Where school groups are faced with budgetary constraints, decision makers can’t afford to neglect fire safety. Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explains how responsible persons can use the summer break to extend the service life of fire doors in school buildings. By the time August arrives, it’s official – school
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops
Faithful+Gould (member of the SNC-Lavalin Group), is working in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to launch a first-of-its-kind national decarbonisation programme – to include organisations from across the emergency services sector. The world-leading project and programme management consultancy will become the key team to lead on the
Leading the future of fire safety Date: 17 October 2023 Location: Savoy Place, London and online BOOK NOW Planning for the annual FIRE Conference is well underway for 2023! We look forward to bringing the fire sector together once again to network with peers, share knowledge, and learn about the
Yesterday, Monday 24 July 2023, the Government confirmed that they will adopt an 18-metre height threshold for second staircases in all new residential buildings. In a huge win for RIBA’s cross-sector campaign on this issue, the Government noted that the new fire safety measure comes in response to expert bodies’ united calls. Since March, a RIBA-led coalition spanning the built environment, fire
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to support and raise awareness of sprinklers at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Built Environment Conference Series, taking place in Cardiff and Salford in June 2023. Following the theme of Performance, Compliance and Safety, CABE’s Built Environment England and Wales Conferences
Fire crews from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a massive fire at a commercial building in South Wigston. The early morning blaze at Paragon destroyed much of the facility and will result in work being redistributed and staff redeployed at other locations in the wider group.
With fire safety obligations on the rise for Responsible Person’s (RPs), Ian Bailey, Technical Advisor at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), underlines the immediate actions that RPs must take to ensure compliance and how the institution plans to safeguard professional standards. As we await the implementation of Section 156
FIRE safety businesses across Scotland are being offered the chance to bid for potential work worth up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies. A leading Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for it its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024.
Andy Vooght looks at the use of fire rated glazing for passive fire protection in residential buildings. Glass has been used for fire resistance in buildings since the introduction of wired glasses in the late 1920s. Knowledge and materials have evolved significantly over the years and the specific requirements for
Where school groups are faced with budgetary constraints, decision makers can’t afford to neglect fire safety. Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explains how responsible persons can use the summer break to extend the service life of fire doors in school buildings. By the time August arrives, it’s official – school is out for summer. For students and staff alike, the summer holiday is a precious period of recreation and recuperation, but for most education facilities, the annual break presents an opportune time to complete much needed refurbishment and remedial work. Fire safety is a core area for concern in particular, where according to the Fire Industry Association (FIA), one in 20 schools experience fire in their buildings. Fires can cause school buildings immeasurable damage, and in response – and as stated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – designated responsible persons must conduct ongoing risk assessments to help identify potential hazards within their premises. Yet, in 2022, research conducted by Allegion UK into the impact of fire doors in education facilities found that almost half of decision makers had encountered issues with fire doors in their buildings, with over half of respondents also revealing they were not aware of fire door maintenance procedures. As such, responsible persons are urged to make the most of their allotted time and budgets this summer, extending the service life of fire door hardware to help ensure students, staff and visitors are safe and secure when doors once again open for the new term. School Life School buildings are inherently diverse environments. While no two facilities may be the same, it is a legal requirement under British and European law for all academic settings to possess operational fire door sets. New regulation continues to draw focus on fire safety in school buildings too, with guidance from the Building Safety Act shining the light on higher-risk buildings of 18 metres in height (or at least 7 storeys tall), with certain education facilities meeting the criteria and thus required to register as high-risk by 1st October 2023. Naturally, school classrooms and corridors are often bustling with movement and during term time, in high traffic areas, fire doors can be used anywhere between 100’s to 1000’s of times each day. Over time, daily use inevitably leads to wear and tear on fittings and in some cases, fire doors may even experience levels of misuse and abuse. Take the end of each school day for example, where fire doors and their hardware are frequently put to the test as students (and staff) aim to leave the premises quickly. When doors are opened and closed with force, hardware elements can become tired, with poorer quality or incorrectly specified door hardware more prone to damage. To help prevent excessive wear and damage in busier areas, schools may benefit from electromagnetic hold-open devices, which combine wall magnets with existing door closers to aid ease of access and reduce any unnecessary roughness. Similarly, door closers with backcheck control will slow the motion of a door, preventing or minimising contact damage. In the circumstance of a fire, it’s critical that a fire door closes independently and to completion. Damaged door hardware compromises the performance of a fire door, and as such, designated responsible persons, as part of their responsibilities, must ensure escape routes are clear and fire door sets are operating as intended, making note of and replacing any damaged door hardware in the process Protection on a budget While school buildings are closed, decision makers are gifted a period of low foot traffic and a sufficient amount of time to undertake compulsory maintenance periods without interruption. Whereas maintenance is key, research from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has previously revealed education buildings to have the highest average maintenance spend attributed to door hardware. Furthermore, after reviewing school spending as a whole, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimated that school costs would increase by 6% across 2022/23. To support schools, the government continues to invest in projects for new and refurbished buildings through its School Rebuilding Programme. Retrofit projects for example, when approached professionally, can make a considerable difference to a building’s operation – improving its efficiency and fire protection and all without needing to replace the existing fire safety infrastructure. Although, when completing retrofit projects, decision makers must consider high quality, like for like alternatives as using sub-standard components may have the adverse effect – further raising replacement costs later down the line and potentially breaching fire safety regulations in the process. With many academic groups already fearing budget cuts may affect their ability to run facilities as planned, responsible persons are also urged to review their maintenance programmes. Primarily, decision makers can look to decrease their total maintenance spend by choosing more durable products at the product selection stage. The use of higher quality, correctly specified and installed door hardware products will help to lower the rate of sustained wear and damage and thus reduce the costs associated with repair and replacements. The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is an accredited programme designed to present clear, accurate and up-to-date product information, and can assist decision makers in education by helping them to select trusted hardware that conforms to UKCA and CE certifications. Above all, responsible persons must ensure fire doors and their hardware are routinely checked throughout the entirety of the school year, adjusting components where necessary to preserve the operation of fire doors. But while schools are closed, there’s truly no better time to get a head start on preparations and updated regulations – responsible persons must only seek professional advice where unsure. How Allegion UK can Help Allegion UK has a wealth of resources to help responsible persons undertake product selection, installation and maintenance checks on fire doors and hardware. For information on product selection and installation, please speak to our experts or head to our download centre for technical fitting instructions. For post-installation support, Allegion’s simple toolkit provides information and tips on detecting
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops resulting from curtain wall façade and building movement, and the consequential performance requirements for providing effective compartmentation. This includes examining the test standards to look out for when specifying these products. With one set to be released bi-monthly, these Technical Deep Dives break down key application issues in an easy-to-understand and visual way. They have been created to share the knowledge, experience and insights of the manufacturer’s Technical Experts who have worked on all kinds of projects all over the world helping designers and contractors to understand how they can deliver best practice passive fire safety and noise control. Explore the first edition: https://knowledge.siderise.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Faithful+Gould (member of the SNC-Lavalin Group), is working in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to launch a first-of-its-kind national decarbonisation programme – to include organisations from across the emergency services sector. The world-leading project and programme management consultancy will become the key team to lead on the decarbonisation of the blue-light estate, by reducing energy consumption, changing user behaviours and improving sustainability measures. The programme has already seen some major successes, with several organisations within the programme securing funding through Salix’s Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF); the majority of the funding applications led, authored and co-authored by Faithful+Gould. Daniel Jermin, Regional Director and programme lead for Faithful+Gould, said: “The world experienced its hottest day ever recorded in July 2023, breaking the global average temperature record previously set in 2016. It comes as a timely reminder, if one is needed, that the time for taking action on climate change is now. “As such, we are extremely proud to have supported the design of this decarbonisation programme’s operating model and to lead the project in collaboration with NFCC, Fire and Rescue Services and wider blue-light organisations. “We are able to deliver a programme of real change, based on our wide experience of working with clients to decarbonise buildings at estate level, in order to make carbon visible, change behaviours and accelerate the journey towards Net Zero targets.” Elli Nikolaou, NFCC National Category Lead for FM and Construction, said: “We are making a significant positive impact to decarbonisation by focussing on what is on our doorstep. With buildings responsible for 40% of global carbon emissions, our national decarbonisation programme demonstrates how we can tackle such a global challenge. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which our programme has already demonstrated by partnering with Faithful+Gould under our National Decarbonisation Consultancy Services Contract.” The aim of the appointment is to provide expert advice and guidance, as well as the structure and governance in the planning and delivery of professional consultancy services. The programme will see the provision of services that include Programme Advisory, Programme Management and Sustainability Advisory, structured across these three tiers: Tier 1. Energy data and carbon emissions analysis, decarbonisation planning, feasibility assessments, and modelling of decarbonisation and energy efficiency opportunities; Tier 2. End-to-end consultancy support in the preparation and submission of funding applications; and Tier 3. End-to-end consultancy support in the design and delivery of decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects. The programme sits squarely in what Faithful+Gould strive to do as an organisation, which is directly delivering against the NFCC Procurement Hub’s targets that are aligned to the joint NFCC and Home Office Strategy, as well as the Home Office Fire Priorities. The creation and the success of the programme’s roll-out to date has been built from its mechanical parts, to include: scoping collaborative commercial activities and opportunities, increased commercial capability across the sector and demand and spend aggregation. For more information visit NFCC Programme: NFCC Programme – Home Page (nfcc-procurementhub.org.uk) Read about F+G’s Sustainability Services here: Sustainability – Faithful Gould (fgould.com)
Leading the future of fire safety Date: 17 October 2023 Location: Savoy Place, London and online BOOK NOW Planning for the annual FIRE Conference is well underway for 2023! We look forward to bringing the fire sector together once again to network with peers, share knowledge, and learn about the latest best practices in fire safety. With the day’s programme featuring a series of informative plenaries and panel discussions covering the adoption of a human-centred approach to tragedy – lessons from Grenfell, Building Safety Regulator updates, a ministerial plenary (subject to confirmation), enforcement – who is responsible now?, and the future of fire risk assessors, we are pleased to share further details of the afternoon’s breakout workshop sessions ahead of the full programme being released. Workshops Legal and contractual responsibilities This workshop will look to provide an overview of legal support to practitioners, particularly focusing on liability and contractual law. It is widely acknowledged that many older buildings have a complex history which provides challenges when it comes to the responsibility of remedial work, refurbishments or even their original construction – who is responsible and where do you turn to for further support? The long-term health of firefighters Anna Stec, Professor in Fire Chemistry and Toxicity, UCLan | Riccardo la Torre, National Officer, FBU Recent research has found that toxic contaminants in fires are directly linked to increased rates of cancer and mental health issues among firefighters. The impact of this has far reaching implications on not only firefighters’ physical health, but their mental health too. This workshop will provide an overview of the latest research and a response from the NFCC. New technologies – the opportunities and challenges for fire safety The rapid introduction and evolution of artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies present promises and pitfalls for fire safety. This workshop will explore the opportunities and challenges new technologies present for fire engineering and fire safety, including advanced modeling and simulation, cybernetic building integrations, wildland fire behavior forecasting, improved fire detection, enhanced incident command decision support and other applications not yet imagined. Participants in this session will join the discussion of how new technologies can help us and where we need to exercise more caution and discretion. National regulator for construction products and the future of fire testing Chris Miles, Commercial Director, Fire Protection Association | Peter Caplehorn, CEO, Construction Products Association | Simon Lewis, Head of Building Safety Working Group, Womble Bond Dickson The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) takes on responsibility for the national regulation of construction products. The OPSS started work to establish the new Regulator in April 2021 and has begun to lead and coordinate work that will set a new regulatory approach for construction products with safety being placed at the core. This workshop will provide delegates with an overview of the types of work that will be undertaken by the new regulator to restore confidence in the safe design, construction, and occupation of high-rise residential buildings. Tackling fire safety in batteries This workshop will examine the different battery applications including micro mobility, electric cars and the wider transport sector. It will explore the technology used, the issues surrounding fire safety and identifying solutions. Carefully considered measures are required to address the hazards these batteries pose and the options available to manage such risks. BOOK NOW Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday, Monday 24 July 2023, the Government confirmed that they will adopt an 18-metre height threshold for second staircases in all new residential buildings. In a huge win for RIBA’s cross-sector campaign on this issue, the Government noted that the new fire safety measure comes in response to expert bodies’ united calls. Since March, a RIBA-led coalition spanning the built environment, fire safety and disability rights groups have been strongly advocating an 18-metre threshold. RIBA and its Expert Advisory Group have been calling for second staircases in new residential buildings for a long time. RIBA President Simon Allford said: “This is a significant moment. Over six years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, it is hugely positive and reassuring to see the Government listening to the united call of experts on fire safety, bringing greater coherence and certainty for industry. Mandating second staircases in new homes over 18 metres is a vital step towards a safer built environment for all. We are pleased to have played our part in this.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) was delighted to support and raise awareness of sprinklers at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Built Environment Conference Series, taking place in Cardiff and Salford in June 2023. Following the theme of Performance, Compliance and Safety, CABE’s Built Environment England and Wales Conferences were held at Salford University and Cardiff Metropolitan University on the 20th and 22nd June. Attracting expert panels interacting with a wide range of construction and property sector professionals, the technical leadership conferences cover the key issues within the sector today, including building safety, construction materials, quality, performance and zero carbon within the built environment and all tailored to the key issues for audiences the UK regions. In Salford, the keynote address from the recently appointed Deputy Chief Inspector of buildings, Chris Griffin-McTiernan, shared an insight into the setting up of the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) including the latest on the registration of high-rise residential buildings (HRBs), the new duty holding regimes, and the future regulation of the building control profession. A particular number that stuck out was that a third of consultations with the BSR over high rise buildings still raise a concern but this is an improvement over the past 12 months. It was perhaps reflected by the audience questions as to whether the market is changing or waiting for new instructions. Richard Harral, CABE’s Technical Director added to this by explaining the significant scope within the Building Safety Act, describing it as the largest piece of legislation since World War II. A fact that had not registered before now and signals the scale of the journey. The act brings clarity to the question of responsibility and emphasises the importance of understanding one’s role within the framework. Ray Quinn of BB7 gave an interesting insight into the role of the fire engineer and how that needs to progress. One element that caught the eye was how he highlighted the outcome of protecting people and property came together needed to be discussed and addressed. Perhaps more telling as people discussed safety was his strong line in that when all is said and done there is no point of “zero risk”. In both Salford and Cardiff there were sessions on the thorny subject of product regulation.The overriding sentiment was that products should deliver on their intended purpose when installed correctly, living up to their claims. Equally within that is the need for those selecting such products to understand their role within that process as designers. The mechanisms to deliver that are still developing. Other keynote speakers in Salford and Cardiff included Jon Vanstone (Chair of the Interim Competence Committee), Hanna Clarke (Digital and Policy Manager at CPA), Amanda Stubbs (Partner at Trowers & Hamlins) and Dr. Hywel Davies (Chief Technical Officer at CIBSE). Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler commented: “While continual progress was being made, the industry is still on a journey to the full implementation of regulatory change. The notion for waiting for everything to be clarified is just not practical in a sea of so much change. What we can see is how safeguarding people and property can form clear objectives.” Competency is central to the thinking on changing the construction and fire safety sectors, “it is essential to possess and maintain expertise in your area of specialism and acknowledge your limits.” These technical conferences gave the BSA the ideal platform to discuss the benefits of sprinklers to protect people and their property, and how active fire protection can play a role in sustainability. “We are delighted to lend our support to these regional events, where we can see education and knowledge are key,” said Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “It was very encouraging to see a greater understanding of the benefits and an increased adoption of sprinkler systems.” The Business Sprinkler Alliance advocates greater business resilience by enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and use of fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial premises. For more information or to book a place at upcoming CABE regional events for Scotland on 6th September and Ireland on 19th September, visit https://www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org/events For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fire crews from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a massive fire at a commercial building in South Wigston. The early morning blaze at Paragon destroyed much of the facility and will result in work being redistributed and staff redeployed at other locations in the wider group. The building did not have the benefit of an automatic sprinkler system. The June 15th blaze broke out at the Paragon Building in Saffron Road and required 11 fire crews and more than 100 firefighters from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to contain it. The large demand for water to tackle the fire was supported by drawing from the Grand Union Canal and pumping it one kilometre to the site. There were several buildings impacted by the fire which required huge resources including an aerial ladder platform in order to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby businesses. Local residents had to contend with large plumes of smoke shortly after the fire broke out. While the business reports 250 people employed at this inbound mail processing facility, there were 134 present at the site that day. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries in the blaze. The impact on the local community and environment was significant with local road closures, trains halted and nearby residents forced to close windows and doors. There were a number of measures employed to minimise the impact of pollution to the local environment. The business was reported to be initiating a business contingency plan to manage the impact of this catastrophic fire. What remains of their sprawling 15,000m2 facility is reported to need to be demolished and disposed of. This fire is perhaps one of the largest of recent weeks consuming much of a 15,000m2 facility. Many people would be surprised by the scale of the fire given that it was a commercial mail handling operation. However, it is not alone in impacting a company and its operations. Another two businesses counting the cost and damage of a destructive fire are on an industrial estate in Corby. In the early hours of April 25th, fire crews from Northampton Fire and Rescue Service were called to a major fire in a warehouse unit which housed two businesses. This building was a modestly sized floor area of about 2,000m2. At the height of the blaze, there were nine fire engines tackling the flames with appliances from Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. The fire and rescue service contained the fire but were unable to save the building which was completely destroyed. Halting the spread of fire when it is first detected is the best way to limit damage and minimise costs and impacts. Sprinklers have been shown to contain, control or extinguish fires in 99% of cases when caused to operate1. The impacted business can be operational within hours, avoiding the economic and social costs. Commercial and industrial fires such as these once again underscore the need for an increased emphasis of resilience alongside life safety as a reasonable requirement. Recognising this importance would result in more buildings being designed and constructed to withstand disproportionate damage, using combinations of passive and active fire safety measures. For more information about the BSA visit the www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With fire safety obligations on the rise for Responsible Person’s (RPs), Ian Bailey, Technical Advisor at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), underlines the immediate actions that RPs must take to ensure compliance and how the institution plans to safeguard professional standards. As we await the implementation of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 to go into effect in October, the UK Home Office published guidelines on the Fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act in July. While fire safety has always been a priority in building design and construction, new legislation amendments have increased the obligations of RPs. The IFE highlights the vital role of professional Fire Risk Assessors in providing optimal fire safety measures as part of its unwavering commitment to life, property, and environmental protection. Criteria applies to any non-domestic enterprise where people work, visit, or stay, as well as non-domestic portions of multi-occupied residential structures (common corridors and stairwells). Individual family households are excluded from the rules. Over the past year, the IFE has actively supported the government in the development of various guidelines for RPs, including the above and the upcoming guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation. The changing landscape of fire safety legislation: Catastrophic fire incidents such as Grenfell have prompted governments around the world to enhance fire safety legislation in order to improve public safety and reduce the hazards associated with building fires. RPs are responsible for fire safety within their premises under these new frameworks. Under the new legislation, comprehensive and systematic fire risk assessments must still be conducted regularly. These assessments should identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the existing fire safety measures, and develop strategies to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of occupants and visitors. Importantly, the legislation now requires all RPs to document their completed fire risk assessment in full (where previously only particular information was necessary). Other significant changes include: The role of Fire Risk Assessors: To meet the stringent fire safety requirements, RPs are responsible for the appointment of competent Fire Risk Assessors to carry out necessary risk management. Fire Risk Assessors play a pivotal role in conducting accurate fire risk assessments, thereby guiding RPs in implementing effective fire safety measures. In the future there will also be a legislative requirement that, where the Responsible Person appoints a person to make or review the fire risk assessment, they must be competent. The IFE are working with government and others to construct a robust competency framework for fire risk assessors. The IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor register remains a source of excellence and competence within the fire sector. As the most thorough registry of Fire Risk Assessors, it continues to serve as a benchmark for assessing and certifying the proficiency of fire risk assessors. Built on a foundation of extensive knowledge, experience and expertise, Fire Risk Assessors registered with the IFE undergo rigorous evaluation and assessment to demonstrate their ability to conduct comprehensive fire risk assessments across a diverse range of building types and occupancy scenarios. Enhanced fire safety obligations have placed a tremendous responsibility on RPs, emphasising the need for competent and skilled Fire Risk Assessors. The IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor Register remains the ultimate assurance for building owners and occupiers seeking the services of highly qualified and multi-skilled Fire risk assessors. In an ever-changing climate, the IFE’s Fire Risk Assessor register stands as an unwavering resource of fire safety excellence, fostering a safer environment for all. To access a multi-skilled Fire Risk Assessor within your proximity, please visit: ife.org.uk/Fire-Risk-Assessor-Search. For further information on the IFE and to enquire about membership, visit ife.org.uk/Membership
FIRE safety businesses across Scotland are being offered the chance to bid for potential work worth up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies. A leading Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for it its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024. Potential suppliers include consultants, assessors and experts who can install safety measures from fire doors and alarms to sprinkler systems. It also covers vital remedial cladding for public buildings – a significant issue felt nationwide in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy which claimed 72 lives. Interested firms and experts have until August 24 to lodge applications with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), the country’s largest, free-to-join procurement organisation for public sector buyers. Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at SPA, said: “Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety has become a paramount concern for local authorities and social housing providers. They are prioritising the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire. “We’re extremely proud of this important evolution of our fire safety framework, which will give public organisations peace of mind. They can be assured that any works or services they are undertaking will be delivered by proven and fully-qualified experts to meet the most exacting, current standards.” Known as FS2, it combines two previous SPA frameworks while adding in a host of active fire safety measures including sprinklers, wet and dry risers, emergency lighting, domestic alarms and waking watch services. It also covers fire panels, automatic opening ventilation (AOV) and – crucially in the wake of the Grenfell disaster – cladding assessment and remedial work. It was developed with input from experts to meet post-Grenfell building safety legislation, introduced on both sides of the border. Lesley added: “This is an outstanding opportunity for businesses with expertise and capability in fire safety. They have a chance to put themselves in front of the public bodies who need their services. “With an emphasis on local suppliers, FS2 aims to ensure that vital contracts are delivered efficiently and to benefit the local economy. It offers Scottish SMEs a chance to increase their business opportunities creating jobs and employment across the country.” SPA works with 120 public sector organisations and its frameworks offer an efficient and compliant route to market for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of social housing and public buildings. Partners include councils, housing associations, blue light services, the NHS, further and higher education providers and many other public bodies. Currently, SPA has 600 live projects totalling £1.1bn in contracts covered by its 17 frameworks – from new build housing, modular construction, to asbestos services, energy efficiency and construction consultancy services. As part of FS2, there will be eight workstreams, covering Fire Consultancy; Fire Risk Assessments; Waking Watch; Installation and Remediation of Passive Fire Protection; Installation Servicing and Maintenance of Active Fire Protection; Installation, Servicing and Maintenance of Fire Suppression; Cladding Remediation; Multi-Disciplinary. SPA advise that bidders must be able to demonstrate a minimum turnover of £250k to be awarded to the framework, which will cover North-Eastern Scotland, Highlands and Islands, Eastern Scotland, West Central Scotland and Southern Scotland. The framework is split into lots by region. Bidders can apply for regions that best suit their capabilities/focus. As a proud not-for-profit, SPA reinvests its surpluses into Scottish communities through its Community Benefit Fund (CBF) by working with its dedicated charity, Lintel Trust. Since 2017, the CBF has allocated over £1.7 million in grants and match funding to support 102 community groups, charities, and causes. Projects have included Holiday Hunger programmes, community gardens, digital and social inclusion, employability initiatives, apprenticeship support funds and specialist mental health services. They have helped improve the lives of at least 19,000 people, while delivering social value of more than £3.9million. Interested fire safety experts can find out more details here – https://in-tendhost.co.uk/lhc/aspx/ProjectManage/15 For more information on the Scottish Procurement Alliance, visit https://www.scottishprocurement.scot/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Andy Vooght looks at the use of fire rated glazing for passive fire protection in residential buildings. Glass has been used for fire resistance in buildings since the introduction of wired glasses in the late 1920s. Knowledge and materials have evolved significantly over the years and the specific requirements for providing passive fire protection, together with natural light, to the myriad of new and existing building types means that offering a piece of safety glass held in with a timber bead will no longer suffice. This often misunderstood area of passive fire protection plays an important part in the safety of buildings, but has developed out of the fenestration industry, where the expertise lies in other areas, such as energy performance, security, and ventilation. Whilst there are several systems on the market, much of the construction industry has made little effort to understand the specifics of fire rated glazing systems, perceiving them to be much the same as ‘traditional’ windows. Consequently, there has been little control over the supply and installation of these products historically, and as a result, there will undoubtedly be undiscovered issues hidden in plain sight, which can lead to problems identifying glazing systems in need of remediation. Compliant glazing The use of glazing within Approved Document B (ADB) is potentially complex to understand, but in simple terms tables B3 and B4 define the level of fire resistance required in specific locations within differing building types. Unless the scheme designer is adopting an alternative approach, it would follow that glazed elements would need to satisfy these requirements. Table B5 then further identifies allowable locations for the use of uninsulated glazed elements on escape routes. As the culture and legislation around the safety of buildings evolves, there will be many responsible persons keen to ensure they have things up to date and correct. In practical terms, this will include making sure that fire risk assessments are routinely undertaken and that the information pertaining to building safety is held as we work towards the Golden Thread. Based on the requirements of ADB it should be possible to understand the application – be it for compartmentation, protecting a means of escape, or protecting a boundary – and the level of protection required in a given situation. For new buildings, where the focus is on design and specification, the expectation is that there should be a reasonable level of understanding to deliver a building that is compliant. However, given the generally poor knowledge surrounding these products, it may be difficult for a fire risk assessor to determine if what is in place will meet this. ADB offers a Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-resistant Glazed Systems, published by the Glass and Glazing Federation, as a source for further information. Whilst not fully comprehensive and long overdue for an update, it provides a good place to start. Identification of fire rated glazing There are very few specialist companies on the market for these products, but it is worth bearing in mind that the levels of understanding and competence within these organisations are greater than those of general glazing companies. These experts are often approached to help inspectors and fire risk assessors understand what glazing products they are being asked to look at. Whilst it is not always possible to identify the system used, there a number of basic factors that help understand what is in place. Firstly, is the glass marked? On the most basic level, fire resisting glass should be marked with the name of the manufacturer and the name of the product. Ideally, it would also contain the product standard the glass meets and the impact safety rating. If the glass is clear and carries no mark, then it should be assumed that this glass will provide no fire resistance. As these are glazing systems rather than just glass, to understand if the installed product is fit for purpose, it is necessary to also identify the framing system and wall construction. This begins with examining how the glass is fixed. Typically this would be into a timber, steel, or aluminium framing, which is then fixed into the structure. It is also vitally important to understand if there is appropriate test evidence for the size and configuration used at the level of protection required. It is also necessary to identify and understand the substrate into which the frames are being fixed to determine if the frames are correctly specified and fixed. Typically there will be limitations due to testing rigid or flexible constructions. It is also important to establish that an appropriate perimeter condition has been used. Evidence should exist for product classification against EN 13501-2, or ideally the scope would be covered by third-party certification (e.g. Certifire). We must remain mindful that much evidence for such systems would have been provided on the basis of technical assessments. The Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) released its updated Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence in 2021 and the basis for opinion has evolved. As a consequence many previously allowable options are no longer permissible due to lack of primary test evidence. Finally, an expert will want to see evidence of how the installer of the system can evidence competence. As these installations differ greatly from traditional glazing installations, specialist knowledge is required to ensure that elements are fixed and finished in the appropriate manner. Simply having done this for a long time will not suffice and third-party certification exists for installers – e.g. FIRAS, which audits an installation company’s knowledge and capability on site, as well as the record keeping of installations. For current installations, requirements under Regulation 38 exist for the installer to provide the fire safety information to the responsible person. If such records do not exist, there will be doubt that the intended protection is fit for purpose. Understanding the requirements Where the requirement exists to introduce or replace such products, how should
