Only 3% of UK, German and French architects are able to identify the four basic fire protection terms No German architects correctly defined all four terms and only 6% in France and 8% in UK Active and passive fire protection better understood by UK architects than by French and Germany
Wooden cladding and missing fire breaks Residents of 14 blocks of flats in Manchester are suing the government for only protecting flats with Grenfell-style cladding and not looking at the broader picture of fire safety in high-rise buildings. Two years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, the government pledged £600m to
BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have released the revised Scheme Document for their Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (BAFE SP205). Following a thorough review process and a five week public consultation period, BAFE have launched the revised document for Fire Risk Assessment providers. A major point
This year’s International Water Mist Conference will take place in Berlin, Germany, on 23rd and 24th October. The venue will be the Ameron Hotel Abion Spreebogen Waterside. As of today, the programme, which features a manifoldness of topics, is online. Part of the event, as has become kind of
The government is seeking views on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which underpins fire safety in non-domestic premises. Employers and business owners are being asked for their views on fire safety in workplaces in England as part of a Home Office call for evidence launched today. The Home
The Local Government Association (LGA) says the height threshold at which automatic fire suppression systems are required in residential buildings in England should be lowered to 18 metres, down from the current 30-metre/10-storey limit. It is also urging the Government to require automatic fire suppression systems to be installed in
Leading supplier AEI Cables is highlighting the need for the highest quality of cabling for use in sprinkler systems increasingly being specified for use in new modern buildings. This follows a call from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered
Horbury Property Services, part of the Horbury Group, has been selected to provide fire safety services for over 55s accommodation managed by Sheffield-based Arches Housing. The contract involves Horbury Property Services providing fire door replacement and fire compartmentation upgrades, which will be completed within a four-week schedule, as part of
The lead contractor on a new £50 million fire safety framework is Kier, who will serve as the leader for construction management on Hyde’s four-year framework. “We are delighted to be appointed to this very important framework and to be working with Hyde to help them ensure residents continue to be
Only 3% of UK, German and French architects are able to identify the four basic fire protection terms No German architects correctly defined all four terms and only 6% in France and 8% in UK Active and passive fire protection better understood by UK architects than by French and Germany counterparts France has greater understanding of reaction of fire than UK and Germany UK architects have the lowest understanding of fire resistance Only 2% of architects surveyed have had comprehensive fire protection training A third of architects say their current employer doesn’t spend enough on fire protection training Over three quarters of architects believe they are lacking in fully comprehensive fire protection training Zeroignition, the fire-retardant technology firm has announced the European findings from its study of architects and specifiers. Architects in the UK, Germany and France were asked about their knowledge and understanding of four common terms relating to buildings and fire protection. Across the three countries only 3% of architects were able to correctly define the four basic fire protection terms: active fire protection, passive fire protection, fire resistance and reaction to fire. Of the architects surveyed in the UK 8% where able to define the four terms, in France it was only 6% and in Germany none. Across the three countries over half (54%) of architects were unable to correctly define the concept of active fire protection (systems which protect structures and people – typically sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms). This breaks down to one in three (35%) architects in the UK, over half those asked in Germany (59%) and two out of three (67%) architects surveyed in France. When asked to define passive fire protection (whereby the spread of fire is slowed or contained through the use of fire-resistant walls, floors and doors, amongst others), more than half (57%) of architects were unable to provide an accurate definition. UK architects showed the most understanding with just under half (48%) unable to answer. The number of architects who could not answer increased to 61% in Germany and 63% in France. In total 63% of architects could not explain ‘reaction to fire’ protection (products designed to slow the growth of fire in its early stages to aid escape). This includes over one third (35%) of those asked in France, over two out of five (42%) of UK respondents and almost all (94%) German architects. When asked to define fire resistance (a set of products that prevent fire spreading to other parts of the structure) more than half (56%) were unable to. By country this breaks down to almost three quarters (71%) of UK architects and half those surveyed in France (51%). Germany showed a better understanding with less than half (45%) answering incorrectly. Hardly any of the architects interviewed, a mere 2%, said they’d had comprehensive fire protection training, most had some training and less than one in ten (8%) say they’ve never had fire protection training. Ian King, chief operating officer, Zeroignition, commented: “Lack of fire knowledge among architects in Europe, as indicated by the survey findings in the UK, France and Germany, show the issue is not limited to one country. Some countries fare better than others depending on the basic fire term in question but it is clear fire knowledge is lacking across the board. Professional bodies, and the construction industry as a whole, need to invest more and tackle the issue.”
Wooden cladding and missing fire breaks Residents of 14 blocks of flats in Manchester are suing the government for only protecting flats with Grenfell-style cladding and not looking at the broader picture of fire safety in high-rise buildings. Two years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, the government pledged £600m to remove any ACM cladding, which caused the tower to engulf in flames so rapidly, from all tower blocks in the country. However, leaseholders are facing bills of up to £80,000 to fix other fire safety faults, including wooden cladding and missing fire breaks, in scores of buildings and are claiming it is ‘unjust’ for problems to only be resolved when they appear to be systematic. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said, “We have repeatedly and consistently made clear building owners are responsible for the safety of their buildings. “We issued unambiguous advice to building owners 18 months ago to reinforce existing building safety requirements and tell building owners what to do to make sure their cladding system is safe. This advice was updated in December 2018.” The government are being accused of failing to protect tower blocks from fire amid rising frustration that thousands of people are still living dangerously post-Grenfell. Fran Reddington, a leaseholder who is helping to lead the campaign said, “The government isn’t stepping up to help. Some residents are facing £80,000 bills and we don’t have any other choice. Fire doesn’t distinguish between the different types of dangerous material but the government is doing just that.” Suzanne Richards, Manchester city council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said it was “disheartening” to hear that leaseholders in her city felt they had no other option than legal action.
BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have released the revised Scheme Document for their Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (BAFE SP205). Following a thorough review process and a five week public consultation period, BAFE have launched the revised document for Fire Risk Assessment providers. A major point of the review was to maintain the robust certification process whilst acknowledging the large number of sole traders and in-house fire safety teams looking to gain this independent evidence of their competency. With assessments delivered via UKAS Accredited Certification Bodies NSI and SSAIB, BAFE remains fiercely confident that the SP205 scheme continues to represent the best measures of competency in providing the vital service of fire risk assessment. “After the Lakanal House fire in July 2009, BAFE and other organisations were asked by government to provide a competency scheme for fire risk assessments – which we delivered in 2012. This major review reflects our ongoing commitment to quality and safety regarding the importance of a Fire Risk Assessors competency to perform this task in the interest first and foremost of life safety. As the Hackitt Review groups reach their conclusions we will continue to review this scheme against new requirements that arise.” – Stephen Adams, BAFE Chief Executive Notable changes to the BAFE SP205 Scheme Document include: • Revised, clearer Management System requirements for Sole Traders with guidance. • A specific Sole Trader application process, acknowledging current membership status to a professional trade body and/or current certification. • All sub-contractors must be Third Party Certificated (by a UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification Body) in their own right. • Sole Traders sub-contracting to another larger organisation should have their Fire Risk Assessments validated in a separate exercise by that larger organisation. • Enhanced report monitoring for Sole Traders. Certification to the BAFE SP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Scheme is highly regarded as a means of sourcing a quality fire risk assessment provider for your requirements. This is listed within the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council’s Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor which is published on the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) website. Kevin Stearns, the FIA Compliance Manager, comments “The change by BAFE to require sub contracted fire risk assessors to also be BAFE certified is a major change within the scheme, and may have a short term impact on companies who currently use non certified sub contracted, life safety fire risk assessors”. For further information on the BAFE SP205 Scheme and to view the new version of the Scheme Document, please visit the BAFE website>>
This year’s International Water Mist Conference will take place in Berlin, Germany, on 23rd and 24th October. The venue will be the Ameron Hotel Abion Spreebogen Waterside. As of today, the programme, which features a manifoldness of topics, is online. Part of the event, as has become kind of a tradition, will be a panel discussion entitled: “Grenfell, Notre Dame – How can Water Mist Systems prevent loss of lives, property and jobs?” Organizer of the event is as always the International Water Mist Association (IWMA). The first day of the conference will be all about systems in practice and will include the discussion. The second day of the conference will mainly be dedicated to research and testing. The flyer containing the agenda can be downloaded from the IWMA webpage and also from the conference webpage which is accessible directly via www.iwma.net. Please note that the early bird period will end on 15th July. The registration period will end on 18th October.
The government is seeking views on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which underpins fire safety in non-domestic premises. Employers and business owners are being asked for their views on fire safety in workplaces in England as part of a Home Office call for evidence launched today. The Home Office is seeking feedback on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which underpins fire safety in business premises, such as offices, warehouses, shops and commercial venues, to ensure it is fit for purpose. The call for evidence follows publication last year of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review on Building Regulation and Fire Safety, which was commissioned by the government after the Grenfell Tower fire. The order places legal duties on those responsible for the safety of people using business premises. This is typically an employer or business owner, who must carry out fire risk assessments and ensure the safety of staff and others. Minister for Policing and the Fire Service Nick Hurd said: The Grenfell Tower fire was an unimaginable tragedy and we are determined to do everything we can to stop it ever happening again. The government is making good progress on improving the safety of high-rise flats, but we must also look at the wider building safety landscape, including the places where we all work. To help keep people safe, we want to ensure the Fire Safety Order is fit for purpose. To do this, we need to understand how it is working on the ground and make informed decisions in the future. The order covers all non-domestic premises, as well as the parts of residential buildings used in common, such as corridors and stairwells. Under the order, those responsible for fire safety in regulated premises include employers, business owners, landlords, occupiers and anyone else in control of the premises, such as building and facilities managers. The order also applies to anyone with paying guests, including those who run bed and breakfasts, guesthouses or let self-catering properties, as well as hotels. All of these ‘responsible persons’ are being urged to respond to the call for evidence. Their responsibilities include: carrying out a fire risk assessment of the premises and reviewing it regularly telling staff or their representatives about the risks identified putting in place and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures planning for an emergency providing staff information, fire safety instruction and training The call for evidence will run for eight weeks until 31 July 2019, and an analysis of responses will be published and inform the government’s next steps later this year. It complements the government’s consultation, Building a Safer Future, which is also launched today. Led by the Ministry for Housing, communities and local government, the consultation outlines how the government proposes to take forward meaningful legislative reform in the building safety regulatory system. See more information on the call for evidence here and on the Building a Safer Future consultation here.
The Local Government Association (LGA) says the height threshold at which automatic fire suppression systems are required in residential buildings in England should be lowered to 18 metres, down from the current 30-metre/10-storey limit. It is also urging the Government to require automatic fire suppression systems to be installed in all new premises where vulnerable people sleep, including care homes and residential schools. The LGA says existing proposals for a 30-metre threshold is too high given the practicalities of firefighting. Cllr Ian Stephens, chair of the LGA’s fire services management committee, told the LGA’s annual fire conference in Brighton: “Residents have a right to be safe and to feel safe in their homes and automatic fire suppression systems, which can include sprinklers, offer a strong reassurance that is urgently needed following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. www.local.gov.uk/topics/fire-and-rescue
Leading supplier AEI Cables is highlighting the need for the highest quality of cabling for use in sprinkler systems increasingly being specified for use in new modern buildings. This follows a call from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to make the installation of sprinklers mandatory in all residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and care homes taller than 11 metres. The same organisations have also called for sprinklers to be retrofitted where possible. Graham Turner, of AEI Cables, said the issue of providing continuous power to sprinkler systems is a key component of improving fire safety in buildings nationwide. He added: “Buildings such as tower blocks, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, airports and those areas with large numbers of people moving about need cabling which will continue to operate in a fire and provide power for the highest fire protection of 120 minutes. “This ensure fire and rescue services can safely evacuate people and that sprinklers will continue to operate in the event of a fire.” The Hackitt Review into the Grenfell disaster sets out a series of proposals to make tower blocks safer to live in but stops short of recommending a mandatory requirement for sprinklers to be fitted. The new generation AEI Cables’ fire performance cabling ensures critical fire-safety circuits can continue to operate in the event of a fire from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range from AEI Cables offers enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from one source. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB covering design, manufacture and supply. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.
Horbury Property Services, part of the Horbury Group, has been selected to provide fire safety services for over 55s accommodation managed by Sheffield-based Arches Housing. The contract involves Horbury Property Services providing fire door replacement and fire compartmentation upgrades, which will be completed within a four-week schedule, as part of enhancing fire safety for residents. Richard Sutton, General Manager at Horbury Property Services, said: “This is our second major contract with Arches Housing and we are very pleased to be working with them again to enhance fire safety in one of their sheltered housing schemes. Fire safety is an essential requirement in all buildings, and we aim to ensure that the residents of Arches Housing are offered the best possible fire protection.” Luigi Iantorno, asset compliance & reinvestment officer at Arches Housing, said: “Horbury Property Services secured this contract as a result of a rigorous competitive tender. The upgrade to fire doors and fire compartmentation is an important part of our planned maintenance works as we aim to ensure our homes are as fire safe as possible.” As well as fire door and fire compartmentation services, Horbury Property Services provides a full range of works, which can form part of planned maintenance programmes. This includes ceiling and dry wall partitioning inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of fire doors, joinery works, fire stopping, sealing, fire compartmentation, fire alarm and emergency light testing, portable appliance testing, electrical testing and installation work, building fabric repairs as well as external cladding and render repairs. In addition, the wider Horbury Group provides painting and decorating, flooring refurbishment and installation, amongst others. The company has its head office in South Yorkshire, plus regional offices in London and South Wales, ensuring a truly national capability. This regional presence enables its teams to successfully deliver responsive repairs or large planned refurbishment and maintenance programmes. Arches Housing is a community-based social landlord, which was established in 1975 and provides more than 1,200 affordable homes in Sheffield and Rotherham. For more details, visit www.horburypropertyservices.com or call 01709 917555.
The lead contractor on a new £50 million fire safety framework is Kier, who will serve as the leader for construction management on Hyde’s four-year framework. “We are delighted to be appointed to this very important framework and to be working with Hyde to help them ensure residents continue to be safe in their homes. This appointment builds on the strong partnership approach we have established with Hyde delivering fire safety projects,” commented David Mawson, executive director of Kier specialist services. Launched in March 2019, it will provide safety works to homes in the Hyde portfolio and other external users across the country. Works included in the framework range from the installation of fire doors, emergency lighting and sprinkler systems to fire proofing, electrical works and business continuity planning. Kier will fulfill a construction management role to Hyde and/or framework users who wish to utilise works or services from any of the framework lots. “Fire safety is a really important issue and we are really proud to have established this framework with excellent partners and to have made it available to all public sector organisations to use. Resident safety has always been our priority and through this framework we can deliver quality services, ensure that we can manage and address fire safety issues accordingly and get better value for money,” added Jake Le Page, Fire Safety Taskforce Lead at Hyde.
