm was recently named Best Fire Door Manufacturer 2023 – Northern England, a reflection of their commitment to British manufacturing and industry-leading service. In an industry where fire safety saves lives, Better Fire Doors continues to push boundaries — offering better quality, better design, and ultimately, better protection. Contact Better Fire Doors:📞 07731 454 121🌐 www.betterfiredoors.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals