There are many fire hazards present on building and construction sites, with flammable liquids and hot work present on the day to day job. These hazards mean that workers and visitors are at high risk of injury and potential fires. A fire on a construction site can cause damage to
Europe’s leading door Provider, Hörmann UK, is continuing to position itself at the forefront of industry developments with the launch of its new steel and stainless-steel Fire Rated Sliding Doors for the industrial and commercial construction sectors. Compliant to BS EN 120 and BS EN 240, the single-leaf fire sliding
The International Fire Safety Standards coalition (IFSS), a collaboration of over 80 fire safety leadership organisations of which IWFM is a founding member, has published the first version of its Common Principles. The document sets out to provide fire safety guidance which is universally applicable across all stages of the building life
Following continued success in securing new project and research work, OFR Consultants – the UK’s leading independent fire engineering consultancy – has promoted more than one third of its workforce in the past three months. Whilst Manchester-based fire engineer Ruoxi Shi has won the national SFPE (Society of Fire Protection
All you need to know about the UK equivalent to CE marking and CPR fire testing, as exiting the European Union trade deals continue to conclusion – contact the team today for priority testing! The background – BASEC’s position on CE/UKCA marking On 1st September, Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Specialist manufacturer AEI Cables is calling for the release of details as soon as possible covering new measures which will make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new high-rise blocks over 11 metres. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “The detail in the new guidance is critical so it
Bureau Veritas has secured a place for Fire Engineering services on the Procure Partnerships Framework, designed to simplify procurement for the public sector. Structured around 11 regional framework lots, the Procure Partnerships Framework provides local delivery with national governance to support public sector bodies with their construction projects. Bureau Veritas
Property insurance specialist NFU Mutual is urging commercial property owners and their tenants not to neglect Fire Risk Assessments during the pandemic. The warning comes as NFU Mutual claims statistics reveal a 46% spike in the number of commercial property fires during lockdown. * Trevor Palmer, Property Insurance Specialist at
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have appointed Sheffield based Construction Contractor J F Finnegan to construct Barnsley’s New Build Fire and Rescue station. The project involves the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a new Fire Station, totalling 10,225 Sq Ft. A separate multi-use facility is planned
The distinctive, semi-elliptical shape of the new 90m high glass and steel office building at 70 St Mary Axe in London required proven passive fire protection and acoustic solutions that could fit with the unique curved frame. Leading manufacturer of fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products, SIDERISE, met the challenge.
There are many fire hazards present on building and construction sites, with flammable liquids and hot work present on the day to day job. These hazards mean that workers and visitors are at high risk of injury and potential fires. A fire on a construction site can cause damage to the project itself, surrounding areas, and everyone within the vicinity, so it is vital that fire safety equipment is kept safely on site. Here are several pieces of equipment that should be on every work site: Fire hazard risk assessment The risk assessment on a construction site will identify hazards, risks, and who will be affected. It assesses the extent of the risks and measures to put in place to reduce or eliminate the risk of a fire to make the environment as safe as possible. Controlling the hazards in the environment is fundamental to decreasing the risk of fire, with the need of specific controlled measures implemented on site. Once these measures are put in place, this risk assessment must be kept safe and referred to when needed to ensure measures and safety standards are remaining high. A safe place to store high priority items All important documents and worksite keys, padlocks and cards are to be safely stored in a secure place so that management and employees who require access to these items are able to. A competent key system is needed regardless of the amount of people working on site, as security is paramount for everyone involved. Simple key cabinets, special security cabinets and outdoor key storage cabinets are available depending on company and site requirements. Key cabinets from Reece Enterprise are also fire resistant, so in the instance of a fire on site, the contents will remain safe and intact. Sprinklers and extinguishers Once a risk assessment is completed, the hazards that may cause a fire are sourced and the types of equipment that is required can be assembled. Smaller sites may only require single extinguishers, whereas high risk sites may need a sprinkler system and several extinguishers for employees to use if needed. It is important that the correct extinguishers are kept on site and fire equipment is stored in easily accessible places. Alarms Fire alarms or fire warning systems are used to alert people of a fire on the site, allowing them to escape safely and quickly. Low risk sites may require one alarm or system in place, whereas larger, high-risk construction sites will need a comprehensive alarm system and detectors. It is important that all fire alarms and fire detectors are tested once a week. Escape equipment Escape equipment, such as escape ladders, are of use to construction and building sites when working at height or in multi-story buildings. Before using escape equipment, an escape route should be established that is clearly marked and known to all workers and visitors. In conclusion, fire safety on construction sites must be detailed due to the hazardous working environment. It is vital that all persons present on site have knowledge of how to react in the event of a fire with knowledge of how to use the fire safety equipment.
Europe’s leading door Provider, Hörmann UK, is continuing to position itself at the forefront of industry developments with the launch of its new steel and stainless-steel Fire Rated Sliding Doors for the industrial and commercial construction sectors. Compliant to BS EN 120 and BS EN 240, the single-leaf fire sliding doors are available in two variations, with the FST 120-1 BS Fire Sliding Door offering 120-minute fire resistance and the FST 2410-1 BS providing 240-minute fire resistance. Providing first class fire performance, functionality and style, the two latest models are an extension of Hörmann UK’s impressive offering of sliding doors, which are renowned for delivering unrivalled durability and reliability. This is due to a patented cylindrical track roller and stable track roller, which provide optimal force balance for quiet operation and easy actuation, while the 72mm flush elements create a high quality door leaf with parallel, uniformed edges for a contemporary aesthetic. The new sliding doors are also available with a range of optional additions to meet the requirements of each individual specification. This includes impact absorber profile guards and anti-collision bollards to ensure continued safety and long service life, while the hold-open device and optical or acoustic alarm systems provide enhanced usability and safety. Available in either Pearlgrain galvanised or smooth galvanised surface finishes, there are a diverse range of colours to choose from including Flame Red, Anthracite Grey and Pure White. The sliding doors offer a modern finish, without compromising on fire performance. Paul Tulley, Key Account Manager for Hörmann UK, said: “Our new Fire Rated Sliding Doors, which are compliant to British Standards, are a key addition to our extensive range of fire rated sliding and functional doors. Suitable for installation across a wide range of developments and industries, the steel or stainless-steel doors can withstand heavy usage cycles with ease, due to their impressive quality of construction.” The doors can be operated in conjunction with an FSA-Basis hold-open device control centre, which combines the power supply, warning signals, fire detector evaluation, manual release button and reset device in a compact housing. This is supported by LED lamps or acoustic signals, which communicate the status and alarm states of the door. Additional safety elements, including fire detectors, magnets, recess flaps and fire alarm systems can also be quickly connected for easy integration. The doors can also be operated utilising Hörmann UK’s FSA-Plus hold-open device control centre, which features a battery backup for reliable operation, even in the event of power failures. The doors are also compatible with Hörmann UK’s powerful and maintenance-free SupraMatic operators, which provide fast opening and closing and are also available with soft start and soft stop available as standard, delivering gentle and quiet door travel. In case of fire, a patented compensator release system will unlock the operator, enabling the door to be closed via weights. For further information on Hörmann UK’s fire rated doors for the construction industry, call 01530 516880 or visit: https://www.hormann.co.uk/architects/doors.
The International Fire Safety Standards coalition (IFSS), a collaboration of over 80 fire safety leadership organisations of which IWFM is a founding member, has published the first version of its Common Principles. The document sets out to provide fire safety guidance which is universally applicable across all stages of the building life cycle and can be used by governments, statutory bodies, communities and individuals across the world. Currently, many different fire safety frameworks apply globally, meaning there is no single authoritative way to work. For the first time at an international level, the industry-led IFSS will bring greater consistency and reassurance by setting landmark minimum levels of fire safety and professionalism across the world. The Common Principles are to be presented to the United Nations (UN) with a view to them being accepted as a UN standard. Next year also marks the start of the UN’s Decade of Action for Fire Safety.
Following continued success in securing new project and research work, OFR Consultants – the UK’s leading independent fire engineering consultancy – has promoted more than one third of its workforce in the past three months. Whilst Manchester-based fire engineer Ruoxi Shi has won the national SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers) UK Chapter award for Up and Coming Fire Engineer 2020. The 80-strong OFR team operates from UK offices in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bath, Oxford and Leeds and with a turnover exceeding £8M. 22 of those colleagues have now been promoted; four of the promotions have led to eligibility to join the OFR share ownership scheme which continues the long term promises of the business to ensure that leadership and decision making comes from within the team. Speaking about her national award win which recognised, amongst many things, her ‘commitment to becoming an advocate for the fire engineering profession by encouraging others to join the industry after university’, Ruoxi said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded the SFPE UK Chapter’s Up and Coming fire Engineer 2020 accolade – this is a huge testament to my dedication in promoting Fire Engineering as a career as well as promoting STEM careers for women like myself who are from an ethnical minority background.” Some of the promoted colleagues joined OFR as graduates less than five years ago, and their outstanding technical contribution to the business has accelerated their part ownership of the business; director Sam Liptrott, explained: “Investing in and empowering our people is core to our success. We put a heavy financial and pastoral emphasis on giving everyone opportunities and I’m delighted that, even with the challenges of 2020, this has been upheld with the promotion of these inspiring 22 colleagues. “Our long-term plan has, and always will be, to ensure that shared ownership is viable at all levels. Not just a profit share, but genuine ownership. We recognise contribution from all our team members – from established managers to graduates – and this fits our consistent message of being a technical delivery-focussed business.” OFR Consultants was established just five years ago, has quickly developed into an internationally renowned fire engineering consultancy working on some of the most pioneering global projects – from the Google campus in London to the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. The recent promotions include three new design directors, one associate director, four principle fire engineers, six senior fire engineers, six fire engineers, one finance director and one people and process development co-ordinator. Sam concluded: “Ruoxi’s outstanding award win and the promotions demonstrate our incredible growth as a business since we launched in 2015. To go from an initial team of just two to almost 80 people, shows not only the demand that is out there in the construction market for our specialist skills, but also how we have developed our reputation as the pre-eminent fire engineering consultancy through our work on some of the most exciting projects, both here in the UK and overseas. “Our initial vision was to create a business whereby we continually invest in team talent and I am proud that we have consistently maintained our commitment to that by providing great career opportunities, continued support and training as well as the opportunity to own part of the business as it grows. I congratulate each and every one of our recent promotions and thank them personally for the tenacity and dedication they show on a daily basis. “I look forward to announcing more progression within our superb team at OFR very soon.” For more information about OFR, please visit OFR’s website at www.ofrconsultants.com
All you need to know about the UK equivalent to CE marking and CPR fire testing, as exiting the European Union trade deals continue to conclusion – contact the team today for priority testing! The background – BASEC’s position on CE/UKCA marking On 1st September, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) communicated the latest position regarding withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and the future position regarding CE marking under CPR. Statutory Instrument 2019 No 465 covers all aspects of how those trading with the UK must move forward with Construction Products building market standards, for full details read more here: http:/www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/465/made BASEC is in the unique position of having established both BASEC UK as a UKCA approval body NB 2661 and BASEC Conformity Limited (BCL) as an EU27 notified body via NB 2851. Moving forward On 1st January 2021, BASEC UK will cease to be an EU27 notified body and automatically gain status as a UK approved body. This will be reflected in a database for UK approved bodies similar to NANDO (yet to be published). The current intention is that the same notified body (NB) number will remain, so BASEC will be UK approved body with the existing NB 2661 number. It has been confirmed that the UK approval scheme will be a mirror of the current CPR, all EN standards will become UK designated standards and will again be identical to the EN’s. In this way, the AVCP (testing and FPC) will be no different. As a part of the move away from CE marking to UKCA, the government has allowed a 1-year transition period. Where until 1st January 2022, it will be permissible to use CE marked product that fulfils the below criteria and are: Covered by a harmonised European standard, which is the same as a UK designated standard (as noted above) Affixed with CE marking Accompanied by a manufacturer’s declaration of performance, and Have been assessed by an EU-recognised notified body, where third party assessment is required. Find out more about fire cable standards, testing and certification by downloading the guide. The action industry must take On the surface it appears that there is a further year before definitive action must be taken, however, the below statement brings into focus some urgency, in respect to how transfer of certification between NB’s will need to happen: “Where a UK notified body (which becomes a UK approved body) had carried out tasks or issued certification in relation to the Assessment and Verification of Performance (AVCP) for a product before 1st January 2021, then those tasks and/or that certification may be used to support affixing of the UK marking if the product is placed on the GB market after this date” This means, for all current BASEC customers that have AVCP system 1+ with BASEC it is permissible for BASEC to use this information in support of UK marking i.e. there will be no need for additional parallel auditing/testing. Additionally, any transfers that occur before 1st January 2021 will constitute tasks and the same will apply. Anything after this date will require full parallel testing/auditing. Under the group of notified bodies (GNB) transfer guidance, there is the possibility of cooperation with the current issuing notified body of a customer. This would involve a desktop review of all Initial visit reports, FPC, CoCP and testing. It would then be at BASEC’s discretion of how to validate this information, as it cannot simply be “taken as read”. It would be BASEC’s intention to review all documentation including CoCP and test reports for alignment with CPR requirements. Upon successful review BASEC would then establish a test programme, on a risk basis, as to how many tests would be required to verify alignment between the testing of the issuing NB and BASEC. Successful completion of this process would lead to certificate transfer. At this stage, all system 3 documentation remains valid as previously communicated. BASEC will continue to offer classification reports for existing customers for UKCA system 3, but may wish to retest, dependent on the age of the original test. In summary Key takeaways for you to assess your next steps include: As of January 1st, 2021, BASEC will become a UK approved body and no longer an EU27 NB BASEC Conformity Limited (BCL) NB 2851 will offer System 1+ CPR AVCP as an EU27 notified body BASEC UK will offer UKCA System 1+ and System 3 There is a 12-month transition period where CE marked product will still be allowed into the UK All work carried out by BASEC prior to 31st December 2020 is allowed to be used as technical information to validate UKCA marking This will include any transfers prior to 31st December 2020 Post 1st January 2021 all UKCA work will require new testing/auditing Post 1st January 2021, BASEC/BCL’s service offering will allow 1 set of auditing/testing to satisfy both UKCA (System 1+ and System 3) AND CE (System 1+ ONLY) marking obligations For any further information on the transition to UKCA marking, please contact Mark Froggatt mark.froggatt@basec.org.uk
Specialist manufacturer AEI Cables is calling for the release of details as soon as possible covering new measures which will make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new high-rise blocks over 11 metres. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “The detail in the new guidance is critical so it would be helpful all round for the manufacturers and installers of the products for these systems to see how it is going to work in practice. “We would want to see sprinkler systems currently being specified being covered by the new detail so they can be installed in the knowledge that all best practice has been followed in the interests of safety for all concerned. “The fire performance industry is welcoming the amendment and the sooner the practical guidance can be rolled out then the sooner we can start to familiarise ourselves with it.” In April, the government announced an amendment to the statutory guidance to building safety regulations, known as Approved Document B, reducing the requirement for sprinkler systems from the current 30 metres to 11 metres. The Fire Safety Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in April, will also empower fire and rescue services to take enforcement action and hold building owners to account if they do not comply with the law. The tried and tested generation of AEI Cables’ fire performance cabling ensure critical fire-safety circuits can continue to operate in the event of a fire from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes and often support systems which provide intelligence for the fire and rescue services. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling is the only cable to be independently approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B) Category 3 Control for firefighting systems including sprinkler pumps, fire suppression water mist systems, water spray systems, wet riser pumps, wet riser valve and equipment monitoring under the Code of Practice. 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.
Bureau Veritas has secured a place for Fire Engineering services on the Procure Partnerships Framework, designed to simplify procurement for the public sector. Structured around 11 regional framework lots, the Procure Partnerships Framework provides local delivery with national governance to support public sector bodies with their construction projects. Bureau Veritas has been appointed to the Procure Partnerships Framework Professional Services Agreement in all regions. The four-year framework starts on 1st September 2020 and covers 11 disciplines including project management, structural and civil engineering, quality surveying, MEP design and fire engineering. It follows the recent announcement of a similar contractor framework from Procure Partnerships. It is estimated that this new professional services framework could account for a total spend of up to £500m over the four year period. Steve Highwood, UK Construction Sector Lead at Bureau Veritas, said: “This is a significant achievement for the Fire Engineering team at Bureau Veritas and a real testament to the quality of our services. “With a proven track record of delivery, we provide a range of fire safety engineering services, working closely with clients throughout the project lifecycle to help design and coordinate effective strategies. “Being appointed to the Procure Partnerships Framework will give added confidence in the quality of our services and in the way in which we approach every individual project. We’re delighted to be included on the four-year framework and looking forward to working with public sector clients across the UK in this coming period and beyond.” Robbie Blackhurst, Procure Partnerships Framework Director, said: “This agreement has been two years in the making and it now allows the Procure Partnerships Framework to offer a one-stop shop of both professional services and contractor appointments to our public sector clients. “The framework is divided into sub-regional lots supporting the appointment of both local and national practices, offering both direct award and further competition project call-offs. “We were extremely impressed with the quality of tenders received and delighted with the calibre of suppliers that we now have locked into our four-year agreement.” Find out more about our Construction Consultancy services, including Fire Engineering, at https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/construction-consultancy.
Property insurance specialist NFU Mutual is urging commercial property owners and their tenants not to neglect Fire Risk Assessments during the pandemic. The warning comes as NFU Mutual claims statistics reveal a 46% spike in the number of commercial property fires during lockdown. * Trevor Palmer, Property Insurance Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “The ongoing global crisis has put pressure on commercial property owners and their tenants as they adopt new measures to ensure working environments are COVID-secure, often involving changes to the premises. “Having seen a spike in our commercial fire claims statistics, we’re concerned that the added focus on Coronavirus may be causing some premises to put other safety matters to one side. “While following Coronavirus guidance is imperative, it should not be at the expense of other health and safety activity. Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises, allowing identification of specific areas of fire risk and providing recommended corrective actions to safeguard occupants. “FRAs should also be reviewed if your building undergoes significant change. Where changes impact on any common areas within a property, the owner should consider the implications on fire safety and whether the current assessment will need to be re-visited. “Owners should also encourage tenants to assess if any changes they are making, such as introducing partitioning, changing desk layouts and exit pathways or altering fire meeting points, will have an effect on fire safety and require updates to the FRA.” “As Coronavirus poses new challenges, it is important to give pre-existing dangers equal consideration. The risk of fire remains, and property owners should maintain efforts to protect occupants, properties and themselves from fire incidents. “Robust owner to tenant communications are essential, and while the current focus is likely related to lease agreements, rent and service charge payments, every effort should be made to keep fire safety at the forefront of all communications. All parties should be fully aware of where the responsibility lies for updating the FRA and making necessary changes at the property.” NFU Mutual top tips on fire safety vigilance Communication is key – keep all stakeholders up to date with Fire Risk Assessment progress and changes Ensure all records of contact details are kept up to date in case they are needed in an emergency Regularly review the Fire Risk Assessment, particularly if there have been any changes on the premises Stay up to date with all relevant fire safety legislation Consider consulting fire safety and risk management professionals for technical information on fire safety While it is not a requirement for Fire Risk Assessments to be documented if there are fewer than five occupants, keeping a written record is still advisable While your insurer may not ask for your Fire Risk Assessment, providing it upfront can aid clarity during any subsequent claims For further information on Fire Risk Assessments, you can download NFU Mutual’s guidance document here: https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/maintaining-fire-safety-during-lockdown
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have appointed Sheffield based Construction Contractor J F Finnegan to construct Barnsley’s New Build Fire and Rescue station. The project involves the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a new Fire Station, totalling 10,225 Sq Ft. A separate multi-use facility is planned to be built on the same site along Broadway road in Barnsley. The site is to accommodate a mixture of functions, including operational services, administrative and training facilities for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The build will also include three appliance bays and separate provisions for partners and local voluntary organisations. Whilst the new proposed building is smaller in scale compared with the existing, several design fundamentals have been incorporated to ensure that the new build will preserve a high-quality finish and a strong visual presence. Director of Support Services Stuart Booth, said: “One of our aspirations is to make the service a great place to work. Part of achieving that means investing in the buildings and facilities our staff use every day and we’re pleased to be making real and tangible progress towards this. We considered refurbishing the existing site, but this didn’t provide best value for money and it didn’t provide the best long-term facility for our staff.” Dawa Singh, Head of Pre-Construction at J F Finnegan commented ‘We were delighted to be appointed in April 2020 for the above project during the COVID-19 lockdown period. In collaboration with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service we have worked diligently throughout the national restrictions. We look forward to continue working with the Service and the Local Community to Design & Build a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the very high emergency standards delivered by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.’
The distinctive, semi-elliptical shape of the new 90m high glass and steel office building at 70 St Mary Axe in London required proven passive fire protection and acoustic solutions that could fit with the unique curved frame. Leading manufacturer of fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products, SIDERISE, met the challenge. Built by Mace, 70 St Mary Axe is another example of architects pushing the envelope when it comes to daring and striking design. The curvaceous form of the 24 storey structure presented a number of challenges for façade contractor, Focchi, including the creation of a cold-curved glass panel. In addition, the building’s unusual shape meant each floor was slightly different from the ones above and below, therefore requiring a high level of accuracy and detail to meet the sound barrier and fire stop requirements. The collaboration with Focchi saw SIDERISE recommend the CW-FS 120 fire stop to seal the gap between the curved walling system and the slabs of this tapered building and also as a vertical barrier for each internal steel column. As well as being an effective seal against the passage of fire and smoke, the CW-FS 120 will also function as an effective acoustic barrier and plenum lining. SIDERISE also provided the BM/P acoustic barrier mat to assist in reducing flanking transmission between adjacent internal areas and further improve the room-to-room acoustic performance. Commenting on the project, Matteo Bugané, Project Manager at Focchi said: “The technical assistance and advice from SIDERISE was invaluable to ensure compatibility between the fire stops and our curtain walling system. We also developed the vertical acoustic barrier with the SIDERISE team to reach the required 45dB performance requirements on the project. The experience working with SIDERISE on this project was excellent and we look forward to working with them on the next project.” Whilst specifying the correct product is vital, the quality of installation of a life-safety critical product is equally as important. Throughout the application, the SIDERISE Inspection and Reporting App provided Focchi with an efficient way to effectively inspect, record and seamlessly audit the quality of the installation of the fire stops. By capturing the relevant information on a tablet device, the contractor was able to highlight any issues in need of a resolution. The App allows the user to easily update data input fields, capture multiple photos for each area or element inspected, and then record as in accordance with recommendations, or otherwise. A comprehensive report is immediately generated which effectively offers feedback on the quality of installation of the areas inspected in accordance with recommendations, thereby identifying areas that require remedial treatment. The SIDERISE Inspection and Reporting App is part of a comprehensive range of services from the company’s site services team which ensures that each stage of a project, from product selection to final installation, runs smoothly. With this stunning city building and its curvaceous irregular form a welcome addition to the London skyline, SIDERISE played its part in delivering tried and tested solutions which met the client’s passive fire protection and noise transfer requirements
