Passive Fire Protection manufacturer FSi Promat has secured Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) verification for its Silverliner open state cavity barriers, underlining its commitment to supporting the highest standards in the construction industry. The fire stopping and cavity barrier specialist has successfully demonstrated that its Silverliner range of open state
An interlinked fire and carbon monoxide alarm system played a vital role in saving the life of a tenant living in a social housing property in Scotland. Neighbours were alerted to the fire in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, when home safety specialist Aico’s multi-sensor alarm was activated and began to sound.
A £5 million project to replace cladding and improve fire safety at a 74-home central London development has now been completed. The works at Barrington Court in Victoria form part of A2Dominion’s wider programme to remediate cladding at a total of 65 developments to ensure they meet new government safety
Sentry Fire Safety Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke, certified fire safety doorsets, is delighted to announce its selection as a finalist for two categories in the Growing Business Awards 2024. Sentry has been shortlisted for the Santander Growing Business of the Year (£25-£50m revenue) and Investor-backed Business of
Two years on from the UK’s hottest ever day, the Fire Brigades Union has issued call on the new Labour government to “urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. The call comes as a yellow heat alert is issued for parts of England. Since 2010, the fire
Häfele UK, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of fixtures and fittings, has added a certified fire rated pocket door to its range. Available exclusively in the UK via Häfele, Optimo comes with an optional fire rated FD30 jamb kit. When fitted, the kit ensures the door meets the regulation
ACS Stainless Steel Fixings (ACS) has collaborated with Tenmat – a leading manufacturer of passive fire protection materials and components – to set a new standard for masonry support. In a bid to help developers, contractors, architects and specifiers create safer and more sustainable buildings, the pair have formed a
Fire safety specialist and leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, have forged a new partnership with the Nottingham Skills Academy to offer work engagement for young people. To help invest in the futures of aspiring tradespeople and construction workers, Injecta Fire Barrier has partnered with the Nottingham
Industry leader AEI Cables is issuing a reminder to the electrical cables supply chain to keep safety at the front of mind when it comes to Category 3 Control fire performance cables. The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in
Passive fire protection specialist Promat, as part of the Etex group, has signed up to the Science-Based Targets initiative to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. The pledge will see the company work towards cutting carbon emissions across its operations to support a net zero economy in line with the 2015
Passive Fire Protection manufacturer FSi Promat has secured Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) verification for its Silverliner open state cavity barriers, underlining its commitment to supporting the highest standards in the construction industry. The fire stopping and cavity barrier specialist has successfully demonstrated that its Silverliner range of open state cavity barriers is compliant with the code, which aims to improve standards across the construction industry by ensuring that ‘product information is clear, accurate, accessible, up-to-date and unambiguous’. In offering the CCPI-verified product set, FSi Promat can assure specifiers, contractors and installers that all the information around the cavity barriers is clear, transparent and easy to understand. The code further stipulates that technical information and support should be easily accessible, and that information is supplied by a representative who has received adequate training and demonstrates competency in their knowledge of the system. Introduced by the Construction Product Association (CPA) following the recommendations of the Hackitt Review to raise standards across the industry, the CCPI aims to protect the market for certified products and reinstate trust through ensuring construction processes are as safe and robust as possible. FSi Promat’s Silverliner open state cavity barriers are designed to reinstate the lines of compartmentation within an external façade system, when required, yet allow for the free movement of air to satisfy ventilation requirements. In the event of a fire the intumescent edge of the barrier expands to close the air gap to prevent the spread of fire and heat from one area to another. The time frame within which this contains a fire is vital to allow anyone inside the building to move to a place of safety. Liam Blears, Head of Facades at FSi Promat, said: “Life critical safety products by their very nature must meet the highest performance standards. FSi Promat is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the requirements of fire and safety regulations, and very much welcomes the introduction of the CCPI to help to enforce standards and build trust. “We also understand this needs to be supported by clarity in the messaging around appropriate use and installation – and have built this into our systems and the information around them. “All of our products are third party tested and supported by qualified technical advisors, as we have always believed this is the route to sustain best practice. All key members of the FSi Promat team are qualified to, or working towards, IFE Level 3 to demonstrate competency and we offer training across all of our products. “With the CCPI verification of this product set we are delighted to offer a highly regarded level of compliance in addition to the robust testing and certification systems we have in place at FSi Promat.” Find out more about the Silverliner range of cavity barriers online. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An interlinked fire and carbon monoxide alarm system played a vital role in saving the life of a tenant living in a social housing property in Scotland. Neighbours were alerted to the fire in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, when home safety specialist Aico’s multi-sensor alarm was activated and began to sound. While the resident was initially unable to respond, neighbours who heard the alarms through the wall were able to wake them so they could get to safety. The fire started in the main bedroom of the property, which is owned by Melville Housing Association, whilst the occupant slept downstairs. The flames moved quickly through to the upstairs hallway and activated alarms which were interlinked and located throughout the property. Due to the AudioLINK+ function on the Aico alarms, the landlord was able to review the data following the incident, which showed a peak temperature within the home of 102C, with carbon monoxide levels of 450ppm (parts per million) – nine times the safe limit. David Todd, Property Manager for Melville Housing Association, said: “After speaking with the fire service, neighbours and the tenants of the property, it’s clear that the smoke and heat detection is very likely to have saved the occupant’s life. “The fire started in the upstairs of the property with all alarms sounding due to being interlinked. “The occupant, who has complex needs, was unable to recognise the dangers, however neighbours alerted him by banging on the door and signalling through the window. “Thankfully, the occupant was ushered away to safety and is now fine. “The neighbours were alerted due to the noise from the alarms themselves. “With us being able to take readings off the smoke alarms, which showed temperatures of over 100C and carbon monoxide being nine times the safe limit, it left us in no doubt that the alarms were working, did their job, and played a significant part in keeping everyone safe. “The law on fire alarms means all Scottish homes need to have interlinked alarms, which this incident has proved is very important.” Neal Hooper, Managing Director at Aico, said: “Lives were saved, which is the most important thing. This really brings home the importance of life safety and of having things in your home which give you peace of mind every time you go to bed. “If the alarms had not alerted the neighbours and, ultimately, the tenants, a tragedy would surely have occurred. Instead, everyone was evacuated from the property and did not come to any lasting harm. “Fire and carbon monoxide alarms are critical life safety devices and this example, along with many others, is testament to the hard work and dedication we give to our products to ensure they perform as expected when they are needed. “Too often people will wait until there is increased legislation and regulation before they are forced into taking life safety seriously. We do need better and clear legislation, but at the same time there are relatively inexpensive options which can be fitted to give you peace of mind.” All Aico alarms are manufactured in-house, and each alarm is individually tested multiple times before it leaves the factory. “This incident illustrates the importance of everyone having working, compliant smoke alarm and CO systems in their home. “People often think nothing like this will happen to them, but it can, and it’s important to stress to regularly test all of their alarms to make sure they’re working and to check their expiry date,” Neal added. Melville Housing Association has been working with Aico for a number of years and about 95 per cent of alarms in its properties have been supplied by the manufacturer. “Aico facilitates a number of roundtable events with housing associations which are very well received and where we are able to share important knowledge about fire safety including smoke alarms and fire doors,” David added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £5 million project to replace cladding and improve fire safety at a 74-home central London development has now been completed. The works at Barrington Court in Victoria form part of A2Dominion’s wider programme to remediate cladding at a total of 65 developments to ensure they meet new government safety legislation. Recladding works at Barrington Court Barrington Court, built in 2009, includes a mix of leasehold and social rented homes. A2Dominion invested £5m in replacing the cladding, which includes £1.4m from the government’s building safety fund. No costs have been passed to customers. Saleh Mirza, A2Dominion’s Head of Building Projects, who is responsible for delivering the fire safety remediation programme said: “We first carried out an initial inspection of Barrington Court in 2020 where we found the building used a type of cladding that is now known to be a non-conformant material which is unsuitable for buildings. “Works began in March 2023, and took just over a year to complete ending in June this year. The building now has a new cladding system which is a safe and non-combustible material. Our wider fire safety programme, which involves undertaking fire safety works at 65 schemes, is on track and due to be completed in 2026.” A2Dominion employed contractor Equans to deliver the works with minimal disruption. Solar panels While carrying out safety works, A2Dominion also upgraded the building’s solar panels with the latest technology. The energy supplied through these drastically reduces the amount of power needed from an energy supplier for the communal areas. By introducing the new solar power system, leaseholders in the building will save approximately £6,000 in service charges each year. Continued support offered for customers A team of Resident Liaison Officers and specialist Property and Safety Managers have been supporting customers where fire safety work is taking place. Maaz Khan, A2Dominion’s Senior Property and Safety Manager, who is responsible for managing Barrington Court, said: “One of our key objectives is to improve customer engagement by having a weekly on-site presence. “I have been able to speak to customers face-to-face rather than just over email, which has helped us discuss the building safety works. This collaborative approach has enabled our customers to have their say in decisions about buildings and their homes.” A2Dominion customer Peter spoke about the improvements they had seen in the service they have been receiving and said: “We are seeing results and benefits I never thought we’d see. Residents would appreciate Maaz’s standard and problem solving at A2Dominion moving forward.” Building fire safety programme In 2019, A2Dominion carried out inspections to identify which buildings needed recladding, as part of new safety measures introduced by the government. Although most of its buildings do not need fire safety works, A2Dominion has created a programme to carry out essential recladding to buildings that need it, which included Barrington Court. You can find out more about A2Dominion’s fire safety programme here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sentry Fire Safety Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke, certified fire safety doorsets, is delighted to announce its selection as a finalist for two categories in the Growing Business Awards 2024. Sentry has been shortlisted for the Santander Growing Business of the Year (£25-£50m revenue) and Investor-backed Business of the Year awards, in recognition of its exceptional growth, industry contribution and innovative product range. The Growing Business Awards celebrate the achievements and economic impact of UK high-growth businesses and this year focus on the strength, vision and resilience of fast-growing SMEs. Nominations reflect the critical contribution that successful growing businesses make to the UK economy – driving innovation and creating jobs and wealth. The awards are based on sustainable growth, sector impact, product innovation, and customer engagement. The Investor-backed Business of the Year award also considers the alignment and execution of a company’s strategy with investor goals. Sentry is a trusted partner for fire safety compliance across a diverse range of sectors, including social housing, education, healthcare, leisure, and commercial. Its comprehensive range of fire safety and security doorsets meet the most stringent building regulations and as part of its programme of continuous improvement, Sentry develops new or bespoke solutions to support specialist market requirements. Ranked 3rd fastest growing manufacturer in Yorkshire earlier this year, Sentry has delivered a five-fold increase in revenue, EBITDA and production since 2019, driven by a £3 million investment in new facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. Ty Aziz, CEO of Sentry Fire Safety Group said, “We are incredibly proud of our growth story and excited by our potential so it’s fantastic to be recognised for our achievements. Importantly, we have achieved this while upholding our core values and principles. We have a sustainable approach to manufacturing, partnering with suppliers who share our environmental values; and our strong, long-standing customer relationships are key to our success. We are proud to have expanded our workforce and to use the same local supply chain, sharing the benefits of our growth with our suppliers and community.” Stuart Whiteford, Managing Director, who leads Cairngorm Capital’s investment in Sentry added, “Since our initial investment in 2019, Sentry has delivered a five-fold increase in revenue, EBITDA, and production but has the potential to achieve much more. The company has successfully entered new markets, extended its product range and contributed to local job creation. Committed to advancing fire safety standards, Sentry exemplifies the best of British manufacturing combined with world-leading testing for assured safety and compliance. We are delighted that Sentry’s outstanding performance has been recognised.” For further information, please contact Anna James on 07815 675987 or email anna.james@sentrydoors.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two years on from the UK’s hottest ever day, the Fire Brigades Union has issued call on the new Labour government to “urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. The call comes as a yellow heat alert is issued for parts of England. Since 2010, the fire and rescue service has lost 1 in 5 firefighter jobs and more than 30% of its central government funding. As climate change accelerates, firefighters are warning that a failure to put resources back into the fire service could cost lives. On 19 July 2022, temperatures hit 40.3 degrees in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Fifteen fire and rescue services declared major incidents due to wildfire, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Suffolk. The London Fire Brigades had its busiest day since the Second World War. In the capital alone there were: The LFB ran out of fire engines, with 39 appliances sitting idle because of a lack of firefighters to crew them. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Firefighters know first-hand that the climate emergency is real and getting worse. Wildfires, flooding and heat are a growing threat to lives, homes and communities. “But in recent years, austerity has robbed fire and rescue service of the resources it needs to respond effectively. One in five firefighter jobs has been lost, hundreds of fire engines have been axed and dozens of fire stations closed. “It is welcome that Labour has committed to introducing national standards to address fragmentation. But the new government must urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Häfele UK, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of fixtures and fittings, has added a certified fire rated pocket door to its range. Available exclusively in the UK via Häfele, Optimo comes with an optional fire rated FD30 jamb kit. When fitted, the kit ensures the door meets the regulation standard of 30 minutes fire resistance and is fully certified to EN1634 12016+A1:2018 standards. Meeting these criteria, Optimo is ideal for high-rise residential dwellings, new build properties and commercial spaces. Available from Häfele as a kit containing the door and runners makes delivery and installation simple, with self-close and soft-close kits available as optional extras. The jamb kit is sold separately. A simple, removable track assembly allows direct access to the mechanism without the need to modify the wall, should a soft-close or self-kit need to be added to the door retrospectively. Optimo also offers guaranteed durability up to 10,000 cycles in line with the BS EN 1527 standard. As a pocket door – which slides into a recess within a wall when not in use – Optimo is on- trend and taps into the growing requirement for space-saving door products. Paul Smith, Head of Specification Sales for Häfele UK, said: “Pocket doors have become increasingly popular as a design feature in homes across the UK, ideal for breaking up larger spaces into smaller zones, but also acting as an alternative to swing-out doors in homes with a smaller footprint. They’re useful in modern offices and retail spaces, too. “The Optimo takes all the great benefits of a pocket door and elevates them further, as the only certified fire rated product of its type available to the UK market. As well as this, Optimo meets the standards of reliability and durability demanded by the industry, making it a game changing product for specifiers and designers in various fields. As the exclusive distributors of Optimo, we look forward to seeing the impact it makes on the industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ACS Stainless Steel Fixings (ACS) has collaborated with Tenmat – a leading manufacturer of passive fire protection materials and components – to set a new standard for masonry support. In a bid to help developers, contractors, architects and specifiers create safer and more sustainable buildings, the pair have formed a joint venture to create a new iteration of Intex™ 4-in-1 Masonry Support system – the first combined masonry support system combining four critical components in one easy-to-fit design. Ahead of launch – and in a bid to give the industry confidence in the product – ACS invested £65,000 in advanced testing of Intex™ something that recently culminated in certification from Kiwa, a renowned global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification. The Kiwa mark solidifies the product’s credentials and will help developers secure warranties in the future as ACS managing director David Flannery explained: “Intex™ is a game-changing product for the sector; combining masonry support, cavity tray and wall ties, in one, with an added intumescent cavity fire barrier mechanically fixed to the cavity tray for exceptional fire protection. “It has been created to overcome challenges around cavity congestion, incompatible parts and incorrect installation. Intex™4-in-1 Masonry Support is over 40% faster to install than traditional methods such as masonry support, cavity tray, cavity fire barrier and wall ties which means significant labour cost savings – with projections of 29% cost savings on labour and 4% overall. The product is ergonomically designed, making it easy for installers to handle and fit, with the added bonus of reducing deliveries and storage space onsite by up to 32% as well as reducing congestion by up to 60%. This gives complete peace of mind that components are compatible and every one of them is doing its job.” The news comes a year after Intex™ was first launched to market and specified on several schemes, including residential projects in London. ACS has since invested £350,000 across R&D, now collaborating with Tenmat to evolve the product and share best practice. Each business has a longstanding track record, with ACS celebrating its 40th year in business and Tenmat bringing 100 years’ experience in working with advanced composite materials for safety critical applications. Mark Davies, Sales Director of Tenmat added: “Unlike many new product development projects, where there are often challenges and setbacks to overcome, the two teams came together and maintained open and honest communication to keep a focus on the end goal. “Intex™ 4-in-1 Masonry Support system represents an industry first of utilising compact, low profile intumescent materials to provide an integrated cavity barrier solution to a masonry support bracket and cavity tray. “We are delighted to partner with ACS to bring this product to market having both identified an acute need for something new and innovative. Intex™ 4-in-1 Masonry Support system and its Kiwa certification will help the industry and represents a market-first for utilising compact, low profile intumescent materials to provide a pioneering solution.” David concluded: “This partnership was born not just out of respect and shared expertise, but of a real desire to assimilate our collective experience to take the industry forward. “We each bring different skills, experience and strengths to the partnership which makes for a great synergy; our two teams are united by a shared focus on innovation and developing solutions that simplify complex industry challenges with advanced composite materials for safety critical applications.” Find out more about Intex™ 4-in-1 Masonry Support System here: https://acsstainless.co.uk/products/4-in-1-masonry-support-system/intex-4-in-1-masonry-support/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fire safety specialist and leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, have forged a new partnership with the Nottingham Skills Academy to offer work engagement for young people. To help invest in the futures of aspiring tradespeople and construction workers, Injecta Fire Barrier has partnered with the Nottingham Skills Academy to provide work experience and training opportunities for individuals kickstarting their career. Having supported over 8,200 learners in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire with fully-funded courses and training, the Skills Academy is expanding their service with help from Injecta Fire Barrier. “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with the Nottingham Skills Academy! We’re always looking for ways to support the next generation, and by helping provide work placements we hope to give young people of Nottingham the tools they need to succeed” says Shaun. Skills Academy is a training centre run by the Skills People Group that offers high-quality teaching and learning for construction, digital business administration and warehousing. Established in 2008, the Skills People Group is the country’s leading provider of construction-related qualifications and now has seven dedicated training centres, including the Nottingham Skills Academy. Their academies provide a first-class training environment to help young members of the local community to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours. “Gaining work experience can be a challenge for young people and we’re hopeful our partnership will give eager individuals a practical opportunity which helps boost their employability. As well as helping others, we also plan to utilise their courses to develop our own Injecta Fire Barrier team” adds Shaun. Currently, Skills Academy works with some of the UK’s biggest construction companies and offer a series of courses for bricklaying, joinery, painting, labouring, CSCS card, Skills Bootcamps in construction and much more. Now partnering with Injecta Fire Barrier, the Nottingham Skills Academy will be increasing their support materials with new opportunities for ambitious individuals to learn, develop and prosper in the fire safety industry. “We see that Skill Academy has the location, knowledge and attributes to make a change and we can’t wait to help contribute towards a brighter future for Nottingham residents!” concludes Shaun. Injecta Fire Barrier are the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system. With years of experience in passive fire protection, the company can help property managers and building owners seamlessly install cost-effective cavity fire barriers that protect their buildings and occupants. More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Industry leader AEI Cables is issuing a reminder to the electrical cables supply chain to keep safety at the front of mind when it comes to Category 3 Control fire performance cables. The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and enabling safe evacuation in the case of life safety. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “We’re advising those in the supply chain to check guidance on Category 3 Control fire performance cables and ensure safety is the priority. The latest guidance was issued in 2020 but is still entirely relevant for these important cables. “Indeed, these cables also help fire and rescue services to fight a fire and evacuate people in the event of an incident. By incorporating this guidance into the selection of cabling for these critical systems, those people using these striking new buildings can move about in the knowledge that they are safe.” The 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 that, in the event of a fire, will maintain their circuit integrity for life safety and firefighting. 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 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, e.g. sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by a fire engineering strategy. 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. The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also 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. 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. For more information see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Passive fire protection specialist Promat, as part of the Etex group, has signed up to the Science-Based Targets initiative to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. The pledge will see the company work towards cutting carbon emissions across its operations to support a net zero economy in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. To support this the group will develop a target-driven action plan setting out its aims to cut scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions. Promat has already set a target of reducing its scope 1 and 2 ‘direct’ emissions by 35 per cent by 2030. The SBTi is a global scheme set up to support companies worldwide to establish clear, evidenced targets to demonstrate a commitment to change to work towards a net-zero economy. The commitment will build on initiatives and targets set out in Promat’s ClearChange sustainability strategy, which focuses on six key pillars: Product design, decarbonisation, delivery and assembly, energy savings, durability and recycling. Within this the company outlines its commitment to cutting carbon emissions in its operations, lower embodied carbon in its products through the use of alternative energy, creating recyclable packaging, ensuring long product lifecycles, supporting sustainable building design, and reducing waste. Duncan Gardiner, Promat Platform Sustainability and Communications Manager, said: “Promat is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a more circular economy by running our operations and designing products with sustainability in mind. “While we recognise the challenges in prioritising safety and the journey to adapting to more sustainable solutions, Promat is committed to making changes to support sustainability wherever we can. “Thermal processes are integral to the creation of many of our products, so decarbonisation is a key target for Promat. Setting clear targets to make operational changes demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting a better future and making changes wherever we can. Promat is keen to build a future that is both safe and sustainable. “Signing up to the letter of commitment to the SBTi, marks a pivotal moment in our sustainability journey, furthering our efforts outlined in our Road to Sustainability 2030 strategy.” For more information on Promat’s ClearChange strategy, visit: https://www.promat.com/en/sustainability/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
