Moving Past ‘Fit and Forget’ – How Building Owners, Developers & Facilities Managers Can Take Control of the Fire Safety Lifecycle
By Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘fit and forget’ – especially when it comes to a whole host of installed safety equipment. Ensuring you’re keeping on top of all of your installed safety systems is essential, especially when it comes to fire safety. The notion that fire safety is a one-time box-ticking exercise from years gone by couldn’t be further from reality. Those in a position of authority must undertake a continuous journey to keep up with the fire safety lifecycle. Brad Crisp, Commercial & Specification Manager at Sertus takes a closer look at the importance of keeping on top of the fire safety lifecycle, with actionable tips on taking control for build owners and facilities managers. Why Fire Safety Requires Ongoing Attention The attitude of ‘fit and forget’ has long been an issue within the industry, which is a huge issue when it comes to fire safety. When investing in high-quality systems, in theory, they should stand the test of time and not require any real intervention – but it’s essential that building managers, developers and facilities managers keep on top of maintaining and upgrading fire safety systems. Even the most robust fire safety systems require regular testing and maintenance, and there’s good reason for this: System Deterioration – Over time, any system will begin to run into issues, especially if not maintained by a competent professional regularly. Changing Regulations – While regulations aren’t changing regularly, it’s important to keep on top of any regulations that do change and how this impacts your existing safety set-up. For example, the impact the 2024 update to BS991 had on smoke control. Human Error & Oversights – While a safety system might appear to be in good working order after being installed, there’s always a chance that something may have been missed in the initial installation that hasn’t been picked up. Changes in Facilities Use – If, for any reason, there’s a change to your premises’ primary function, there could be implications for how safety systems are used and what regulations now apply. There are a whole host of reasons that fire safety requires ongoing attention, with one of the most important being in compliance with section 3 of the ONS’ Fire Prevention and Protection statistics, which relates to fire protection and formal & informal notices. If your building fails a fire audit, the repercussions can be severe, with several informal and formal notification categories depending on the severity of non-compliance. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 8,666 breaches of compliance relating to fire-safety equipment maintenance (Article 17), which highlights the issues currently facing the industry when it comes to keeping up with fire safety obligations. The Fire-Safety Lifecycle Approach Fully understanding and implementing the fire safety lifecycle approach is complex, but extremely worthwhile for those who work in (M&E) and facilities management. Neglect at any stage can impose risk, leading to fines, legal liability or in the worst case, the loss of life. This is why proactive management is essential in fire safety. Here’s an in-depth look at the 5 stages involved in the fire safety lifecycle: An essential stage, this ensures that the fire safety system is appropriate for the building’s specific use, occupancy and risk profile. This stage is especially critical when undertaking a refurbishment of an existing building, or if there’s a change of use for the property. The following should be put in place during this stage: Fire Strategy – Hire a fire and safety consultant to define what is required from the system you are implementing. System Selection & Specification – Ensure the correct type of system is selected and establish requirements based on building codes and standards. For example, addressable vs conventional fire alarms, or wet pipe vs dry pipe sprinklers and smoke ventilation requirements, such as roof AOVs or smoke control dampers . Documentation – Begin developing design specifications and the Golden Thread of information, ensuring you have accurate and up-to-date records of your building’s fire safety. The Golden Thread & Why It’s Important The Golden Thread is an integral part of building managers, developers and facilities managers roles, with a digital, secure and tamper-proof record of information on the buildings design, construction and management throughout its entire lifecycle. Following the Grenfell Enquiry, and subsequent Building Safety Act 2022 being instated, the Golden Thread played a key role in providing a digital alternative to the historic paper file system ensures that all of the building safety information is accurate, accessible and used to mitigate safety risks. During this stage, it’s essential to consider the longevity of the solution you’re looking to install. For example, at Sertus, we pride ourselves on all of our smoke ventilation products standing the test of time, thanks to meticulous design, in-house manufacturing and unrivalled technical support after install. Now that the planning and design are in place, it’s time to put the physical aspects of your fire safety equipment into place with a trusted supplier and installer. Here’s an overview of the steps you should take: Appoint Contractors – Take time to pick a trusted partner to carry out the installation and ensure that all installers onsite are certified and competent. It’s essential to pick a contractor that you’re confident in, so take the time to get this stage right and ask for recommendations. For example, if you are having smoke ventilation installed, it’s important to ensure your contractor of choice has the relevant qualifications such as the SDI19 certification or SKEB (Skills Knowledge, Experience, Behaviours). Quality Assurance – It’s essential that you carry out regular site inspections to personally verify that the installation follows the approved design and fire strategy. You’ll be held responsible for any problems, so take the time to properly check all aspects of the installation. Commissioning – An essential part of the process, commissioning refers to testing the
NHS SBS scoops ‘Procurement Team of the Year’ award and ‘Highly Commended’ for complex capital projects
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), is proud to announce its Procurement Solutions Team has been named the winner of this year’s Health Care Supply Association’s (HCSA) ‘Procurement Team of the Year’ award. The HCSA annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams driving improvement, efficiency and value across the NHS, particularly in healthcare procurement and the supply chain in the UK. The award was presented to NHS SBS in recognition of its dedication, teamwork and commitment to delivering Framework Agreements (FWAs) that ensure the NHS and wider public sector receive only the best products and services. NHS SBS’s 82-strong Procurement Solutions team manages a portfolio of over 40 FWAs with a combined multi-billion-pound value, and is responsible for commissioning, procurement and ongoing management, to ensure customers benefit from high-quality, cost-effective solutions. Developed by the organisation’s category experts and used by NHS trusts and wider public sector across the UK, the FWAs span four key categories – Construction & Estates, Health, Digital & IT and Business Services. The portfolio comprising award-winning FWAs is continually enhanced with innovative solutions including surgical robots, estate decarbonisation, offsite construction and AI stroke‑decision software, and strengthened through close collaboration with external partners to deliver maximum impact. A unique collaboration with Barts Health NHS Trust for instance, resulted in the creation of NHS SBS’s Sustainable Healthcare Recycling and Waste Management FWA which delivered £1.2m in savings for the trust, increased recycling rates from 11% to 30% in just 10 weeks, increased carbon reduction by over 500 tonnes and had an annual social value impact of £3.1m. “The judging panel recognised the Procurement team for its strategic focus, service excellence, delivery of financial benefits, adoption and sharing of best practice, collaboration with other organisations and commitment to the development of our team members,” says Paddy Howlin, Head of Procurement Solutions at NHS SBS. “These are all key factors in what makes NHS SBS standout in a competitive and ever challenging landscape.” Capital Projects ‘Highly Commended’ NHS SBS Capital Projects Manager, Chris Parkin, was named runner‑up and ‘highly commended’ in HCSA’s prestigious ‘Unsung Hero’ award. This honour celebrates individuals who consistently make substantive contributions, often going above and beyond their role. The commendation recognised his dedication as the quiet, yet brilliant driving force behind some of the NHS’s most complex hospital capital projects, like equipping the new £68m Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital which has five emergency theatres, including the UK’s first hybrid trauma theatre. Originally estimated at £13m, Chris used his expertise to reduce this to £10.2m, delivering end-to-end service from business case to handover, sourcing and installing over 3,800 items – from patient furniture to highly specialised theatre equipment. All delivered and installed on time, to budget and fit. Howlin concludes: “We are immensely proud of our procurement team and its achievements. Being recipients of both the team award and attaining the ‘highly commended’ status underscores the dedication and meaningful difference each member makes every day. “We remain committed to supporting the NHS and wider public sector with solutions that drive efficiency, deliver value, and improve patient outcomes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ACO Building Drainage Helps Construction Professionals Tackle Climate Change with Launch of ‘Blue Roof Guide – Volume 2’
With climate extremes increasing and urban drainage networks under growing stress, ACO Building Drainage has published the second volume of its Blue Roof Guide to help architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors design resilient, multi-functional roofscapes. The new guide explains how blue and blue-green roof systems can store and manage rainfall on site, reduce peak flows to overstretched sewers and support passive irrigation and biodiversity on roof areas. The guide, titled ‘ACO Blue Roof Guide – Vol 2’, follows the success of ACO’s first volume of its Blue Roof Guide, launched in October 2024, and builds on the criteria established for safe and sustainable drainage. Sustainability is a core principle of ACO’s work and this has been recognised in the company’s appointment as United Nations ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The second volume of the Blue Roof Guide is evidence of ACO’s commitment to clean water, sustainability, and supporting the construction industry in creating an eco-friendly future. Volume 2 sets out the principles of off-membrane storage and offers practical design and delivery advice for architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors. It highlights blue roofs as an increasingly important tool in urban developments by storing water temporarily and releasing it slowly to lessen flood risk while enabling green and biosolar roof functions to coexist without compromising waterproofing. Technical sections go into detail about ACO’s patented RoofBloxx system: a shallow, high-strength geocellular attenuation layer designed to sit independently of the roof membrane. Implementation and installation are also discussed, including together with the proper use of flow restrictors, access and diffuser units, capillary wicks and reservoir trays. When combined, these components manage run-off rates, support passive irrigation for sedum and planted systems, and reduce the need for heavy ballast by stabilising insulation. Neill Robinson-Welsh, who has led more than 750 blue roof projects during his 14 years with ACO, said: “Blue roofs are no longer an optional extra but a practical response to the twin pressures of heavier rainfall and growing water stress. Our approach uses ACO RoofBloxx to store water off the waterproofing layer, simplifying integration with green and biosolar elements and reducing the risk of membrane failure. The new guide reflects what we’ve learned on real projects and sets out design and maintenance steps that make blue roofs reliable.” Practical chapters focus on early-stage coordination, addressing outlet positioning, roof slope and structural implications, as well as maintenance-friendly design through permanent access chambers and twice-yearly inspections, and emphasising the importance of accurate hydraulic calculations to meet planning limits while preserving architectural constraints. ACO stresses that designers need to treat blue roofs as system integration exercises, and by coordinating landscape, photovoltaics and other services early it will help to avoid late, costly revisions. Volume 2 is positioned as a hands-on resource for teams planning multifunctional roofs where water management, ecology and service access must all be reconciled. To download the guide, see ACO.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
What Online Casinos Can Borrow from Physical Casino Design
Online casinos have convenience down. Click, play, cash out. But something is still missing. Step into a well-designed land-based casino and you feel the difference right away. The atmosphere and the flow work together because every detail has been planned with purpose. Physical casinos have spent decades learning how to keep people engaged and comfortable. That experience has plenty to teach the digital side of the industry. When online platforms study these design cues, they can create spaces that feel just as thoughtful and inviting, even without the lights and movement of a real casino. Layout That Doesn’t Confuse Land-based casinos use clear sightlines and logical zones. You know where the tables are, where the slots sit, where the bars hang out. Everything flows. Online casinos, though, sometimes bury their best games three clicks deep or scatter navigation haphazardly. Taking inspiration from physical layouts means creating digital spaces where players understand the geography instantly. Intuitive navigation isn’t flashy, but it works. Offshore poker platforms demonstrate this well. UK poker sites not on GamStop, for example, have become popular alternatives for those seeking greater flexibility and control over their gaming experiences. The smartest operators achieve that by designing interfaces that mirror the logical flow of physical poker rooms. According to the poker experts at CardPlayer, successful non-GamStop sites cater to wide audiences through variety in poker formats, from quick games to high-stakes tournaments with valuable prize pools, ensuring intuitive pathways to whatever game style a player prefers. That same principle of clear, effortless movement helps any digital experience feel more natural to navigate. Atmosphere Beyond Pixels Casino floors use lighting, sound, and even scent to set the mood. Online casinos rely on graphics and music, and there’s room to bring those elements together more naturally. A digital lobby could shift its colors based on the time of day, while background audio adjusts to the game being browsed. UX touches like soft motion cues, smooth menu transitions, quick-glance activity badges, and gentle highlights on popular games add energy without overwhelming the screen. Small touches build immersion. Land-based venues show how atmosphere elevates the experience, and digital platforms can bring that same intention into their own spaces by treating screens as functional spaces where every element has a purpose. Generous Spaces That Breathe Physical casinos give players room to move, to sit comfortably, and to navigate without feeling crowded. Online interfaces can echo that experience by spacing out menus and reducing visual noise. They can also group options in ways that feel open and easy to follow. You see this same idea in the physical world. Land-based venues know when to let the space breathe, and retail store design builds on that with open layouts and thoughtful product placement that guide people naturally through the room. Online casinos can borrow these cues to shape screens that feel open and welcoming, helping players find what they need without effort. Social Cues Without the Crowd Casinos thrive on social energy. Even solo players pick up on the buzz around them. Online platforms naturally have a different vibe, and some already make solid progress in bridging that gap. Live dealer games help, and with a few more social indicators like active player counts, recent big wins, and real-time leaderboards, digital casino lobbies can feel a bit livelier and more connected, without leaning on chat features that not everyone wants to use. The Path Forward Digital casinos already have what they need to match the feel of a real casino floor. The challenge is taking what works in physical spaces and shaping it for online play. The best platforms focus on simple choices that make the experience feel welcoming. Whether someone enters a casino or opens a lobby on their phone, they want a place that treats their time with care. Physical venues offer plenty of clues on how to guide people smoothly, and those ideas help online operators build experiences that players enjoy coming back to.
Public Invited to Shape Ambitious Mix Manchester Airport Campus
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders are being asked to share their views on the first phase of Mix Manchester, the UK’s pioneering airport-based science, innovation and manufacturing campus. A six-week public consultation opens today, Monday 8 December 2025, marking the latest step towards creating a major new employment hub next to Manchester Airport. The plans are being developed by a joint venture between Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG), Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Manchester City Council (MCC) and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). A final planning application is expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council in early 2026. Phase one proposes 6,750 square metres of mid-tech space across three buildings, offering a total of 11 workspaces alongside a dedicated amenity area. The early stage of the project will also include a multi-storey car park with commercial space at ground level. The application will take the form of a hybrid submission, seeking full planning permission for the initial mid-tech units and the multi-storey car park, while also securing outline consent for later phases. These future phases could deliver more than 100,000 square metres of flexible hybrid commercial space designed for medium and large-scale manufacturing. Emily Fleet, development manager for Mix Manchester, emphasised the importance of community involvement in shaping the project. She said:“As planning for Mix Manchester progresses, it’s vital that residents, local businesses and key stakeholders help inform our vision. This is a hugely significant development for Greater Manchester, backed by a strong joint venture, supported by the Council and aided by central government funding. We urge people to share their perspectives and help bring this project forward.” Details of the proposals and information on how to take part in the consultation can be found at www.mix-manchester.com/consultation Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Parkhead Hub Officially Opens as Scotland’s Largest Integrated Health and Social Care Facility
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), in partnership with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Glasgow City Council, and Glasgow Life, is proud to announce the official opening of the Parkhead Hub, a landmark £67 million health, social care, and community facility in the heart of Glasgow’s East End. The Hub was formally opened today (8th December 2025) by First Minister John Swinney, who unveiled a commemorative plaque and joined local stakeholders, staff, and community representatives to celebrate the occasion. The event also honoured the late John Ferguson, a much-respected community campaigner, by naming the main conference room in his memory. Parkhead Hub brings together a wide range of services previously spread across nine different sites, creating a single, modern building that acts as a central point of care, support, and community activity. The facility co-locates GP practices, community pharmacy, dental services, children’s services, adult and older people’s social care, mental health teams, addictions support, homelessness and justice services, sexual health, and health-improvement teams. Community amenities include a relocated library, café, flexible meeting rooms, training spaces, and areas for third-sector groups. Since opening to the public in January 2025, Parkhead Hub has been widely recognised for its innovation, design quality, and community impact. It is Scotland’s largest primary care facility and the first net-zero-in-operation building for the NHS Board, setting a new benchmark for sustainability and community benefit. The project delivered over £19.5 million in social value locally, including apprenticeships, support for SMEs, and community projects. The Hub has received multiple national honours, including Public Sector Project of the Year (UK) at the RICS Awards 2025, Project of the Year – New Build (UK) at the Design in Mental Health Awards 2025, Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards for Best Healthcare Project, Best Sustainability Project, and Supreme Award, and Building Better Healthcare Awards: Gold Award for Patient’s Choice and Silver Awards for Best External Environment/Landscaping and Best Healthcare Development (£25–£75m). John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, said: “Our plan to improve our NHS is working – long waits of over 52 weeks have fallen for five consecutive months, the number of operations performed are at their highest since January 2020 and GP numbers continue to rise. “We know there is more to do to ensure people get the help they need when they need it. That’s we are focused on shifting how care is delivered, moving from acute settings in hospitals to community settings like the Parkhead Hub. “The Hub, supported by £67 million Scottish Government funding, is an excellent example of how we are delivering health and social care services in a more convenient way- with general practice, community pharmacy, mental health services and homelessness support in one place. “This kind of whole family support – bringing together all the services people need under one roof – will be key in ensuring that people get the care and support they need from the NHS in their local community.” Dr Lesley Thomson KC, Chair of NHSGGC, said: “Parkhead Hub marks a step-change in how we deliver health and social care, bringing services together to better support communities and reflecting our Transforming Together vision of care closer to home. “This achievement is the result of incredible collaboration across public, third-sector and community partners. Scotland’s largest primary care facility and our first net-zero building, Parkhead Hub sets a new benchmark for integrated care.” Councillor Chris Cunningham, Glasgow City Council’s Convener for Health, Care and Caring, and Older People, said: “The new Parkhead Hub is, without doubt, an outstanding facility for the north-east of the city. “It’s our ambition that everyone in Glasgow has the opportunity to lead healthier and more fulfilled lives and with the vast range of facilities and services now under one roof, we can help achieve that. “As Scotland’s largest health and social care centre, the Parkhead Hub is a fine example of co-locating services and partnership working. It’s a one-stop shop for residents to access services from a range of organisations including the city council, Glasgow Life, NHS and the health and social care partnership.” Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said: “The opening of the Parkhead Hub has provided the local area with a new and more accessible library, which is proving popular with the whole community. Our Parkhead Library team has been thrilled to welcome so many new and familiar faces into its modern surroundings over the past year. We look forward to welcoming and supporting even more people at Parkhead Library in the years to come.” For more information about the Parkhead Hub and its services, visit: Parkhead Hub | Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals