Warringtonfire, part of the Element Materials Technology group, has issued a critical reminder to industry professionals responsible for emergency exit and external panic units to check they have the achieved the correct level of third-party certification. The leading provider of testing, inspection, and certification services warns that many these doorsets, which are safety critical construction products, may not have the right level of third-party certification meaning they are non-compliant and as such, illegal. The warning follows recent scrutiny from industry bodies such as the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), who have been informed of the situation by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). This means that building owners, facilities managers, specifiers, architects, construction professionals, and other relevant stakeholders need to ensure the doorsets they are specifying, purchasing and installing have been third-party certified by an accredited laboratory. While it is the responsibility of manufacturers to confirm their products are correctly certified and have a Certificate of Constancy of Performance (CoCoP), industry professionals have a responsibility to select third-party certified products. Receiving a CoCoP allows the product to then obtain a conformity marking (CE or UKCA). Without this, doors cannot be legally sold on the market, posing significant financial and reputational risks to industry professionals who purchase them, as well as putting people at risk. “Simply having third-party certification for individual elements and hardware of the panic or emergency exit doors is insufficient,” warns Michael Skelding, DHF’s General Manager & Secretary. “It is the responsibility of professionals in this industry to make certain that manufacturers have certified the entire doorset to meet compliance standards. Without this, they risk repercussions from the OPSS such as building closures, along with severe reputational damage. “While the DHF and GAI have noted that many doorsets are non-compliant, we recognise that the majority are not deliberately breaking the law – it is more an issue of lack of awareness. It is now essential that the word is spread so that industry professionals can ensure they select products from manufacturers who have obtained third-party certification.” Mark West, Principal Product Assessor at Warringtonfire, states: “Ensuring the doorsets you purchase and install are fully certified is not only a legal obligation but also a commitment to safety and quality. Demanding to see evidence of certification means that you will be providing safe, compliant doorsets to your projects, protecting building users and your professional reputation.” For more information on third-party certification with Warringtonfire or to schedule an audit, please visit: https://www.warringtonfire.com/certification-services/fire-certification/ce-marking Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Growing fire safety industry organisation Fire Aware aims to change the culture of the built environment sector by introducing a moral code of conduct via a series of charters designed to influence how member companies behave in upholding their duty of care. The expanding industry body is leading the way by focusing on the moral responsibility of all those working in the fire safety supply chain including designers, developers, asset owners, managers and other stakeholders. Gavin Skelly, CEO of Fire Aware, said: “We understand the need for competence. But when dealing with an industry that the public relies on to keep them safe, there has to be more. There has to be a commitment to safety. As with a number of other sectors and professions, the fire sector has a wide array of duty holders, but they all share one common requirement, which is to understand they are there primarily to keep the public safe. “We are appealing to the fire safety industry and those with responsibility for making decisions to think about their moral duty from the outset of any project. We know from the feedback we receive from our members that the industry is keen to make this work. We believe in going above and beyond legislation and minimum standards and test regimes. Fire Aware embraces safety through a series of charters according to the type of business of its members. These include main contractors, property developers, building management, designers, local councils, specialist contractors and sub-contractors. It also recognises those outside of the fire sector, who, while holding a duty of care are not specifically part of the fire sector. Gavin Skelly added: “Any environment the public use will hold a duty of care for their fire safety. Fire Aware looks to recognise and identify those who do this with the interests of their end users as a priority. “Members of the Fire Aware community are taking a stand. They have told us they care and want to commit to best practice. Working together, members can contribute to the wider cause of safety in the interests of those people using inhabiting the buildings and spaces we create.” Fire Aware is a recognised membership body serving the built environment and related sectors with a common aim to work and trade responsibly to all best practice standards in the interests of the safety of the general public. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Millions of pounds in home insurance claims could be at risk each year due to faulty or missing smoke alarms, according to new research. A study by comparison site Go.Compare, drawing on data from the Home Office, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and StatsWales, revealed that in the year ending March 2024, there were an estimated 13,458 house fires attended by fire and rescue services where an alarm either failed to sound or was not installed. Using average claim payout figures, the research suggests that this could amount to around £16.7 million in potentially invalid insurance claims. The findings highlight how a lack of regular smoke alarm testing could not only put lives at risk but also leave households to cover the cost of fire damage themselves. Shockingly, 1% of UK residents – equivalent to more than half a million people – admitted to having no smoke detector in their home. Across Britain, 43% of dwelling fires occurred in properties where alarms either did not operate or were absent altogether. The consequences can be deadly: 52% of all fire-related fatalities in homes happened where a working smoke alarm was not present. Many people remain unaware of the insurance implications. The survey found that 62% of respondents did not realise that failing to check alarms regularly could make a claim void. In such cases, any damage caused by a fire would have to be paid for by the homeowner. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has urged residents to make smoke alarm testing part of their regular routine. “Setting a reminder and making it a household habit could help ensure alarms are checked regularly, especially for those with battery-powered devices,” the NFCC advised. “Home fire safety should be as routine as cleaning.” For those unsure how to test their alarm, the NFCC recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions or using their free Online Home Fire Safety Check, which provides guidance on alarm testing, placement, and replacement. Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Failing to install and maintain a working smoke alarm is a huge safety risk, but it can also have severe financial consequences. If your alarm wasn’t working when a fire occurred, your insurer is unlikely to pay out. Testing your alarm takes seconds but could save lives and money. Setting a weekly reminder is an easy way to avoid forgetting, and local fire services can often provide assistance if needed.” With such stark figures, the message is clear – regular smoke alarm checks are not just a legal and safety necessity, they could also be the key to protecting both lives and livelihoods. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A multinational manufacturer of cutting-edge aluminium fire safety systems for commercial buildings is confident its latest product will help it grow its UK presence following a return to its former Coventry base. Aluflam, founded in Denmark in 1943, manufactures and distributes fire rated aluminium systems which can be installed into newbuild & renovation type structures within commercial buildings, including high-rises, to prevent fires from spreading. The UK arm of the company has returned to the Business Innovation Centre in Binley – part of the University of Warwick Science Park – after a restructure meant it had to briefly vacate the site. Now, Aluflam UK is aiming to use its latest product, a 120-minute curtain wall system that prevents fire spread both inside and outside of buildings to help improve safety in new and existing towers all over the country in a post-Grenfell market. The substance in the product secretes a water like substance via a chemical reaction when it is exposed to high temperatures, and is injected at high pressure into a chamber within the back box of the façade system. Installations have already taken place in Islington, Camden and Birmingham. Martin Grove, Managing Director at Aluflam UK, is hopeful of working on many similar projects. He said: “Aluflam UK is in a fantastic position to help make the country’s high-rise towers and commercial buildings as safe as they can be following the much-needed changes to building regulations following the Grenfell disaster. “Our latest product is dual-directional, meaning it can resist fire regardless of the direction of fire attack, keeping occupants safe and adjacent buildings. This is crucial in meeting new testing standards for passive fire protection systems and building compartmentation within the UK. “This is absolutely vital in densely populated cities and towns where fires could spread between high-rises that are close together. “With the construction industry now needing to pay much greater attention to fire safety after Grenfell, we believe we can make a lasting difference to the safety of many of our countries’ high-rises and commercial sector buildings whether they are old or new developments.” Aluflam had previously ventured into the UK market after huge success in Europe, the US, and Australia under the leadership of founder Peter Birck, and had based itself at the Innovation Centre before a change in company structure meant it had to leave. When Aluflam was in a position to return to the UK market, Martin did not think twice about taking space at the Innovation Centre again. “I knew how good the Innovation Centre was after our previous time here, so when the restructure was finished, coming back was a no-brainer,” Martin added. “The welcoming environment, convenient location, and flexibility around expanding on-site means it will hopefully be our UK base for a long time to come. “With the huge backlog of work needed across the construction sector and the high quality of our products, we are confident that we can soon bring in more staff and potentially grow within the Innovation Centre over the coming years.” Emma Turner, Centre Manager at the Business Innovation Centre, added: “We are proud that Martin and Aluflam chose to return, and it is testament to the excellent credentials of the Innovation Centre and the hard work of all our staff that he chose to do so. “Many of our tenants really benefit from the flexibility offered within the leases that allow them to expand, and we are confident that we will help and support Aluflam’s growth as it continues to improve fire safety throughout buildings across the country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals