M&Y Maintenance and Construction have completed an extensive Fire Safety Project on two five storey apartment blocks on Cheapside in Liverpool City Centre. M&Y were appointed by Redwing in October 2021, to complete works to improve the fire safety of the buildings, including works to the façade, roof, courtyard decking
Considerations for facility owners and operators… While it may seem counterintuitive that fire is even a risk in spaces designed to maintain cold temperatures, cold storage in fact presents a huge fire hazard for warehouse designers and builders, life safety installation companies and facility owners. In this article we cover
General Air Products has partnered with Cortec® Corporation to develop a Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor delivery system for corrosion mitigation of fire sprinkler systems. General Air Products calls this new Vapor Pipe Shield “A game-changing innovation in corrosion prevention technology for dry [and] pre-action fire sprinkler systems.” Cortec® is excited
Have you ever wondered why we charge what we do for our firestopping solutions? Stick with us and in this short article you will find out all about the Quelfire value proposition. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that our aim has never been to provide the cheapest products on
We often talk about why the industry needs to embrace cultural change and what it can do to facilitate this change. But with this, it is easy to forget to recognise the steps that have already been made in the right direction. Therefore, we wanted to focus on some of
Amianto Services, a UK leading asbestos abatement firm, has successfully renewed their three-year asbestos licence with the regulatory board, Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Since their inception, Amianto Services have worked on large and complex projects across both the public and private sectors; from NHS trusts and higher education providers
Essex based timber window and door manufacturer Mumford & Wood, received a first of its kind, ‘Commercial Long Standing Service Award’ to celebrate supporting Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for 20 years. As one of the largest fire and rescue services in the country, Essex County Fire and Rescue
In the search for the most cost-effective materials in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors, the fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties of materials are often considered too late. Here, Eric Moussiaux, VP technology at Exel Composites, explains why it’s important to understand the standards, select the right tests, and
Tendering for smoke and fire safety systems is arguably one of the most complex processes in construction, but it needn’t be. The ultimate aim should be to have a compliant solution that prioritises safety to life above anything else; after all, a person dies every two days in a smoke
The importance of understanding the revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables which reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire cannot be stressed enough. These cables maintain the circuit integrity of a building – providing power for essential
M&Y Maintenance and Construction have completed an extensive Fire Safety Project on two five storey apartment blocks on Cheapside in Liverpool City Centre. M&Y were appointed by Redwing in October 2021, to complete works to improve the fire safety of the buildings, including works to the façade, roof, courtyard decking and balconies. The original timber cladding on both blocks was removed and replaced with new rendering. Remedial render coatings were also applied to the gable elevations to extend the life of the material. Decking on the courtyard, balconies and roof top garden terrace was removed and replaced with a mix of paving slabs and aluminium decking, further reducing fire risks and improving slip resistance. One roof was completely replaced, improving the thermal efficiency of the building, with new edge protection also installed. Together, these improvements should last for a minimum of 15-20 years with correct maintenance. To complete the project, the steel framed balconies, gable end elevations and an external wall were repainted. Internally, the lobbies of both blocks were also painted to give the building a fresh finish for its residents. Kevin Moses, M&Y Director of Operations said: “We’re so proud of M&Y’s growth into Fire Safety works. With the support of our experienced staff, we’ve been able to ensure the works at Cable Yard have been completed to the highest standards, leading to safe homes now and into the future. With another fire safety project already underway, we’re excited to continue to develop this workstream and offer fire risk assessment and follow up work to housing associations and local authorities across the North West.” Alex Andani, Executive Director of Property Asset Management at The Regenda Group said: “We’re pleased to have completed improvements to Cable Yard, leading to higher standards of fire safety throughout. We’d like to thank all of the residents for their patience and support while these works were carried out. We’re especially pleased with the work delivered by M&Y which is to an excellent standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Considerations for facility owners and operators… While it may seem counterintuitive that fire is even a risk in spaces designed to maintain cold temperatures, cold storage in fact presents a huge fire hazard for warehouse designers and builders, life safety installation companies and facility owners. In this article we cover the risks, considerations and best detection products when thinking about life safety for cold storage warehouses. In the last year, the UK’s cold storage industry capacity has topped 40 million cubic meters, for the football fans amongst you that is the equivalent to the bowl volume of 35 Wembley Stadiums. This is being driven by consumer demand and big business for perishable goods and pharmaceutics, making cold storage an essential cog in the UK economy. From a feasibility point of view however, cold storage is substantially more complicated and more expensive than dry storage because of the regulations around refrigerated freight. Plus, the very nature of the materials used in cold storage, means it presents a higher risk factor when it comes to fire. So as the demand for refrigerated products grows, so does the need for better fire safety. Why no two cold storage units are the same Cold storage areas vary in size, usage, and ambient temperature, meaning that any fire detection equipment or system must be specifically designed to each warehouse. You may be surprised at some of the products that may need cold storage. There are the obvious ones like perishable food (vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood, dairy products), but what about flowers and plants, biopharmaceutical products and did you know, even some artwork needs to be kept at low temperatures. Understanding the unique circumstances of the product is essential for cold storage fire safety. A bespoke fire risk assessment will determine the life safety system needed to maintain optimum fire security 24/7, protecting the goods, equipment and most importantly staff operating within the building, but this can be a complicated task to map out and assess for the responsible person. So, where to start? What are the fire risks in cold storage warehousing? Besides arson attacks and carelessness from people on site (think discarded cigarette butts), fire risks within cold storage mostly arise from electrical or mechanical faults in the conveyor systems which transport the goods around the building, wiring that is housed in the roof or faulty lighting systems. The fuels which power the evaporative condensers used to sustain the low temperatures in cold storage warehouses is highly flammable so must be stored safely, and the machines themselves can also be a major contributor to fire risk. These machines remove air moisture to extremely low levels of humidity to keep the warehouse cool, which can create an increased risk of static electricity and in the case of a fire could accelerate the spread of flames. Cold storage fires have the potential to be devasting, posing a threat to life, destroying business operations and be detrimental to the supply chain. Even small fires can cause huge damage to a refrigeration business – a rise in temperature due to cooling plant down-time following a fire, can lead to stock being damaged. The strict laws around downtime requirements make it even more important to choose the right method of fire protection. There are also considerations to be made around smoke damage, as any stock exposed to low levels of smoke over an extended period can quickly become contaminated and therefore not fit for human consumption. Of course, the issues are further compounded by the fact that modern technology now means that an increased number of warehouses are automated almost 24 hours a day, meaning very few or no personnel are on site. This makes visual identification of a fire incident unlikely, so the safety of the building is completely dependent on automatic fire detection systems – making it imperative that the system in place is up to date and well maintained. What can be done to prevent a cold storage warehouse fire? Dangerous scenarios are preventable when fire safety experts have been consulted, the correct life safety equipment is installed, the electrics and mechanical devices in use within the building are well serviced and the correct health and safety regulations are followed. Essential action when you consider preventable fires in the UK warehouse industry costs our economy upwards of £230 billion each year. A risk assessment, when carried out properly and thoroughly according to law (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005), is the first place to start. It is also advisable to get an independent audit by a consultant or insurer as this will help ensure any fire strategy for your cold storage facility is robust. Many modern warehouses now include firewalls which are a cost-effective solution to manage the risk of fire. Smart warehouse managers should also consider the safe storage of waste and other flammable materials to stop the spread of fire if it were to break out. Keeping these materials in a designated safe storage area will reduce the risk of them causing a fire. The best way to save lives of course, is to ensure automatic fire detection is in place, across your entire cold storage facility. With special attention paid to vulnerable areas. Fire specialists can advise on multiple fire detection solutions that are ideal for warehouses, but it is important to ensure that the right one for your scenario is installed. Why air sampling fire detection is a good option for cold storage warehouses There are multiple fire detection systems that can be used to protect warehouse storage, but when it comes to cold storage, you need to plan and design appropriately. Beam detectors which are commonly used in large warehouses can frost over in a cold storage situation, there are options in the market now which include heated optical elements to negate this however they might not be a device to solely rely on. Point detectors would also frost over and wouldn’t necessarily provide the appropriate cover. Flame
General Air Products has partnered with Cortec® Corporation to develop a Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor delivery system for corrosion mitigation of fire sprinkler systems. General Air Products calls this new Vapor Pipe Shield “A game-changing innovation in corrosion prevention technology for dry [and] pre-action fire sprinkler systems.” Cortec® is excited about the opportunity it opens for facility engineers and consulting engineers to apply the benefits of VpCI® Technology to critical fire suppression systems. A More Dependable Alternative to Nitrogen Purge The Vapor Pipe Shield is a convenient, more dependable alternative to nitrogen blanketing or dried air for protection of fire sprinklers against corrosion. It relies on Cortec® VpCI® Technology—Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that create a protective molecular shield on the inside of the sprinkler piping system. No special equipment is required; the cartridge is compatible with standard sprinkler setups and is easy to install between the air compressor and the piping. Compressed air initially helps the Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors diffuse throughout all branches of the piping system to form an active layer of protection on metal surfaces. Since these Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors continue to protect as long as the system remains closed, corrosion mitigation does not depend on a constant source of electricity. That means a failed air compressor, nitrogen generator, or power source does not equal failed protection or require complete reapplication. Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors also protect in the presence of residual moisture and oxygen. Patenting, Testing, and Certification By drawing on its expertise in compressed air and nitrogen purge systems for fire sprinklers, General Air Products was able to bring to life the technology envisioned in one of Cortec’s latest patents. Vapor Pipe Shield technology follows one of the patent’s two recommendations for distributing Cortec® Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors throughout the system. General Air Products reported that preliminary testing of the Cortec® inhibitor treated sample showed better protection than samples treated with (1) nitrogen and (2) compressed ambient air. General Air Products also evaluated the speed of VpCI® vapor migration throughout a dry sprinkler piping system test rig and determined that full distribution and protection could be achieved within one week of installation. Further validation testing continues. Most recently, the product received UL certification for use in dry fire sprinkler systems, overcoming the last major hurdle to bring Cortec’s patented technology to market. A New Era for Fire Suppression Cortec’s collaboration with General Air Products culminates years of visionary R&D to bring time-tested technology to a market that stands to benefit in terms of cost, convenience, and effective protection. It is yet another step forward in what may become the next best trend in fire sprinkler protection. Contact Cortec® to learn more about this corrosion mitigation system, or to discuss other possible Cortec® Technology collaborations: https://www.cortecvci.com/contact-us/
Have you ever wondered why we charge what we do for our firestopping solutions? Stick with us and in this short article you will find out all about the Quelfire value proposition. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that our aim has never been to provide the cheapest products on the market, but to ensure the industry has high-quality, tested products alongside all the required support. With a robust testing programme, we have grown into a brand renowned for its scope of application within the construction industry, providing firestopping solutions for real-life scenarios, based on valued customer feedback and trends on the market. With an ever-growing library of tested details, this ensures that the industry has primary test evidence over engineering judgements. Therefore, the value lies in the cost of the tested system, not the cost of each individual product. We strongly believe that a building needs to be designed around tested details. To achieve this, we work in partnership with all parties involved in the design and management of the installation of firestopping systems to ensure they have all the tools and information to benefit them when making an informed decision about which solution to use, and how to install them. We also go above and beyond when educating the industry about the importance of fire safety and use every platform available to us; should it be panel discussions at exhibitions, CPD accredited webinars, or one-to-one consultations about early engagement in firestopping. So why is it worth paying for the more expensive products that come with all these benefits? Because the cost of not getting it right the first time around is far greater than choosing to work with a competent manufacturer that can support you with tested details and all the necessary technical support along the way. Any issues that come to light during the design and installation stage will inevitably cause extra costs and delays, extending the projected completion date. For example, if there is no tested solution at the design stage, you will need to go back and redesign; if products are installed incorrectly, these mistakes will have to be rectified; and if issues are found at the inspection stage, you’ll not only have to rethink the installation of the firestopping products, but the design of them, too. Ultimately, in worst case scenario, if errors are not identified during the final inspection stage and a fire breaks out when the building is already occupied, risking lives will be the price of cutting corners and not taking building safety seriously. Using the right product, with the suitable test evidence and guidance of the manufacturer will see firestopping designed and installed correctly. It may seem more expensive initially; however, money will be saved in the long run by choosing competency over cost and wanting to do it right the first time around. Let’s start prioritising life safety over cheaper products and money saved. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
We often talk about why the industry needs to embrace cultural change and what it can do to facilitate this change. But with this, it is easy to forget to recognise the steps that have already been made in the right direction. Therefore, we wanted to focus on some of the positive changes that have already taken place in the industry and to celebrate the successes of all parties, from architects to installers, in coming together with a newfound hunger to make a positive change to construction. Construction is a tough job. But it’s also a rewarding one. And there is plenty to be proud of! Although the Building Safety Act got off to a somewhat shaky start with the industry still trying to ‘cut corners’ and ‘game the system’, it is now starting to wake up and welcome the changes in legislation. The Building Safety Act is bringing much needed change to construction for example, the introduction of the Gateway regime and the Golden Thread of Information. The Gateways (1,2 & 3) work to make sure that fire safety is considered from the design and build stage through to the completion and occupation of a building. They essentially ensure that a building is compliant. The Gateways also help to form part of the Golden Thread which is both: In a similar way, the industry is seeing the introduction of schemes such as the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) and BSI Identify. The CCPI will help ‘organisations drive higher standards in the presentation of construction product information, prioritising building safety’. It is built around five acid tests concluding that product information must be accurate, up to date, accurate, accessible, and unambiguous. Further to this, BSI Identify also works to support the Golden Thread of Information by supporting ‘product identification and traceability in the Built Environment’. While legislation change, in some cases, forces people into doing the right thing, it has been great to see an increase in authentic talk around competency, trust and collaboration. For example, at London Build Expo, the UK’s leading construction show that took place in November 2022, most panel discussions on the fire safety stage had an overarching message of compliance and creating a safer future for residents of high-rise and multi-occupancy buildings. What is really enthusing is that the industry is not only talking about the need for these values, but taking action too. Firestopping is of a smaller value compared to other packages such as the M&E package. Therefore, historically, it was not considered until months after the start of a project which, as many tragedies have demonstrated, is far too late! However, in more recent years, there has been a shift in attitudes and practices when it comes to early engagement in firestopping. It is starting to be common, yet important, knowledge that firestopping needs to be considered as early as the design stage, ensuring that a building is built around the test evidence that is available. Individuals are now taking a more proactive approach by asking what do we want to build, how do we want to build it and what tested solutions are available. We have seen this through the influx of design meetings and increased interest in webinars, CPD and toolbox talk training. These are just some of the ways that the industry is showing that it is dedicated to fire safety and to doing it right the first time around. There has also been an increased demand for more educational content across the industry ranging from new tested detail information to how-to videos to longer, more in depth articles. We, as manufacturers and suppliers of passive fire protection, feel that with a little push from the Building Safety Act, as well as the strong desire within organisations to do the correct thing, the industry is now starting to actively utilise manufacturer’s guidance and technical support. The world of construction is changing, and it is time that we all take a closer look at what the future holds for us. This year may have felt challenging for those embracing change, but it has also shown us that the only way to succeed is to work together and collaborate, encouraging compliance and competency across all parties! By doing this, we are making a difference in the world, one building at a time. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amianto Services, a UK leading asbestos abatement firm, has successfully renewed their three-year asbestos licence with the regulatory board, Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Since their inception, Amianto Services have worked on large and complex projects across both the public and private sectors; from NHS trusts and higher education providers to the housing sector and established commercial businesses. As proud partners of award-winning property and development firm, The Sovini Group, the asbestos specialists offers an ‘outstanding’ asbestos and abatement removal service, in addition to their recent expansion of services which has seen them provide thousands of passive fire protection (FIRAS) systems nationwide. Following a rigorous application process, Amianto Services are proud to have successfully achieved the renewal. Gaining the three-year HSE asbestos license gives clients further confidence that they are working with an established and trusted contractor. The HSE licence is set in place due to the significant risk’s involved in working with asbestos in public environments. Working with asbestos requires a high degree of regulatory control and the purpose of the HSE licensing is to achieve this. Following Amianto Services recent accolade their services will be monitored through regular audits and assessment to examine their quality of work as an official licence-holders. Amianto Services have a strong reputation for quickly and safely removing asbestos, and therefore this recognition demonstrates the company’s commitment to deliver the highest possible standards in all aspects of handling the removal and disposal of asbestos. Tony Loughran, Managing Director, commented, “Through a significant amount of hard work and a collective team effort, we are all looking forward to continuing our rapid and scalable growth. It is testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment to continually deliver highest standards and maximum safety possible.” For more information, or if you have an upcoming project to discuss with Amianto Services friendly and knowledgeable team, call 0151 529 7111, email info@amiantoservices.co.uk or visit www.amiantoservices.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Essex based timber window and door manufacturer Mumford & Wood, received a first of its kind, ‘Commercial Long Standing Service Award’ to celebrate supporting Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for 20 years. As one of the largest fire and rescue services in the country, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service serves 1.8 million residents across 50 fire stations. The Service relies heavily on on-call firefighters and their employers to provide cover across Essex. On-call firefighters live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and respond to incidents when they are paged. They have jobs and busy lives outside of the fire station and are paid to protect their community as on-call firefighters. Mumford & Wood currently have two on-call firefighters that are available 24/7 to attend emergencies covering fires, road traffic collisions, specialist rescues, maritime incidents, flooding, and incidents relating to hazardous materials. Mumford & Wood permits their employees to respond to calls during work hours, and this award is a great recognition of that. Dion Panting, Managing Director, Mumford & Wood states; ‘The fire service offers their on-call firefighters in depth training in a wide variety of tasks from which we absolutely benefit. As a Made in Britain and Essex based manufacturer we also understand the importance of supporting our local community in any way we can, and over the past 20 years our team have responded to almost 2,000 calls during work hours – an achievement we are incredibly proud of.” Karl Edwards, Director of Corporate Services at Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mumford & Wood for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and support in enabling their employees to provide their time and professionalism as on-call firefighters in Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. ECFRS on-call firefighters make sure their local communities are kept safe and the support that local employers provide in releasing their staff to respond to emergency calls or for periods of training and education is essential to ensuring that we can maintain effective engagement and response to the public of Essex”. Mumford & Wood boilerplate: Mumford & Wood designs and manufacturers Britain’s Finest Timber windows and doors for Commercial and Residential developments, using time-served craftsmanship and state of the art technology from 1954. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service boilerplate: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service employs more than 400 on-call firefighters across the county. They all live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and respond to incidents when they are paged. Many of the on-call firefighters have full-time jobs outside of the fire service and are supported by their employers to respond to incidents during working hours. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the search for the most cost-effective materials in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors, the fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties of materials are often considered too late. Here, Eric Moussiaux, VP technology at Exel Composites, explains why it’s important to understand the standards, select the right tests, and choose composites that deliver the best FST performance. Whether it’s windows, doors or curtain-wall profiles, interior or exterior cladding, or even railway cable trays, the fire, smoke and toxicity properties of materials should be considered early in the journey of any new project. Fail to do this and by the time you come to consider the FST properties, you’ll already be on the backfoot, potentially having to overspend to acquire a material that meets all your needs. In extreme cases, not considering the FST properties of a material early on could result in businesses having to discard or offload materials they’ve already purchased or make costly adjustments to tooling investments. Fragmented standards Part of the problem stems from the historic discrepancy in fire standards across Europe, which weren’t unified until about two decades ago. Whether it was Germany’s Musterbauordnung (national model building code), France’s safety commissions, Spain’s onus on local authorities, or the UK’s devolved enforcement, there was little harmony in fire safety. Some of these rules were prescriptive — requiring structures to meet specific fire tests — others were based on performance testing, where the regulation only set out how a building or structure is expected to perform, not how it should be designed. Ultimately, it was clear that fragmentation was creating trade barriers, and hampering business. A harmonized standard In 2000, the European Union introduced the Euroclass system, or EN13501-1. This system classifies the reaction to fire of construction and building materials, based on three main factors: combustibility, smoke production and the production of flaming droplets or particles. Combustibility achieves a classification from A1-F with A1 being the least combustible; smoke production ranges from S1 to S3, with S1 producing the least smoke emissions; and flaming droplet production ranges from D0 to D2, with D0 demonstrating no dripping. So, for example a material classified as B-s2,d0 would be one with limited combustibility, that produces smoke at a quantity and speed that is of an average intensity, and produces no flaming droplets during combustion. Standard tests However, the use of defined tests can be a limiting factor. In a recent project, Exel Composites worked with a customer in Germany to develop a composite cable-tray for use on embankments at the side of German railroad tracks. Hot summers can cause the desiccated grass to catch fire from sparks generated by the brakes of a passing train. The resulting bush fire can expose the underside of the elevated cable trays to fire, so it’s essential that the tray can continue to protect the cables inside it. There is a danger that choosing a simple, well-known test in such specifications, can be less relevant to the real-world application and add unnecessary difficulty. One such test is the UL 94 vertical test in which a small sample — 25 mm wide by 100 mm in length — is lit at the bottom with a 20 mm flame. Picture it like holding a matchstick from the top and lighting it from the bottom; the flame will quickly reach and burn your fingers. In this scenario, the specified bushfire test is much more appropriate. Here, a normalized quantity of hay is lit under the tray. The tray must then withstand the fire until it stops, without causing structural damage or allowing the internal temperature to rise high enough to damage the cables inside. The difference is that one material composition might fail the UL 94 test dramatically, while surviving the bushfire test with flying colors. FST performance As well as selecting appropriate FST tests, specifying engineers must ensure that the composites they choose are not hazardous to health. Many composites contain flame retardant additives, which reduce or delay the combustion process using substances such as aluminum trihydrate (ATH), which give off far less toxic smoke when burned compared to traditional halogenated additives. However, the associated filler material leaves less room for reinforcing fibers, which can affect structural performance. The answer is to work with a composites partner that understands the complex manufacturing and pultrusion techniques to produce composites that deliver both structural and FST performance. The takeaway here for anyone working in the building, construction, or infrastructure sector is to consider FST requirements early, understand the standards, select the right tests, and choose composites that deliver consistent, high-quality results. To find out more about composites for building, construction, and infrastructure applications, visit www.exelcomposites.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tendering for smoke and fire safety systems is arguably one of the most complex processes in construction, but it needn’t be. The ultimate aim should be to have a compliant solution that prioritises safety to life above anything else; after all, a person dies every two days in a smoke related fire. But red tape and legislation have made the safety of building users less of a priority and over time, bad habits have become the norm, making the tendering process about a race to the bottom on price – and often, quality. To challenge this, SfS, part of Exyte Hargreaves, is sharing four steps to overhaul the tendering process to make it more efficient and result in solutions that are legally sound, which meet the requirements of the entire supply chain, and which put safety top of the list. 1 Consider the application of the building Smoke and fire safety products undergo rigorous testing when they’re installed to any application so when they fail, a lot of responsibility is placed on the manufacturer; the assumption is always that the fault must be product-based, and not whether the product in question was right for the application in the first place. After all, in most cases, once the system leaves the production line the manufacturer is unlikely to be involved in its use thereafter. Typically, it’s a fire consultant that should have the final say over what smoke and fire solution is installed to a building; this should be taken as gospel, they’re the experts. But in many cases contractors will de-spec and install a product of lower quality (and therefore cost) to secure the job. A fire consultant might step back in and challenge what’s been fitted, but they don’t often have the influence to reverse the decision. A building’s intended use should be the basis of every decision made in the specification and installation of smoke and fire safety solutions. This might vary, depending on at what RIBA stage the project is at when fire safety is eventually discussed. But each application will have unique requirements that should see everyone involved seek out the expertise of a smoke and fire expert; for example, does a building need a basic smoke vent, or does it require an engineered lobby smoke extract system with dampers on every floor suitably sized for the designed airflow? System pressure, the number of insulated blades, number of operations, whether the system is automatic or manually operated and so many more criteria should be individually analysed to determine which solution is best suited to the application in question. There is responsibility on everyone involved in the delivery of a building to critically challenge whether what’s specified is fit for purpose, but working with a specialist that is involved in every step of the fire safety strategy – design, manufacture and installation – can make that accountability less of a burden. 2 Get a smoke safety expert involved from the start Going down that route is advisable, and is something that should be at the very top of the agenda during the planning stages of any build, and every stage thereafter. Architects and designers are responsible for determining how a building will look and function – they’re not experts in fire safety, nor are they expected to be. On the other hand, building control and fire departments – those who are experts in fire safety, are rarely, if ever, involved in the upfront planning of a building. Why, then, hasn’t the industry taken steps to have a consisted thread of fire safety knowledge running throughout the delivery of every new building? It is only experts who live and breathe smoke and fire safety who will bring the relevant perspective required to ensure a fire safety system is compliant, suitable for the application and capable of saving lives should a fire occur. All too little, this vital information is omitted from a building spec and even if it is included, it’s often lacking the intricate detail needed to ensure anyone using the building in the future can be kept safe. Then, when a building is nearing completion and a fire specialist is brought in to assess the solution that’s been installed, it’s too late to implement a more suitable system. As experts in this field, we’re stepping up our own responsibility, ensuring we achieve strong relationships with parties at every level of the supply chain so we can provide that consistent thread of expertise. 3 Don’t focus on budget One of the other main reasons a building will be left with a less-than-suitable smoke and fire safety solution is due to budget. A quantity surveyor, for example, is unlikely to have the knowledge of the individual components of a fire safety system that make it both legally compliant and suitable to the individual application. So, if they’re presented with what appears to be two ‘like for like’ products that differ in price by a few hundred pounds, they’re inherently drawn towards the cheaper option. But it’s not very often that ‘like for like’ is exactly that. Our priority is to create solutions that specify to the correct criteria for each and every individual building we’re tasked with supporting. Often, that means being told we’re the most expensive of three different organisations tendering for a job, even though what the client sees in black and white appears to look the ‘same’. We use this as an opportunity to provide an education – are we comparing apples with apples? There aren’t actually huge swathes of differences in the fire safety products available on the market, so the price difference comes down to everything else we offer – ultimate compliancy, support throughout the entire design and build process, a solution that’s fit for purpose and a promise that we would never break specification to bring down costs if it meant putting people at risk. The tendering process should be really transparent, but it isn’t. It always leaves us
The importance of understanding the revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables which reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire cannot be stressed enough. These cables maintain the circuit integrity of a building – providing power for essential services and fire-fighting systems – for fire and rescue services to carry out a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. AEI Cables has won widespread support for our initiative highlighting the need for only using approved cabling for the range of critical applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables. Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West, is supporting the initiative while other industry organisations have also expressed support including Electrical Safety First and national fire safety membership body The Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO). The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables apply to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia. Circuit integrity The revised Code of Practice for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under BS 8519: 2020 – which covers how to select and install fire-resistant power and control cable systems – makes various amendments and requires a full understanding for those in the supply chain. The standard clearly references and clarifies the products and levels of performance that should be used. The new Code is intended to inform and guide designers, contractors, fire engineers, regulators and enforcers including building control bodies, fire authorities, Health and Safety inspectors and equipment suppliers and manufacturers. It is worth examining the standard itself. Indeed, BS 8519:2020 makes reference to the recommendations of BS 9999and BS 9991, with regard to the design and installation of the electrical distribution systems for life safety and fire-fighting equipment. It also makes reference to three categories of circuits required to maintain their circuit integrity under defined fire conditions for varying fire survival times of 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes. Appropriate cable tests are identified for each cable category derived from applicable British Standards, assessing cable performance under conditions of fire as might be expected in an a real fire incident. Critical systems BS 8519:2020 also aims to ensure that the level of circuit fire integrity is not compromised by other components of the whole electrical distribution system, including cable glands, terminations, joints and cable support systems. The revised standard supersedes BS 8519:2010 and includes added recognition of other critical systems, other than life safety or fire-fighting applications; added information on uninterruptable power supplies and further detailed recommendations for the design and selection of the cable enclosure support systems. There are also recommendations for internal and external fire stopping to maintain the switch room fire compartmentation and the need to cater for the thermal expansion of the cable protective enclosure. It is primarily intended for use in buildings which, due to their size, height, form or use, require the installation of life safety and fire-fighting systems, for example sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by a fire engineering strategy. International standards AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers Mineral Insulated Cabling (MIC), Firetec Enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from the AEI Cables distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. By incorporating this guidance into the selection of cabling for these critical systems, those people using these striking new buildings can move about safe in the knowledge that they are safe.
