Ahead of the commencement of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 in October 2023, the Home Office has published new guidance on the fire safety responsibilities of responsible persons (RPs). Released on 3 July 2023, the vital government guidance covers the types of buildings the new fire safety
West End Gate, located in Edgware Road, Marylebone, London, is a prestigious residential development comprising of eight buildings ranging from eight to 29 storeys. The development boasts modern architecture, efficient transport links, and state-of-the-art facilities. SOCOTEC Fire Engineering and Fire Risk Assessment have been appointed since 2018 to provide comprehensive
A new and exciting opportunity awaits specialists in the field of fire safety as they are encouraged to participate in a groundbreaking framework aimed at supplying fire safety measures for the public sector. The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework, established by the LHC Procurement Group, is now open for applications from
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants working in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association (STA) is offering the wider industry valuable clarity on the fire safety design of mass timber buildings. Publishing its research into cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour in Volume 6 of the STA’s Fire Safety
Mr Shinsuke Kubo, Hochiki Europe’s Commercial Director steps into the role of Managing Director from 3rd July, with Graham Lowe, the outgoing MD, remaining in the business part time to support Mr Kubo during his first year in the role. Shinsuke Kubo has been part of the Hochiki global operation
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced that, from July 1st 2023, they will no longer attend all alarm signals generated from an automatic fire alarm system. Instead, the Call Challenge approach will be invoked with an aim to reduce the number of false alarms their crews attend.
A new venture focusing on passive fire protection and health and safety training in the property and construction sector has been launched in the north west with virtual reality at its heart, in what is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. Jason McKnight and Joseph
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to firestopping, penetration seals and smoke seals. Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into dry
Elevation Training Academy has partnered with recruitment agency, Secure & Recruit. This partnership aims to bring new talent into the fire and security industry and drive the next generation of fire and security engineers. The skills shortage and aging workforce within the industry has received significant attention, and as the
Leading life safety manufacturer Hochiki Europe have today announced the results of their latest survey of both UK and overseas customers, revealing that four out of five (over 80%) of Hochiki customers believe that the company manufactures and designs innovative, high quality, and robust products. The survey went to customers
Ahead of the commencement of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 in October 2023, the Home Office has published new guidance on the fire safety responsibilities of responsible persons (RPs). Released on 3 July 2023, the vital government guidance covers the types of buildings the new fire safety requirements apply to, the duties for all RPs and those RPs of buildings that contain two or more sets of domestic premises, and other changes to fire safety legislation. Its purpose is to ensure that RPs have the necessary information in which to prepare for the changes that will come into force later this year. In particular, the guidance highlights the requirement for RPs to keep a record of a full and completed fire risk assessment; the fire safety arrangements within their premises; and, in buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises, provide residents with relevant fire safety information in a format that can be easily understood: “You should make available as much information as possible about fire safety in your premises. This new requirement replaces the previous requirement to record only the significant findings of the risk assessment. It also removes the previous limitations on the circumstances within which you are required to record both the risk assessment and the fire safety arrangements at your premises, such as only being required to record this information if there were five or more employees or where subject to licensing or an alterations notice.” As outlined in the guidance, “These requirements apply to all non-domestic premises, such as where people work, visit, or stay, including workplaces, and the non-domestic parts of multi-occupied residential buildings (e.g. communal corridors, stairways, plant rooms). The requirements do not apply within individual domestic premises.” The Home Office adds that a competent person must be appointed by the RP to make or review the fire risk assessment, adding that the legislative requirement for this will be “brought into force at a later date”. “In the meantime, if you do appoint a fire risk assessor, our recommendation is that you ensure they are competent to do so, in terms of having sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities. It remains the case that the Responsible Person has a duty to make sure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed.” Briefly, the duties to be taken up by RPs include: RPs of buildings that contain two or more sets of domestic premises are also required to provide necessary information to residents. The full guidance can be accessed here.
West End Gate, located in Edgware Road, Marylebone, London, is a prestigious residential development comprising of eight buildings ranging from eight to 29 storeys. The development boasts modern architecture, efficient transport links, and state-of-the-art facilities. SOCOTEC Fire Engineering and Fire Risk Assessment have been appointed since 2018 to provide comprehensive fire safety support throughout the construction process. SOCOTEC’s involvement in West End Gate began in 2018 with the commencement of Phase 1 and continues into Phase 2, which is expected to conclude in 2026. One of the primary objectives was to produce a detailed report outlining the necessary measures to meet life safety requirements and contractual obligations set by the site’s insurer. To provide fire safety during construction, SOCOTEC relied on two essential guidance documents: HSG168 and the Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation (JCOP). These documents guided the information provided to the contractors, covering various critical topics, including: A. Protection of temporary structures: Ensuring the safety of welfare containers and other temporary structures on-site. B. Means of escape: Establishing safe escape routes from the construction site. C. Protection of sleeping occupants: Implementing fire safety measures for occupied areas of the complex after handover. D. Managing ignition risks: Properly managing activities such as hot works to prevent fire incidents. E. Preventing fire growth and spread: Effectively managing the storage of combustible and highly flammable materials, temporary compartmentation, and other fire prevention measures. F. Preventing external fire spread: providing guidance on preventing external fire spread between building on the site and existing buildings outside the site boundary, This include the strategic installation of (temporary) fire stopping and the management of combustible materials. G. Providing firefighting facilities: Establishing temporary firefighting facilities on-site. The construction fire safety strategy developed by SOCOTEC was regularly checked on-site by qualified and experienced fire risk assessors. These professionals identified deficiencies and potential fire risks, ensuring the information provided in the strategy remained updated and aligned with the current conditions on-site. The collaborative approach between SOCOTEC’s fire safety engineers and the fire risk assessors ensured a comprehensive and effective fire safety management system throughout the construction process. The West End Gate project presented several challenges that required innovative fire safety solutions. Some of the notable challenges included: A. Provision of basement storage and basement welfare, including phased handover of the basement: Ensuring safe storage practices in the basement area to mitigate fire risks, including providing smoke clearance systems and ventilated lobby protection to the protected stair cases following handover. B. Compliance with social distancing restrictions: Adapting welfare areas to adhere to social distancing guidelines while maintaining adequate fire safety measures, during the COVID-19 pandemic. C. External fire spread between the buildings under construction: Some of the blocks are within close proximity to each other. Static temporary fire stopping was placed, as well as the management of combustible materials employed to prevent any fire spread between the blocks under construction. The primary aim of SOCOTEC’s involvement in the West End Gate project was to meet the expectations of the site’s insurer and the construction company’s requirements for safe management of a large, complex, and high-rise construction site. While prioritising life safety requirements, many of the fire safety recommendations also contributed to property protection, reducing the potential for property damage in case of fire incidents. SOCOTEC’s comprehensive fire safety management approach for the West End Gate development demonstrates their expertise in ensuring compliance with life safety requirements and contractual obligations. By incorporating guidance documents, conducting regular site checks, and addressing project-specific challenges, SOCOTEC played a vital role in creating a safe environment during the construction process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new and exciting opportunity awaits specialists in the field of fire safety as they are encouraged to participate in a groundbreaking framework aimed at supplying fire safety measures for the public sector. The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework, established by the LHC Procurement Group, is now open for applications from prospective suppliers nationwide until mid-August. With a substantial allocation of funds, this framework holds significant value, with £105m allocated for England, £20m for Scotland, and £15m for Wales. Each regional area will have six available spaces per lot, ensuring ample opportunities for successful applicants. The FS2 framework encompasses a broad range of services, including the provision of new or replacement passive and active fire protection measures for both domestic and non-domestic buildings. Additionally, it covers fire suppression, consultancy services, waking watch services, and cladding remediation. Compliance with all current legislation, such as the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, and Fire Safety (England) regulations 2022, is a crucial aspect of the framework. Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at LHC, expressed the importance of fire safety in light of recent events, particularly the Grenfell Tower tragedy. He emphasized that local authorities and social housing providers are now prioritising the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire. In response to these urgent concerns, FS2 represents a significant advancement from its predecessor, FS1, by expanding the range of fire safety measures available. The framework has been meticulously developed in collaboration with expert consultants, ensuring comprehensive coverage of current legislation. By aligning with regulations and industry best practices, it offers clients peace of mind. Fazackerley further highlighted the value and expertise that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bring to the field. By tapping into their knowledge and capabilities, the FS2 framework aims to provide a wide array of national and local organisations capable of undertaking specialised projects. This approach will undoubtedly offer distinct value and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of clients. If you are a fire safety expert seeking to be part of this groundbreaking framework and make a significant impact in the field, we invite you to find out more about FS2 and apply by clicking here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants working in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association (STA) is offering the wider industry valuable clarity on the fire safety design of mass timber buildings. Publishing its research into cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour in Volume 6 of the STA’s Fire Safety in Use Guidance, OFR has shared the findings of its study which set out to establish the relationship between different building heights, uses and consequence classes as well as performance expectations of structures in the event of fire. Recognising that the main challenges for the industry in delivering mass timber buildings has been due to confusion on the routes to compliance with the Building Regulations, in addition to what evidence designers should provide when seeking to demonstrate how they comply, the new revised guidance provides important information for designers and building control bodies. It allows parties to approach the design of mass timber buildings with consistent expectations of what types of solutions and analysis should be expected based on a building’s height and use. Speaking about the project, OFR Technical Director and co-lead author Dr Danny Hopkin explained: “OFR is the lead research partner delivering the STA special interest group (SIG) project on cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour. The study identified that higher consequence buildings should survive the full duration of a fire, whilst lower consequence buildings should survive long enough to facilitate the escape of occupants and fire service activities. Understanding this distinction is important in ensuring engineers develop the correct evidence to support their designs when demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations. “We’re thrilled that this study has been developed into industry guidance via Volume 6 of the Fire Safety in Use Guidance. Working with my co-lead author and OFR colleague Research Leader, Mike Spearpoint, we advise that the guidance should be considered on a project-by-project basis, considering the specific fire safety strategy for that building and the input of all key stakeholders.” Andrew Orris at STA added: “This new guidance encourages dialogue with approving authorities to establish the structural fire performance objectives, considering fire strategy first principles, such as the evacuation mode, fire service provisions, and the inclusion of additional fire safety systems such as sprinklers. It also provides an appendix of application examples to aid designers in their use of the guidance.” Once completed, the guidance was independently reviewed by a stakeholder review panel. Building on two and a half years of use by designers, the STA has updated the document to incorporate feedback from users. OFR has retained oversight of these changes to ensure that the document aligns with the original intent, and by reviewing and editing the second edition. The standardVolume 6 of the fire safety in use guidance can be accessed here: https://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/libraries/technical-documents/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mr Shinsuke Kubo, Hochiki Europe’s Commercial Director steps into the role of Managing Director from 3rd July, with Graham Lowe, the outgoing MD, remaining in the business part time to support Mr Kubo during his first year in the role. Shinsuke Kubo has been part of the Hochiki global operation for close to three decades, moving from Japan to the US and Middle East before joining the UK team a year ago. He takes over from Graham Lowe who has stood at the helm of the European operation for the last 6 years and has taken the organisation to the very front of Hochiki’s global offering, overseeing sustained growth across the European territories during his tenure. Mr Kubo will call upon his passion for customer experience, along with his extensive knowledge of both the Hochiki product and the fire industry to continue this trajectory and build on the strong legacy he inherits. Of his new role Shinsuke says: “I have enjoyed a fantastic career with Hochiki for the last 29 years (in Japan for 17 years, US for 7 years, Dubai 4 years and UK for the past year) and have gained experience of the industry and our customers across the globe. I’ve learnt a great deal about UK and European markets during the last year and have grown to understand how this region differs from the US, Middle East, and India markets. I think it’s time to bring all this knowledge together in my new role to continue to grow the business here.” Hochiki Europe continue to commit to ensuring the best people are in place in order to deliver the best life safety technology and customer experience. Kubo’s breadth of experience and the firm foundations he has to build from will undoubtedly stand him in firm stead. To find out more about Hochiki Europe and its range of market leading life safety products visit hochikieurope.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced that, from July 1st 2023, they will no longer attend all alarm signals generated from an automatic fire alarm system. Instead, the Call Challenge approach will be invoked with an aim to reduce the number of false alarms their crews attend. In a bid to reduce false alarm call outs, fire services have successfully trialled and implemented similar approaches across England, and, following a rigorous public and private sector consultation, the SFRS have decided to implement a “Call Challenge” approach when responding to automatic fire alarm signals. Fire and rescue service teams across the UK are responsible for providing immediate assistance and support to those in need, but in recent years there has been an ever-increasing number of false alarms occurring adding to an already stretched fire service. In Scotland alone, the SFRS crews are called to an average of 28,000 false alarms each year and investigating each incident can involve several firefighters and up to two fire appliances as part of the response. To put this into context, this equates to 252,000 firefighters needlessly being called to unwanted fire alarm signals each year, when their time could be better spent tackling real fires, training or carrying out community safety work. The Call Challenge process is invoked whenever a single smoke detector becomes active and generates a fire signal, received either directly by the SFRS control room, or via an Alarm Receiving Company (ARC). Duty holders on site are immediately contacted and asked a series of questions to determine the nature and severity of an incident to determine a positive visual confirmation of fire. This ensures that it is a genuine emergency and requires an immediate response from a fire appliance and its crew. False alarms can be caused by a range of factors, but the vast majority are triggered by automatic fire alarm systems (AFAS). An AFAS provides an early warning of fire and is one of the most effective ways to keep a business, staff and public safe in the event of a fire. However, a significant number of signals from these systems are not actual fires – instead false alarms caused by factors such as cooking fumes or dust from building works, reported by sensors as smoke. The false alarms can also be triggered by a lack of maintenance or regular testing of the fire system. In a recent webinar released by the SFRS, with guest speaker Colin Todd, who holds an MBE for his services to the Fire Industry, three key points were raised. Firstly, building owners have a responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to maintain the facilities and equipment provided and failure to do this could lead to prosecution. Second that staff and other building occupants should be made aware of how to respond safely to AFAS activations in each premises and finally that building insurance might be affected by the new approach by the SFRS, depending on which type of fire alarm system and devices are installed. In the webinar, it was recommended that Duty Holders should consider the use of true multi-sensors to reduce false fire alarms. These devices are recommended due to the way in which they operate – i.e., combining more than one trigger such as smoke, heat and CO, to quickly confirm the presence of a real fire. For this reason, the SFRS have pledged to always attend automatically to an alarm signal from an intelligent multi-sensor. The British Standard for fire system design, BS 5839 Part 1, defines a multi-sensor as a fire sensor that monitors more than one physical and/or chemical phenomenon associated with fire. Building upon this, through their combined research project the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and The Fire Industry Association (FIA) proved that advanced multi-sensors which detect multiple criteria can outperform more basic models particularly in reducing false alarms. In general, it was found that the more sophisticated the optical heat multi-sensors were, the less prone they were to common causes of false alarms, whilst their ability to detect real fires was not compromised. This research will most likely further the development of product standards and codes of practice for smoke and multi-sensor detectors. Commenting on this announcement from the SFRS, Nathan Hudson from Hochiki Europe said “Research shows false alarms are causing millions of pounds in disruption to the UK economy every year, causing complacency in staff and the public, and are wasting valuable resources for fire services. As per the recent SFRS webinar with guest speaker Colin Todd, MBE, the correct and compliant installation of true multi-sensors mean false alarms can be reduced. Our ACC true multi-sensor, which is approved to EN54 Part 29, uses a combined sensing element response, where the smoke element is enhanced directly by the heat element. This makes it an ideal replacement for those building owners now faced with having to update their systems to make them eligible for automatic attendance. And for complete flexibility, with its 24 approved modes of operation, our ACD multi-sensor can be completely tailored to the safety needs of the building and therefore help to dramatically reduce false alarms. Whichever solution, we would always recommend duty holders to work with a reputable fire safety company who can advise on the best course of action to reduce false alarms.” It is important to note, that the SFRS have said that the Call Challenge approach does not apply to those premises where there is a “sleeping risk” such as hospitals, care homes, hotels, or domestic dwellings. These premises are exempt and can therefore expect the current level of emergency response. To learn more about the Call Challenge announced by the SFRS and to find out about Hochiki’s range of true multi-sensors visit: https://web.hochikieurope.com/call_challenge Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new venture focusing on passive fire protection and health and safety training in the property and construction sector has been launched in the north west with virtual reality at its heart, in what is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. Jason McKnight and Joseph Dillon have set up trainingEXP as a sister company to their construction and project management business RECOM Solutions, which is based in Salford Quays. The duo have invested a six-figure sum in the venture and have recruited experienced fire protection professional Adam Steed to head its team of trainers. Adam has joined trainingEXP from Warringtonfire, a testing, inspection and certification company. He was an inspector of fire protection systems registered under Warringtonfire’s Fire Certification Scheme (FIRAS). The new venture is providing in-depth passive fire protection training aimed at the residential, health and social care, commercial, leisure, education, heritage and industrial sectors as well as fire and rescue services, professionals such as architects, tradespeople and operatives. VR training that replicates live environments to raise awareness of common fire protection hazards in buildings is a key feature of the courses. Jason McKnight said: “We have developed innovative and bespoke software which is unlike anything else available in the UK and Europe. “It works in a similar way to the hazard perception section of the driving theory test. By replicating live environments, such as hospitals, users can take virtual walks around buildings to carry out passive fire surveys and identify fire protection hazards in an immersive way. Unlike other available software, this is entirely interactive and our delegates can interact with the simulations we have created.” He added: “We are committed to improving fire safety awareness, knowledge and skills across the built environment and to help raise standards. It’s a growing industry and there has been recent legislation which has made the provision of quality hands-on training even more necessary. “We initially created a training academy for our own specialist passive fire protection operatives, supervisors, project managers and surveyors. However, in response to client demand we decided to expand it into a full-scale venture. “We believe there is a great need for this service, and we are using VR as a central component of the training to enhance the experience. “Given our project management and construction experience, the new venture aligns well with what we do as RECOM and we are confident our experienced trainingEXP team led by Adam will deliver a compelling service to the sector.” The range of online health and safety courses launched by trainingEXP focus on construction environments and cover areas such as asbestos, design, regulation, first aid and manual handling. All courses are recognised or accredited by industry bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and the Association for Specialist Fire Protection. Adam said: “It’s an exciting opportunity to head trainingEXP. Our mission is to help companies and organisations better understand their obligations and provide industry professionals with specialist knowledge that will improve fire safety “The training aims to create an in-depth understanding that passive fire protection is a life safety feature and compliance within this industry needs to be fully understood to move forward.” RECOM’s own passive fire protection division is the fastest-growing arm of the group. A raft of contract wins has seen it expand into a nationwide operation, and it has doubled the size of its team of directly-employed installers to over 40 in the past 12 months. The team undertake projects at locations including NHS trusts and hospitals, schools and universities, government offices, social housing schemes, apartment blocks and office buildings. RECOM is an approved contractor under FIRAS for its fire protection services, which include passive fire protection installation, fire door surveys and installations, repairs and upgrades, fire strategy reviews, compartmentation surveying, advice and guidance, training, development and support. The company, which was founded in 2015 by Jason and Joseph, also undertakes construction project management and main contracting work across sectors including healthcare, education, retail and leisure, commercial and residential. It also provides consultancy services to assist in the design and delivery of health and safety, sustainability and cladding projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to firestopping, penetration seals and smoke seals. Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into dry wall systems. Firestopping products are made to help maintain the performance of a wall where such electrical boxes have been added. A CEN standard is currently being drafted to cover the testing of these products. However, in the interim period AN 13 suggests that the firestopping of these products is undertaken using an ad-hoc approach, based on testing to BS EN1364-1: Fire resistance tests for non-loadbearing elements. Walls Advisory Note 30 covers the transition from CE marking to the UKCA mark. It explains how all of the different passive fire protection product families are affected, describing the likely next steps in the process. It aims to help manufacturers and specifiers alike to understand what will be required during the transition period. Advisory Note 31 covers smoke seals used in conjunction with active fire curtains. AN 31 was produced in response to false claims that manufacturers used draught excluders to prevent the passage of cold smoke and that these would be of limited use in a fire resistance test scenario. The document explains that the performance smoke seals used are the same technology as might be used in smoke leakage-rated fire-resisting doors. Where smoke seals are added for a leakage test, they also have to be present for the corresponding fire test. Advisory Note 15 has been updated. This explains the interchange of flexible wall systems for service penetration seal systems. When first published, this note provided pictorial clarification of a long-winded statement in BS EN1366-3: 2009: Fire resistance tests for service installations. Penetration seals. This standard has been amended, and some of the scenarios permitted in the 2009 version are not now reproduced in the 2021 version. The drawings in AN15 have been amended to bring them in line with BS EN 1366-3: 2021. ASFP Advisory Notes are available to download for free from the ASFP Publications library, visit: https://asfp.org.uk/page/Publicationslist Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Elevation Training Academy has partnered with recruitment agency, Secure & Recruit. This partnership aims to bring new talent into the fire and security industry and drive the next generation of fire and security engineers. The skills shortage and aging workforce within the industry has received significant attention, and as the number of companies securing apprenticeships continues to increase, it has become a long-term investment for their company growth. Secure & Recruit has a continuous flow of entry-level candidates who are eager to obtain their place in the sector. These candidates have connections to the industry through friends and family, or they have already completed self-funded industry courses, proving their dedication to their chosen career path. Elevation Training Academy, an apprenticeship training specialist in fire and security, says it is confident that this partnership can address the skills shortage and provide the industry with the skilled workforce it requires. Secure & Recruit believes its success in placing fire and security tutors for the apprentice scheme also gives its team a good understanding of the full cycle. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Secure & Recruit in our efforts to bridge the skills gap within the industry and provide the next generation of engineers with the training and opportunities they need to learn, grow and evolve,” says Jolene Taylor, Managing Director of Elevation Training Academy. “Our partnership with Secure & Recruit aligns with our commitment to developing a highly-skilled workforce within the fire and security industry. We are confident that with the help of Secure & Recruit, we can make a significant impact in addressing the skills shortage and supporting the industry’s growth.” Sophie Hallam, Managing Director at Secure & Recruit, adds: “Secure & Recruit are proud to be supporting Elevation Training Academy with their award-winning training of bringing in new talent to the fire and security industry. “As an acclaimed provider of skilled candidates within the fire and security sector, we are well placed to understand what it takes for the making of an accomplished fire and security engineer. “This new drive for the next generation of Fire and Security Engineers resonates with Secure & Recruit’s ethos and we’re extremely excited to be a part of this.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading life safety manufacturer Hochiki Europe have today announced the results of their latest survey of both UK and overseas customers, revealing that four out of five (over 80%) of Hochiki customers believe that the company manufactures and designs innovative, high quality, and robust products. The survey went to customers across the UK, Europe, Middle East and India and included direct customers, distributors, systems partners and indirect customers (for example purchases made via a distributor). The survey revealed that the top vertical sectors that customers operated in were across construction, education, health care, the leisure and tourism industry, rail, security, social housing, warehousing, but also included industries such as energy, oil and gas, commercial property, travel hubs, technology such as data centres and retail. Customers were quizzed on product, technology, supply chain, customer service, sales, team expertise and what they might want in the future from this global manufacturer of life safety systems. A whopping 93% of customers think that Hochiki products are “reliable” and nine out of ten agree that they “help to reduce false alarms” – particularly important when considering the continuing impact false alarms have on production and the economy globally. Looking at the survey results around ease of installation, ongoing maintenance, and ease of use of Hochiki products for the end user, over 80% of the responses were positive. Many customers noted a desire for cloud solution technology, and for a more expansive range of emergency lighting fittings. This is exciting news as the survey was completed just before the launch of FIREscape Nepto, Hochiki Europe’s newest emergency lighting system. FIREscape Nepto already offers a wider range of products, but a brand new feature which is due to be released later this year will enable the system to be monitored and interrogated live and remotely through a simple web browser interface. Email notifications can then be sent to report faults and alerts and system reports can be accessed/downloaded, all across the cloud. Something which Hochiki work hard on is to ensure that the whole team is able to provide expert customer service when required, and this was reflected in the survey results. An impressive 94% of those surveyed rated the Hochiki team as “helpful” or “very helpful” and over 96% of customers felt the team also understood their needs. The overall level of service provided by the technical support department was voted “excellent” or “very good”, with the same percentage of respondents rating the accuracy of the solution offered by technical support as “excellent” or “very good”. Anecdotally there was a consistency in responses that included words such as “reliable”, “intelligent”, “good” and “up to standards”. This sentiment is also reflected in Hochiki’s most recent customer story from Atlas World who installed a range of Hochiki products at Titanic Distillery in the world-famous Belfast’s Thompson Dry Dock. Commenting on the range of products installed, Gavin Nesbitt, Technical Sales Manager said: “For the standard, reliability, and ease of install I would not hesitate to recommend Hochiki Europe next time.” Commenting on the customer survey results, Mr Shinsuke Kubo, Commercial Director for Hochiki Europe, Middle East, Africa and India said “The results of our customer survey are really encouraging, especially considering what the world has experienced over the last few years. Manufacturing across all industries has felt the impact, but the credit must go to our team of dedicated fire industry experts. They have ensured that our customers receive a best-in-class service, continue to bring innovative products to market, and all the while ensuring that Hochiki continues to be the world’s most trusted name in life safety. We know there are areas to improve, we really value this insight, alongside ongoing feedback from projects in motion right now. It’s this two-way communication with our customers that is invaluable and will help us to continue to move forward – committed to meeting the needs of our customers and the market, now and in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
