This April, the Fire Industry Manufacturer’s Expo (FIM Expo) is coming to Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol. The event is organised by the Fire Industry Association and helps to build the bridge between manufacturers of fire detection and alarm products and those in the services world. The expo is a
This week is Sprinkler Week and it is ironic that the week starts with the announcement of a massive fire in Daventry that saw the total destruction of a 400,000 square foot warehouse – a warehouse that was only a matter of months old. Built at a cost of over
BlazeCut Fire Suppression System manufacturer, The BlazeCut® Company has appointed Tecserv UK as its first independent distributor for industrial and commercial applications in the UK. The BlazeCut® fire suppression system is designed to protect small closed spaces at greater risk of fire and operates automatically without any external power
It’s now two months until FIM Expo, Wednesday 25th April 2018. This time the FIM Expo will take place at Ashton Gate Stadium which is the home of Bristol City F.C. and Bristol Rugby. Organised by the Fire Industry Association (FIA), FIM Expo features many of the UK’s leading fire
As a method of documenting, storing and sharing every detail about a construction project, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is fast becoming an industry standard. Its most recognisable feature might be the creation of technically-accurate 3D models, but BIM is really about having a single platform from which all stakeholders and
It’s not just a wall, it’s a firewall, and use of composite panels for such crucial protection is giving buildings a huge performance boost. But, warns Brett Harrington, Divisional Manager for the Firewall and Data Division of ISD Solutions, you get what you pay for and firewalls must never become
This April, the Fire Industry Manufacturer’s Expo (FIM Expo) is coming to Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol. The event is organised by the Fire Industry Association and helps to build the bridge between manufacturers of fire detection and alarm products and those in the services world. The expo is a fantastic place to meet manufacturers and network with other service professionals if you’re working in this niche but still buoyant area of business. The expo’s light and informal atmosphere is renowned for making those close connections and business partnerships due to its small size. Here, instead of wandering aimlessly between stands for hours, you can easily make all the connections you need within a relatively short period of time. A major advantage is that you can see all the products and get answers on how they all work, which is helpful if you’re unfamiliar with a particular area. There is still plenty at the expo even for a seasoned fire detection and alarm pro. The 17 confirmed exhibitors (and more on the way) will be showing a range of their products and with new ranges being developed, so it’s a good time to find out if there are any new products, or explore other manufacturer’s products that you might not have known much about previously. Aside from the exhibitors themselves, there is the added bonus of two free seminars. The first seminar, ‘BS 5839-1: 2017 – What’s changed?’ is presented by the FIA’s Technical Manager, Will Lloyd is known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of British Standards, and can provide expert advice on a wide range of fire detection and alarm issues. The seminar covers the latest major revision of the standard, BS 5839-1, and the differences between this version and the old 2013 version. Despite it being 2018, there may still be some aspects of the 2017 revision of this standard that you (or colleagues) may be unaware of. The update seminar covers a long list of areas including: Differences between the old version of BS5839-1: 2013 and the 2017 update Unwanted fire alarm signals Multi-sensor detectors in escape routes L3 and L2 systems The use of manual call point covers Places of ‘ultimate safety’ Manual call point locations Communications with the fire and rescue service Staff alarms Video fire detection Types of fire detectors and their selection Spacing and siting of automatic fire detectors Detector spacing and siting on honeycomb ceilings Siting of optical beam smoke detectors Ceiling height limits Cables, wiring, and other interconnections Inspection and servicing This is not a full and complete list but does give an indication of the level of depth that will be presented. The FIA is committed to improving professional levels throughout the industry and this seminar will provide plenty of insight into this complex subject area. The second seminar running at FIM Expo will be discussing the future of the fire industry. What levels of competency will be expected or needed in 2018 and beyond? In our current climate, where pressures on responsible persons/duty holders are rising, what will those potential clients be looking for in a fire detection and alarm service company? Entitled, ‘The future of qualifications in fire detection and alarm’, this is a good opportunity to hear from industry experts and ask questions about the movement of the industry over the next few years. This presentation will be presented by the FIA’s General Manager, Martin Duggan. Both seminars are fully CPD accredited and certificates will be available to pick up from the registration desk at the end. Details: 25th April 2018 Open 9.30 – 3.30pm Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2EJ Complimentary tea, coffee, and buffet lunch Free parking Free entry Seminar times 11am – ‘BS 5839:1 – what’s changed?’, presented by Will Lloyd, FIA Technical Manager 2pm – ‘The future of qualifications in the fire industry’, presented by Martin Duggan, FIA General Manager. Although the event is free to attend, spaces are limited and it’s best to register in advance to secure your space. Go to www.fim-expo.com to register.
This week is Sprinkler Week and it is ironic that the week starts with the announcement of a massive fire in Daventry that saw the total destruction of a 400,000 square foot warehouse – a warehouse that was only a matter of months old. Built at a cost of over £15million and designed with sustainability in mind (it achieved the global sustainability standard, BREEAM), it begs the question, why were sprinklers not included? To top it off, the week also ends with yet another fire at a builders merchants in Brighton. The issue with fire is that all too often we think it won’t happen to us and when it does it is too late to do anything about it. We also don’t always appreciate the impact it can have – but inconvenience is something that we are all too quick to react to. It was only a few weeks ago that many of us were struggling with the snow. When schools close due to bad weather for a couple of days it means disruption. Imagine if your child’s school closed due to fire damage. Imagine the disruption a long term closure or relocation will have on your child’s education? But then there is a double standard when you consider local authorities across England and Wales have fined parents more than £24 million for taking their children out of school during term time but don’t appear to mind if schools are disrupted in the event of fire. It has been estimated that fires in UK schools disrupt the education of 90,000 children and students every year. Who is picking up that tab and what are we doing about it? Well not enough. In 2016, only 30% of new schools were built with sprinklers. Sprinkler Week marks the launch of the NFCC’s (National Fire Chiefs Council) longer term plan to push for legislative change. It is also an opportunity to educate building owners and designers by dispelling the many myths surrounding sprinklers and help people understand their many benefits. Sprinklers save lives and reduce injuries. They protect firefighters who attend incidents and reduce the amount of damage to both property and the environment from fire. In fact they are so good at protecting property that many business that experience a fire and have sprinklers fitted, are able to be back up and operational within days if not hours. Clear evidence that sprinklers work. In fact, the NFCC and the National Fire Sprinkler Network (NFSN) have worked together to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of sprinkler systems. Evidence shows that sprinkler systems operate on 94% of occasions demonstrating very high reliability. Furthermore, it is evident that when they do operate they extinguish or contain the fire on 99% of occasions. Fire doesn’t discriminate; it doesn’t distinguish one building type to another. Its one constant, is that it wrecks lives. The devastating effect of fire was brought into sharp focus with last year’s Grenfell tragedy. As a result, it looks like regulatory change is on its way but the question I am currently finding myself asking, is this change going to be enough? Since Grenfell the weaknesses in our system of fire regulation has been exposed. This has been reinforced in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Interim Report into the Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety calling it “not fit for purpose”. The concern is that we are now in the position of expecting a massive step forward in terms of regulatory guidance and if the rumours are to be heeded, we may just get cosmetic improvements. This isn’t enough. What we need is a wide and deep review of the current Regulations and Guidance – something which many in the Fire Sector have been highlighting to Government for many years. We need this review to consider how we make our buildings resilient. Yes life safety is important, but we need to consider property protection too. Sprinklers provide property protection and I am in no doubt that if the project design team or consultant had recommended sprinklers or the client had insisted on sprinklers, the fire earlier this week in Daventry would not have had the devastating impact it has had. Not only has this fire had a massive financial impact in terms of an insurance claim, jobs will be at risk, the local economy will be affected and there is the environmental impact that removing a fire damaged building and rebuilding it will have. Sprinklers would have helped to create a resilient building and the owners would not be facing the challenges that now lie ahead for them. Sprinkler Week is important. It’s important that we understand the effect fires have and the benefits that sprinklers have. It is also important that we keep pushing for the regulatory change that is so needed. Sprinklers are an effective part of an overall fire safety solution. They can be used efficiently to improve fire safety in a range of new and existing buildings. They save lives, they save property. For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org
BlazeCut Fire Suppression System manufacturer, The BlazeCut® Company has appointed Tecserv UK as its first independent distributor for industrial and commercial applications in the UK. The BlazeCut® fire suppression system is designed to protect small closed spaces at greater risk of fire and operates automatically without any external power source. An extinguishing agent is charged in a storage tube that is installed in the area requiring fire protection. If a fire is detected, the high temperature or the fire automatically melts the storage tube forming a nozzle to release an extinguishing agent. This action can both help to suppress the fire and activate other fire alarm triggers that can help to initiate further emergency responses in order to prevent the fire from spreading. Tecserv UK’s head office is based in Underwood, on the Notts and Derby border, commenting on the appointment, Grahame Tilley, Tecserv UK CEO said, “BlazeCut Fire Suppression System is highly innovative and quite unique in the UK. We are delighted to have been appointed as the first UK distributor and expect the demand to be very high.” He continued, “Initially, we will be raising awareness of the availability of this new product to electrical installation companies, IT network providers and automotive manufacturers. However, in time, we hope to sell it on-line to retail customers who wish to install the detection equipment to the engine bay of their own motor vehicles, or in the home adjacent to audio visual equipment or home cinema’s, which could create two or three new jobs at Tecserv.” BlazeCut® is suitable for the protection of spaces such as electrical switchboards and fuse boxes, IT network cabinets and server rooms, audio-video equipment, vehicle and marine engine rooms and other enclosed spaces at risk of fire. Commenting Sherwin Barroga, BlazeCut® Business Manager for the UK and Eire added, “I am delighted to be working with Tecserv to promote our products within UK markets. BlazeCut® products have been fully certified and have undergone rigorous testing to gain CE, ISO and AQAP approval. I am sure that demand will be high for this highly effective and cost-efficient means of suppressing fire within spaces that are at a high risk of fire.” Tecserv believe that insurers may also view the installation of the BlazeCut Fire Suppression System as a positive approach to risk management by companies who choose to install them. This may be an additional benefit if this further precaution results in more favourable insurance terms. The BlazeCut® Company has a global sales head office in Sydney, Australia, a manufacturing facility in Slovakia, Central Europe and worldwide sales and after care support delivered from the above as well as the UK, America, Thailand and South Africa.
It’s now two months until FIM Expo, Wednesday 25th April 2018. This time the FIM Expo will take place at Ashton Gate Stadium which is the home of Bristol City F.C. and Bristol Rugby. Organised by the Fire Industry Association (FIA), FIM Expo features many of the UK’s leading fire detection and alarm manufacturers and focuses on showcasing the latest products and developments in this sector of the industry. The FIA will also be hosting two free seminars at the Expo. One will outline the changes on BS 5839-1:2017 and the second one will focus on the future of qualifications in fire detection and alarms. Both seminars are CPD accredited and free to attend. You can get the best from vivint alarms. With a wide range of exhibitors confirmed so far, FIM Expo is for anyone working in this area, whether as an installer or maintainer of fire detection and alarm systems, a manager of such systems in commercial premises or as an architect or person specifying what type of fire protection systems should be installed in a building. “We are absolutely delighted to present FIM Expo,” said Kat Schabowska, the Event Co-ordinator, “it’s a fantastic place for like-minded individuals to meet, exchange ideas, network, and learn more about new products from a wide range of manufacturers. New products are being released onto the market all the time and this is a great way to come and see them first-hand and discuss how these new products might work for you.” With an average of 25 exhibitors over the last few years, FIM Expo has grown to become the best local expo for the fire industry. To see a full exhibitor list, head to www.fim-expo.com. FIM Expo is open from 09.30 to 15:30 on Wednesday 25th April and is free to attend. To register go to www.fia.uk.com and click on Events. For general information on the event visit FIM Expo website.
As a method of documenting, storing and sharing every detail about a construction project, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is fast becoming an industry standard. Its most recognisable feature might be the creation of technically-accurate 3D models, but BIM is really about having a single platform from which all stakeholders and contractors can work collaboratively. Every piece of information about the building – from construction forecasts to budgeting – is compiled in one place, allowing clear communication between parties. BIM allows each team working on the project to optimise their processes, facilitates better handovers and ensures the latest information can be accessed by everyone in the supply chain. For a better idea about how this integration can benefit a large-scale construction project, we’ve looked at the benefits of BIM for fire safety. The primary concerns for fire-safety design are minimising the risk of injury or death to those inside and outside the building, as well as preserving as much of the structure and its contents as possible. Fire-safety planning should look at methods for prevention, containment and escape for those inside. Prevention Passive fire protection is essential in preventing a fire from breaking out, and is typically integrated into a project at the design stage. While it is impossible to prevent all forms of ignition (common causes being natural phenomena, technological failure and human carelessness), taking steps to minimise the risk and reduce the amount of fuel available in the event of a fire is not. Common preventative measures include: Relocating potential ignition sources so there is more space between them; Improving the insulation between potential ignition sources (e.g. kitchens, plant rooms etc.) and fuel; Comparing the level of fire resistance for specific building elements; Reducing the number of combustible materials in the interior or exterior design; Installing a dedicated lightning protection system; Maintaining a formal record of fire risk assessments. Using a BIM model is the simplest way for stakeholders to assess a building’s collective vulnerabilities, and work together to minimise them without impacting its functionality. Even once the design stage is complete, the information remains attached to the model so that future occupants and building management can fully understand the high-risk areas of their building. Containment In the event of a fire, it’s important that flames and smoke can be appropriately contained so that occupants can escape from harm. Building design should ensure that fires can be contained within the smallest possible area so that there is minimal threat to life and property. All buildings must meet a certain duration of fire resistance, depending on their size. Most non-residential properties in the UK require at least 60 minutes of compartmentalised fire resistance. Key containment measures include: Self-closing fire doors, actuated when alarms are triggered; Smoke curtains – automated or permanent barriers which drop from the ceiling and confine smoke to a certain area; Fire sprinkler systems; Strategically placed fire extinguishers, fire blankets and other safety equipment; Active venting for smoke to filter outside (rather than through the building). Co-ordinating different detection and containment measures can be difficult at the best of times, but BIM makes it easier for collaborators to visualise the space and work out the most efficient placement. With engineers, designers and health and safety specialists all having access to the plan, fire safety measures can be installed to ensure both cost-effectiveness and maximum coverage. Escape The ultimate goal of fire safety design is ensuring that all lives are protected if a blaze should break out. In some cases, this relies on confinement to a safe area but in most situations occupants will need to make their way to an exit. High-capacity escape routes are the ideal solution, however complex layouts may mean that alternative exits should be considered. Using BIM, designers, engineers and building managers can easily: Calculate and visualise the most effective escape routes for each area of the property; Plan how people with reduced mobility can safely exit take refuge; Understand the building’s resistance to collapse and how it would affect other internal and external services to the property (e.g. fire sprinkler systems or emergency vehicle access); Identify safe points for evacuation; Define the best routes for firefighting personnel. The benefits of BIM extend to emergency services, insurance providers and many other parties, who can use the collated information to navigate the building safely and reliably. Not only does BIM help to streamline the design and construction of a building, it makes it easier to effectively plan and carry out life-saving measures such as fire safety.
It’s not just a wall, it’s a firewall, and use of composite panels for such crucial protection is giving buildings a huge performance boost. But, warns Brett Harrington, Divisional Manager for the Firewall and Data Division of ISD Solutions, you get what you pay for and firewalls must never become mere commodities for sacrifice on the altar of cost. Fire is the disaster that does not discriminate. No matter what or where your company is, fire can destroy it. The importance of fire safety from composite firewalls should therefore never be understated. The trend to use composite panel walls for applications including firewalls in modern warehouse construction is on the increase because of the multiple advantages they offer. In fact, their use across the warehouse sector is fast replacing traditional stud and block products in everything from warehouses and offices to cold stores and distribution centres. They are lightweight, tremendously durable and have improved thermal properties. Furthermore, build times are reduced, construction costs are lower and maintenance is easier. Compared to blockwork its carbon footprint is lower too. And with demand growing for ever-more cost-effective warehousing and all kinds of other storage at home and abroad, we have never been busier. But with opportunities come responsibilities – major ones. Firewalls must never be seen to be a mere commodity open to corner cutting on costs or time. They must use the most innovative fire-protection products, recognised by fire authorities and insurance companies. ISD Firewall, for example, is built around the latest steel-faced composite panels with non-combustible mineral fibre cores to offer complete protection for premises and their contents. These are an evolutionary replacement for jumbo stud or block walling that are faster to install, more aesthetically pleasing and completely demountable for re-use or re-positioning. The best designed firewall packages cover all aspects of junctions and penetrations, sealed using approved materials, which fully meet all clients’ fire protection requirements. The result is clean and smooth, stylish and safe. Furthermore, they are convenient and boast another key advantage: composite panels are a finished product. Traditional wall types, on the other hand, require ‘follow-on’ or ‘wet trades’ to plaster and paint the wall after installation. This in turn often requires scaffolding, which slows down the installation further. Composite panels therefore lead to significant savings in construction programmes and costs. The benefits stack up and are demonstrable: ISD Solutions is seeing upfront savings in build costs of up to 20% when compared to a traditional facility and a reported 30% increase in long-term energy efficiency when compared to traditionally clad building projects for a range of commercial and industrial structures. The facts speak for themselves in exemplar installations such as Hydraforce. The leading manufacturer of hydraulic valves and controls wanted to expand its manufacturing facility by 7,000 square metres to allow it to bring more manufacturing over to the UK from its parent company in America. A major part of the construction project included a 30-minute fire-rated divisional wall to separate office and canteen areas from the warehouse. A series of non-fire rated walls and ceilings meanwhile formed a goods-in-and-out area and quality lab. The project was delivered to the required spec in just six weeks. Fire-rated viewing windows were installed within the office and canteen areas – all seamlessly integrated within the composite panels installed. It looks as well as it functions. All this was achievable because the most innovative fire-protection products were used to meet the requirements of independent certification bodies such as Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). But design and installation are no less important than products and materials. Why should people choose expensive advanced reliable walling systems? Primarily to protect life, and property. By choosing products that are third-party accredited, the designer or architect is able to mitigate those risks and show due diligence has been met. The primacy of protecting life and property means firewalls need to be taken seriously. Products not appropriately third-party tested could contribute to a fire rather than stop its progress. An inferno in 1993 at a food processing factory in Hereford resulted in two fire fighters losing their lives after being trapped by a collapsed ceiling. The nature of construction does not always help. In many areas of the sector contractors are in a fiercely competitive market and increasingly looking to cut costs in any way possible. There will always be a temptation to use a cheaper “equivalent” product rather than an approved or specified one to gain the edge in winning work. But is that so-called equivalent the best product available to ensure fire does not spread? Rarely is the best product the most cost-effective and therefore the construction industry risks building with average products and unskilled labour to reduce costs. As with most things, you get what you pay for, and using accredited products and installers minimises risks. Nowhere is the benefit of using the best products and installers more evident than in design details: the best designed firewall packages cover all aspects of junctions and penetrations. A partition may have multiple types of penetration such as services, steel frames, pedestrian or industrial doors and windows, but each component is integral to create the fire barrier. Such intricate design details were the focus of Urbaser Balfour Beatty (UBB), which wanted fire walls and compartmentation for a massive new Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facility for Essex Waste Partnership in Basildon. One of Europe’s biggest waste treatments, it processes up to 417,000 tonnes of municipal waste from across the county. Containment and separation for the various treatment stages within the facility were critical to ensure safety, minimise fire risk and confine corrosive processing environments. ISD Solutions installed 8,500 square metres of specialist composite steel-faced panels within the concrete and steel structure to form airtight fire separation between key processing areas. The solution met stringent design parameters and used HPS200 coated panels and a unique ceramicoat coating on the firebatt which sealed the firewalls. The resulting high-spec ‘marine quality’ solution is able to
