NFCC outlines safety considerations for new high-rise residential buildings

by Associations and OrganisationsConstructionFeatured News

New safety measures proposed for high-rise residential buildings

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has issued an opinion paper, highlighting crucial considerations for fire and rescue services in the design of new high-rise residential buildings.

This move follows the Government’s announcement in July 2023, mandating that all new residential buildings over 18 metres must include at least two staircases to ensure safer evacuation routes and firefighting operations.

Staircase independence and safe egress a priority

The NFCC’s paper stresses the importance of designing stairways that are independent of each other, ensuring that a single fire does not jeopardise multiple escape routes.

It emphasises the necessity of providing safe egress for all occupants, including those who may find it challenging to use stairs.

The Council also calls for designs to incorporate sufficient resilience and redundancy, particularly in access facilities for firefighters.

Gavin Tomlinson, Chair of the NFCC’s Protection Committee, reflected on the objectives of these recommendations: “We want to be sure these buildings are safe places to live and NFCC is committed to supporting fire and rescue services as they take on these new checks.

“We are expecting Government to issue new guidance shortly, but we have a clear view of what we think are the key priorities for fire and rescue colleagues when reviewing the design of new high-rise buildings.

“What we’re proposing is common sense, such as making sure that stairways are independent from one another so that a fire does not impact on multiple exit routes, making sure there are safe routes of escape for people with additional needs, and ensuring firefighters have the appropriate access and facilities.

“This is what we are advocating for in our discussions with partners in government.”

Transition period and consultation with fire services

The Government’s proposals will be formally integrated into statutory guidance following a 30-month transition period.

During this time, developers will have the option to adhere to either the new or existing guidelines.

The NFCC’s publication aims to offer clarity and uniformity in firefighting considerations for the design of escape routes in these buildings.

It also acknowledges that fire and rescue services are increasingly being consulted by building designers on how to implement multiple escape pathways effectively.

Download the NFCC Opinion Paper here.

IFSJ Comment

The National Fire Chiefs Council’s initiative to outline key safety considerations for the design of new high-rise residential buildings marks a proactive approach to enhancing fire safety standards.

By advocating for independent stairways, inclusive escape routes, and adequate facilities for firefighters, the NFCC underscores the importance of a comprehensive safety strategy that protects all building occupants.

This initiative, aligned with forthcoming government guidance, represents a significant step towards preventing tragedies similar to past incidents.

As the construction industry adapts to these new requirements, the emphasis on collaboration between fire services, government, and developers is essential for creating safer living environments in high-rise buildings across the country.

Chair of Levelling Up Committee seeks government action on fire safety product testing

by ConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

Committee seeks government response on construction products testing

Clive Betts, chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, has formally requested a comprehensive response from Lee Rowley, Minister for Local Government and Building Safety, regarding the Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime.

This request underscores the urgency for governmental action in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, highlighting ongoing concerns over fire safety and construction product reliability.

The review, initiated as a direct response to the Grenfell Tower fire, aims to address critical issues surrounding product safety in the construction sector.

Government’s delayed response to crucial review

Despite the publication of the review’s report on 20 April 2023, the government has yet to issue its response, prompting the committee’s intervention.

This delay has raised questions about the effectiveness of the current approach to ensuring the safety of construction products and materials.

The committee’s recent sessions with Minister Lee Rowley and the review’s co-authors, Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC, have further emphasised the need for a swift governmental reply to address the recommendations made in the report.

Urgent call for action and clarification

Betts expressed concern over the delay, stating: “Later this year, we will mark seven years since the tragedy of Grenfell.

“Fire safety and the efforts to make buildings safer for people to live in are crucially important.

“The government established this review to look at issues of product safety and, almost 10 months on from publication, the government is still to respond.”

He urged the government to provide a detailed, recommendation-by-recommendation response to facilitate dialogue with the industry and ensure the effective minimisation of fire risk from construction materials and products.

Additional inquiries from the committee

The committee’s correspondence also seeks clarity on the application of harmonised EU regulations on fire doors in the UK.

Additionally, Betts pressed the government to fulfil its commitment to publish a comprehensive research report on over 3,000 construction product standards related to testing, a promise made by Minister Rowley in his oral evidence on 17 January.

IFSJ comment

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s request for a detailed government response to the Independent Review of the Construction Products Testing Regime is a pivotal step towards enhancing fire safety in buildings.

By advocating for a transparent and actionable response, the committee aims to initiate necessary reforms that will strengthen the regulation of construction products.

This action underscores the importance of accountability and rigorous safety standards in the wake of tragedies like Grenfell Tower, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance and improvement in fire safety protocols.

Miller Knight welcomes Matthew Flower as new Managing Director

by ConstructionFeatured NewsPeople

Miller Knight, a renowned multi-discipline principal contractor, has announced the promotion of Matthew Flower to the position of Managing Director.

Flower, who joined Miller Knight in 2019 as Regeneration Director, brings over three decades of experience in the construction industry to his new role.

On his appointment, Flower remarked: “I feel hugely fortunate to have this opportunity, it is an honour and privilege to be appointed to lead our strong teams in delivering schemes for our clients.

“I am looking forward to building on what we have already achieved and improving what we do in line with our core values of being professional, passionate, meticulous, responsive, and personal.”

Comment from Miller Knight Chief Executive David Dickson

This organisational change sees the former Managing Director, David Dickson, moving into the Chief Executive role.

In this capacity, Dickson will focus on Miller Knight’s key opportunities and overall strategy.

Regarding the leadership transition, Dickson commented: “With a strong pipeline of work secured for 2024, I truly believe now is the right time for me to step aside and pass the reigns over to Matthew… He has been absolutely fundamental to how we have been delivering our projects and building our fantastic teams.

“I’d like to wish Matthew a huge congratulations on this well-deserved promotion, and to say that we are all excited to see where he will take our business on the next stage of its incredible journey.”

Miller Knight: A decade of excellence in construction

Miller Knight have established themselves as a principal contractor capable of handling complex and sensitive regeneration and refurbishment projects across the nation.

With specialist divisions dedicated to Remedial Passive and Structural Fire Protection, the company boasts a decade of trading experience and offices in Nottingham and London.

IFSJ Comment

The appointment of Matthew Flower as Managing Director of Miller Knight marks a significant transition in the company’s leadership.

Flower’s extensive experience in the construction industry and his commitment to core values align well with Miller Knight’s ethos of professionalism and meticulous work.

David Dickson’s move to the Chief Executive role is set to propel the company into a new phase, focusing on strategic growth and capitalising on the upcoming opportunities.

This leadership change is a testament to Miller Knight’s dynamic approach to adapting and thriving in the ever-evolving construction sector.

The company’s commitment to maintaining high standards in its projects, coupled with its focus on building long-term client relationships, positions it favourably for future successes.

As Miller Knight continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the construction industry, its strategic leadership decisions and core values will be crucial in shaping its trajectory.

Charting a new course in fire safety with Avene Furness

by Breaking NewsConstructionPassive

Innovation and Integrity in Fire Safety with Avene Furness, Founder and Managing Director of Chute Fire Certification UK

Avene Furness, Managing Director of Chute Fire Certification UK, has a rich background in sales spanning various sectors, including FMCG and advertising.

Her journey into the fire safety industry was not a straightforward one.

Furness recalls her shift from a demanding role as a UK Sales Manager to a more balanced position, coinciding with personal life changes.

“I was UK Sales Manager running a team of 12 and the hours were crazy – so the timing was just right for a change,” Furness recalls.

This led her to a sales consultant role in a company focused on residential laundry chutes, with the aim to expand into commercial sectors.

Despite her initial lack of fire safety knowledge, Furness made significant strides, securing the Gansevoort Hotel as her first commercial business.

“I didn’t know a thing about fire safety but I landed the first ever piece of commercial business,” she says, demonstrating her sales prowess.

The Grenfell Tower tragedy further shaped her perspective, revealing to her the opportunistic tendencies within the industry.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, it was like they were capitalising on people’s fear and grief,” she tells.

This prompted her to advocate for a more ethical approach in the sector.

Furness’s commitment to changing industry norms led to the founding of Chute Fire Certification UK.

“Seeing the way the competitors operated, from the insane mark ups to the customer service aspect, I just felt there was a way to take a socially responsible approach,” she explains.

She pursued fire safety education rigorously, becoming a registered Fire Technician, and aimed to establish a company that excelled in customer service and transparency.

“I wanted a company that gave great customer service and the price was a set price,” Furness states, marking a departure from common industry practices.

Her vision for Chute Fire Certification UK was deeply influenced by the market’s demand for integrity and fairness.

Furness says: “My passion was to try and set up a company that was very transparent, trustworthy and offer value for money.”

Navigating early challenges

In the initial stages of Chute Fire Certification UK, Furness encountered a series of challenges that tested her transition from industry expert to business leader.

“The biggest obstacle I had was that I was probably quite naïve,” she reflects, acknowledging the learning curve involved in her new role.

A key issue she identified was the industry’s inadequate training and qualifications for chute servicing personnel.

“At the time nobody was sending people out to do chutes that were qualified, they weren’t engineers, they were labourers,” Furness notes, pinpointing a significant market gap.

The turning point for Furness came with direct engagement in subcontracting, leading to the expansion of services and the start of in-house product development.

“That’s when we started the journey of product development and fabricating our own products,” she states, highlighting her strategic pivot.

Since its inception, Chute Fire Certification UK has made significant strides, carving out a niche in the fire safety industry with innovative products and a strong customer retention rate.

Furness, the driving force behind these achievements, shares key milestones that have defined the company’s journey.

One of the company’s most notable successes is the development and launch of its own product lines.

“We have five ranges of refuse hopper doors,” Furness proudly states, highlighting the company’s move towards self-sufficiency in manufacturing.

Moreover, the chute safe protection system, a uniquely designed and registered product in the UK, stands out as a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and safety.

“We’ve also had that product third party assessed by the International Fire Consultants as a premium product,” she adds, underscoring the recognition it has received.

The importance of Certified Fire Technicians

Furness emphasises the critical importance of fire safety in managing commercial refuse and laundry chutes.

She outlines two key aspects: legislative compliance and practical safety measures.

“Whoever the responsible person is for a building or a housing association, from a legitimacy point of view they need to ensure that they are compliant as it’s their head if something goes wrong,” Furness explains, highlighting the legal responsibility.

From a safety perspective, the absence of properly protected and maintained chutes can lead to catastrophic consequences.

“If these chutes aren’t properly protected by a product that has been tested to the appropriate standard, BS476: Part 22: 1987 and they aren’t maintained properly then they won’t work as intended,” she warns, stressing the potential risks of an uncontrolled fire spreading through a building due to inadequate chute systems.

She strongly believes in the necessity of having knowledgeable and certified fire technicians and qualified engineers: “They need to have that background knowledge and understanding of the fire regulations.”

This belief is rooted in her own extensive experience and firsthand involvement in product development.

Regarding staff training, Furness details a comprehensive approach, combining construction site safety with continuous professional development (CPD).

The engineers’ training is aligned with the latest developments in regulations and fire safety practices.

“We actively promote CPD and as members of the FPA (Fire Protection Agency), we have access to the latest educational developments,” she notes, emphasising the ongoing learning process.

Additionally, the engineers undergo various safety-related trainings, such as SSSTS, asbestos awareness, and first aid, reflecting the company’s commitment to overall safety and compliance.

Furness’s IOSH certification and her role in coordinating training demonstrate her hands-on involvement in ensuring her team’s proficiency and adherence to safety standards.

Breaking barriers and looking ahead

Furness has carved a distinct path in the predominantly male fire safety industry.

Her approach transcends gender perceptions, focusing instead on expertise and hands-on involvement.

“I don’t think I’m looked at as a woman, or rather it’s never played a part in terms of how I’ve approached the work,” she states, underlining that her success is rooted in her depth of knowledge and willingness to be actively involved in all aspects of her business.

She emphasises the importance of being well-informed and capable of independently handling client queries and challenges on site.

“My clients see me on site, they see me getting dirty as part of the job,” she says, showcasing her commitment to leading by example.

Looking forward, Chute Fire Certification UK is poised for further growth and expansion.

Furness outlines the company’s plan to venture beyond their current specialisation in refurbishing chutes to tackling more new installation projects.

“We’re now at a place where we need to kick on to the next level,” Furness reveals, indicating a strategic shift towards more complex and challenging projects.

This evolution reflects the company’s continuous pursuit of excellence and growth in the fire safety sector.

Furness offers valuable advice for new entrepreneurs in fire safety or other specialised sectors.

Her guidance stresses the importance of thorough industry knowledge, a deep understanding of regulations, and active field experience.

“You have to know the regulations, barriers to entry, you need to be out in the field, living and breathing it,” she advises.

She also emphasises the significance of continuous learning, networking, and maintaining focus on one’s vision without getting sidetracked by competitors.

“Stick to your plan, why you wanted to set up the business in the first place and what you felt you could offer,” she counsels, underscoring the need for integrity and hard work in building a successful enterprise.

If you’d like to explore how Chute Fire Certification UK can help enhance yours or your clients’ projects and ensure legal compliance you can get in touch at enquiries@chutefire.co.uk.

This article was originally published in the February 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Competence steering group releases third report to enhance built environment safety

by Building ManagementConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

New report calls for adoption of competence-led practices in the built environment

A new report from the Competence Steering Group (CSG) is urging the industry to embrace new competence practices and measures to ensure a safer built environment.

Titled ‘A Higher Bar – Achieving a Competence-led Built Environment’, the report outlines significant advancements across the built environment and fire sectors in improving skills, knowledge, and behaviour.

This initiative follows the Grenfell Tower tragedy, with the aim to drive culture change and enhance building safety.

The CSG, formed five years ago by the Industry Response Group and led by Construction Industry Council (CIC) Chief Executive Graham Watts OBE, has been pivotal in this development.

Watts emphasised the progress: “We have laid the foundations of a new infrastructure for skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.

“Coupled with strong legislation and enforcement, these new standards, frameworks and assessments, developed by industry for industry, should help move us to a higher level.”

Milestones and future plans of the competence steering group

The CSG’s third report not only reflects on past achievements but also outlines the next steps for implementing new competence requirements across the built environment workforce.

Key milestones include the development of a national suite of competence standards through BSI Flex 8670, PAS standards for regulated roles, and the establishment of the Building Safety Alliance.

Further steps include approval for new PAS Standards and the BSAS 01:2023 Organisation Capability Management System Standard.

Watts added: “There is still a long way to go. As we move into the implementation phase, it is incumbent on those working in all professions and trades in life-critical disciplines to attain these higher levels of competence.

!Only then can we rebuild the trust of those who occupy and live in the buildings we design, construct and manage.”

Leadership changes and future directions

The CSG is set to evolve into an independent sub-group of the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Committee, to be renamed as The Industry Competence Steering Committee (ICSG).

Hanna Clarke, Digital and Policy Manager at the Construction Products Association, will take over from Graham Watts as Chair, with Gill Hancock of the Association for Project Management as Deputy Chair.

Incoming Chair Clarke commented: “CSG broke ground in bringing so many siloed sectors together in unprecedented collaboration.

“ICSG’s task will be to build on this, increasing our engagement and visibility.”

She also noted the importance of the new relationship with the Industry Competence Committee and the Building Safety Regulator, aiming to establish a culture where every member of the supply chain demonstrates competence in working safely.

Jon Vanstone, Chair of the Industry Competence Committee, praised the report: “’A Higher Bar’ is a pivotal step in advancing building safety standards.

“It sets a new benchmark in competence for the construction industry, aligning with the critical directives of the Hackitt Review and the Building Safety Act.”

IFSJ Comment

The release of the third report by the Competence Steering Group marks a crucial juncture in the journey towards a safer built environment.

It represents a collective effort to enhance safety through a competence-led approach, a response to the urgent need for improved standards following the Grenfell Tower incident.

The initiatives and frameworks set forth by the CSG and the impending role of the ICSG under the Building Safety Regulator are indicative of a systemic shift towards higher safety standards in the construction industry.

As the industry moves forward, the emphasis on competence, collaboration, and continuous improvement will be essential in shaping a more responsible and safety-conscious built environment.

Regulating Modern Methods of Construction

by Breaking NewsConstruction

Rob Norton, UK Director at PlanRadar, looks at offsetting risks in offsite construction with digital technology

Offsite manufacturing accounts for 7% of the UK construction market, providing a means to build good quality homes faster and more sustainably.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), like modular building, are incredibly valuable on paper.

With robust protocols and standards to ensure quality is maintained, this value can be realised in the field, and the initial higher setup costs can yield substantial rewards.

However, MMC comes with its own challenges. The industry is working to overcome a lack of historic performance data and better understand how new safety legislation will affect its implementation.

How can MMC be used effectively to ensure homes of the future are fire safe?

Developers are now being supported by new standards and digital quality assurance technology can help to make these more attainable by professionals across the entire supply chain.

Through robust record management, digital platforms can provide assurances that safety is kept front of mind and investments are protected. Let’s look at how.

Regulating Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

The construction industry is laser-focused on occupational building safety and has laid down the law with new regulations to ensure quality standards are met.

Developers must now generate comprehensive information about how designs align with regulations like the Building Safety Act (BSA) and maintain a digital record of how they follow through on site.

This includes details of the materials and products that go into builds and certification for the approval process.

While this currently only applies to high-risk buildings and those over 18m in height, with secondary legislation due in October, it is likely that all buildings will eventually come under this scrutiny.

Flowing with the tide

Offsite manufacturing is not immune to these changing tides, yet with the right quality assurance processes in place, it can lend itself well to new regulations.

The new building safety regime addresses fire and structural safety from the outset of a project.

With an emphasis on using tested and certified materials, coupled with the goal of minimal design changes, offsite manufacturing has a role to play in the new landscape as designs are set in stone before manufacturing.

Of course, developers must get approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) at Gateway 1 of the BSA before work begins on the factory floor.

Despite being perceived to be laborious, this can actually be beneficial, as fixing structural and material design decisions will also mitigate delays from changes that are more common with traditional construction methods.

Leaning on tech

MMC offers less margin for error, and digital technology supports the implementation of robust inspection regimes.

Vitally, this ensure no defects with manufactured products, preventing safety or quality issues down the line that could cripple a project if or endanger lives if left unchecked.

Digitalising record management means information is safer and easily shareable across the entire project supply chain, minimising the need for additional inspections that could lead to unnecessary and costly delays.

Developers can also use digital platforms to establish a framework for compliance with safety regulations and fire safety management.

Important documentation, such as material certifications, approvals and design changes can be accessible at the click of a button and easily shared to demonstrate the increasingly pertinent digital ‘Golden Thread of Information’.

What’s needed can also be passed onto the BSR at the BSA’s different gateways, of which 2 and 3 came into force in October.

A new framework

Emerging industry-wide standards are helping to realise the latent potential of MMC.

The Building Safety Institution’s (BSI) BS 8644, for example, lays out recommendations for the digital management of fire safety information.

Standardising and digitalising record keeping helps to ensure valuable details aren’t overlooked, and that anything captured is accurate, consistent and can be shared promptly, including where the golden thread is required.

More change is also coming since BSI was commissioned by the Government earlier this year to develop a new Publicly Available Specification (PAS) for homes built using MMC.

The aim is to implement technical standards and clarify quality assurance and compliance processes.

Aligning with the modular construction theme, this consistency provides an extra layer of security for the sector.

Standards like this can help to assure all project teams that they are using high-quality and safe materials that have been approved.

Going digital also means that programs can implement common language, criteria and protocols set out by standards.

Onwards and upwards

Manufacturing in a factory environment offers speed and quality that traditional construction methods struggle to compete with.

New standards and digital technology are syncing up fragmented information across project phases, and providing greater quality assurances from design through to occupation.

Thanks to cloud management capabilities, online platforms enable better cross-team collaboration as project teams can seamlessly communicate information and have it handy for safety inspections.

The Government is taking a hard and fast approach to safety, and to see the potential of MMC realised, robust record management is a must.

We’ve got the tech to do it, the laws are coming into effect, and now contractors need to find the right digital tools to comply and grow.

This article was originally published in the January 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Revolutionising construction compliance with Imerso

by Breaking NewsConstruction

A deep dive into compliant fire-safe installations with Frederico Valente, CEO and Co-Founder of Imerso

Fire-safety compliance in construction is a critical and challenging area, especially with recent stringent regulations.

Exploring the broader landscape of fire-safe installations in the construction industry using the Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland (NHN) project as a case study, we can examine how technology can revolutionise compliance practices in construction, highlighting how innovative technologies like Imerso’s AI are making a significant impact.

An intelligent platform

Imerso is an intelligent platform built to close the gap between the BIM plans and the actual As-built reality at the jobsite.

We achieve this with a two-fold approach: First, by making 3D Laser Scanning so easy and fast that it can be deployed in any project as a daily routine: without need for expensive third-party services or expert surveying skills.

This way, the project teams are able to track and document the As-Built status much more effectively at every step of the project – with millimetre precision, and true-to-life 3D data.

Secondly, our software analyses the incoming field data and compares it to specifications of the BIM models.

This enables the project teams to access their digital jobsites online and conduct virtual site tours with any number of remote teams.

Most importantly, the platform provides instant reports on work progress and quality in real-time with the construction work, including automatic detection of even the most hidden defects.

As a result, project managers can stay ahead of costly rework and delays, avoid time-wasters and disputes, and keep all team members on the same page while they build.

In short, our mission is to enable our customers to build better with better data.

AI development

The inspiration for using AI technology in construction sites came when I challenged my co-founders to experiment with 3D reality capture technologies, as a great solution to track the As-built status in a construction setting more effectively: fast and accurate measurements in every direction in a few minutes.

The problem was the high cost of scanner devices, as well as the expertise traditionally required to use 3D data efficiently.

Our company vision kept developing towards removing both these obstacles and enabling anyone in any project to use 3D Scanning as a routine workflow, especially as the price of equipment continues rapidly decreasing.

Along the way, we were suggested the potential to use this volumetric data to automatically check work quality and progress.

That was our ‘a-ha’ moment.

The landscape of fire-safety compliance

One of the most relevant changes to fire safety compliance in recent years has been widely-reported fire accidents such as Grenfell.

This prompted fire-protection compliance to surface into the spotlight and led to stricter regulations in the UK construction industry.

In other countries we’ve not seen the same regulatory changes yet, but are seeing an increased awareness of fire-safety compliance topics from major construction players and inspection agencies.

In Denmark, the Niels Bohr University construction was an infamous case that got into lots of problems when final inspections revealed tens of thousands of fire closures had not been done properly.

This resulted in the already delayed handover to the University of Copenhagen being postponed indefinitely until all issues were fixed.

The client opened additional investigations on its other construction projects, specifically targeting the quality of firewall construction to mitigate the same scenario from happening elsewhere.

Understandably, there was a lot of frustration for all participants, in addition to unnecessary financial and societal costs, in having to resolve issues that should never have existed.

Case-Study: Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland

In the NHN Case-Study on this topic, the construction managers explain their success with using Imerso to monitor the construction quality of fire-rated wall partitions.

Critical infrastructure buildings like the Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland must adhere to hundreds of fire-safety codes, and fire-rated walls are a particular challenge in construction projects.

Basically, there are some aspects of fire-rated wall constructions that are still somewhat misunderstood in the construction industry.

Fire-rated walls are certified by the manufacturer to deliver a certain performance on fire-resistance (e.g. a 2 hour fire-wall is meant to resist fire for that amount of time).

However, this performance can only be assumed if the equipment is installed as specified by the manufacturer, without any modification.

Unfortunately, in a construction setting, this is often at the mercy of having a proper sequencing plan that takes these matters into consideration.

What typically happens is that the layout for technical services (MEP/HVAC) is still being discussed by the time the partition walls are being erected.

This leads to the walls being closed-up, and later someone opening holes for the technical equipment to pass-through, not realising they might be compromising the fire-rating of the wall installation.

Leveraging Imerso, the NHN team is able to flag the specific locations where the plans for upcoming technical equipment is in collision to the newly-installed metal frames for the fire-rated walls.

This allows immediately communicating the case to the responsible teams before the walls get closed-up: per example, that proper framing must be built to accommodate the openings for the upcoming technical installations.

Another similar scenario relates to out-of-tolerance technical installations at the site, where per example technical HVAC/MEP equipment is installed through openings too close to each-other, or too close to the superstructure.

In the BIM plans, those installations were planned with sufficient space for fire-stopping insulation, as per regulations.

However, the real installation at the site was done in a different placement, where the equipment is breaching the necessary space for regulatory compliance.

Without Imerso’s alerts, these misplacements would likely remain hidden, and pose a significant risk to the project.

AI’s role in construction

The construction sector is still heavily reliant on outdated workflows that have not changed for decades.

The industry is ripe for leveraging modern, digital ways of working and sharing information.

The opportunity is truly transformative, as many current manual workflows can be easily replaced by automated ones, that allows experienced workers to finally do what they do best, instead of wasting time and resources in menial operational tasks.

Working smarter, not harder is the main point here; which will be a powerful ally in helping the industry address its increasing workforce and productivity challenges.

Specifically to AI, I think it’s being hyped beyond the point.

It doesn’t really matter what tech is running behind the curtain, as long as it can deliver value and make people’s lives easier.

As AI continues to advance, it will continue to become even more pervasive in every product.

But the point is that today there is a vast range of tools that can already produce a tremendous positive change.

Strategic compliance

For construction firms looking to improve their fire-safety compliance strategies, my recommendation applies both to ensuring work compliance, as well as to overall ensuring work quality and a well-paced project.

The key is to adopt a proactive approach to site monitoring based on objective data.

Companies can no longer be satisfied with subjective checklists, sparse photographic documentation, or random spot-checks with low level of detail (such as manual red-lining).

Companies will be better served with raising their standards for verifying and approving completed works systemically at every step of the sequence.

Moreover, companies must adopt an internal organisation that sets the right incentives across partners and also recognises that issues will definitely happen – but they are equipped with rapid feedback loops between the site and the office to detect, adapt, and resolve issues on the go without impacting the pace of the project.

Rather than sticking only to what is known and true in the past, rather take every opportunity to explore new ways to work better and continue improving. This is Lean Construction in a nutshell.

This article was originally published in the January 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Contemplations and forecasts for 2024

by Breaking NewsConstruction

Conversations with fire industry experts on 2023 and anticipations for 2024

2023 marked a significant turning point for fire safety.

Long-awaited legislation came to fruition, namely, in the form of secondary changes to the Building Safety and Fire Safety Act.

Yet as the year comes to a close, it’s important to recognise some of construction’s fire-safety milestones, and consider other ways in which industry can ‘level-up’ its approach to fire safety.

Having contacted a range of industry experts, they offer their take on what’s to come in 2024 and where fire-safety professionals should focus their attention.

What’s clear is that certain trends are emerging, such as a need for further collaboration, research and development, and technological innovation.

A more rigorous approach to third-party testing also stood out as an area in need of improvement, and one which could benefit building and fire safety across the board.

Rob Norton, UK Director, PlanRadar

2023 was a year of much-needed legislation change – increasing the accountability of RPs and laying the foundations for watertight fire safety protocols.

It was the push the industry needed.

Moving in to 2024, I predict an increasing reliance on digital tools and platforms as the industry looks to improve the speed and accuracy of fire safety processes.

In particular, the stringent management of fire safety information and record-keeping.

Efficiency will also be key, as fire-safety procedures become engrained, companies will want to find ways of recording and sharing information more easily, be it between internal teams or those outside of their organisation.

The golden thread will also continue to dominate workflows, and many businesses will increase their investment in digital technologies and systems to ensure industry compliance.

Going further, I hope to see further collaboration in construction’s approach to fire-safety, bringing greater consistency and quality to fire-safety checks and strategies.

Peter Long, Divisional Fire & Certification Director at Optima Systems

The past year has highlighted some continuing issues around fire safety – mainly, that the design process and strategies towards fire safety are often not given enough time to allow proper coordination.

When faced with quick turnarounds, it’s difficult to ensure that specified products have appropriate fire test evidence and their performance credentials replicate real-life application.

Working in this way leaves space for mistakes and misspecification.

Going into the new year, I’d like to see increased collaboration between all parties involved in the supply chain.

It’s time for the industry to tackle fire safety projects in a holistic way, rather than the current siloed approach where construction products are specified and procured individually and without proper consideration for their direct interfaces.

As a manufacturer of fire-rated steel-framed glass partitions, Optima is spearheading this initiative, going above and beyond what’s required when it comes to publishing fire-test evidence.

It’s not possible to achieve assured fire safety if manufacturers, designers, specifiers and architects do not share information or recognise its importance.

We must also ensure that each party is cognisant of the latest regulations and guidance – making sure fire safety is considered every step of the way.

In the coming years we must explore ways to standardise levels of competency within the industry, starting with greater levels of training on products and systems as well as tools that improve communication.

Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics

Updates to fire safety regulations in 2023 have brought a renewed focus on the safety and compliance of working environments, particularly within office spaces.

As a result, companies want proof that products can perform and requests for third-party certifications are increasingly common.

We’ve also seen a sharp rise in fire safety awareness and knowledge.

Architects, in particular, want acoustic products that go above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirements, as the ideal is to produce little to no smoke and no droplets, assisting in the safe escape of occupants.

 As fire safety strategies continue to evolve and safeguarding measures become paramount, we expect more relevant testing to be requested, as product fire performance can differ wildly between light and dark colours or thin and thicker applications.

Ian King, COO, Zeroignition

2023 has seen major developments in terms of addressing the gaps within fire safety.

Added responsibilities for RPs (Responsible Person) has been a wake-up call and stricter requirements around the recording and sharing of fire safety information will go a long way to achieving the much-discussed, Golden Thread.

The introduction of planning gateway one is another positive stride towards elevating building safety standards and refining risk management practices.

But the recent much publicised fire on a construction site in Reading shows there’s a way to go.

Looking ahead to 2024, there’s promising emphasis on the use of wood in UK construction projects.

As staunch advocates for the use of timber in construction, we hope this trend continues and recognise that when followed diligently, fire protection protocols around timber structures can match the safety levels of other materials.

Timber also facilitates faster, lower-carbon builds and boosts off-site construction.

Modular construction, with its stringent quality control measures, stands out as a game-changer for future projects.

It is my hope that regulatory reforms persist next year, particularly around increased investment into third-party testing facilities and product certifications.

A focused effort on this area will help create a safer building product market and encourage a ‘safety first’ mindset.

Let’s set our sights on combining safety with sustainability, for a better future for all.

Maria Hudson, CMO, Zutec

The 1st of April 2024 will see the transition phases of the Building Safety Act (BSA) end, with its full legislative and legal weight coming into force.

Whilst it will go a long way to addressing many longstanding issues around fire safety and building quality, many contractors, developers, and asset owners remain unsure about how to comply with key aspects of the regulation.

To help provide more clarity, and prepare for the new regulatory landscape, best-in-class data management will be essential as the industry seeks to define a baseline building safety case, a key objective over the next 12 months as we continue to work towards de-risking the built environment.

That’s only the start, beyond BSA, other incoming regulations, particularly around sustainability, will act as a catalyst for everyone in the supply chain to further digitise processes and get their whole-life building information in order.

The good news is it’s never been easier to do so, and they can take advantage of an array of powerful technologies and solutions in the market to do this effectively and efficiently.

Not only will this ensure holistic compliance, but having a complete data set to analyse will help construction businesses make more informed decisions, leading to better outcomes all-round.

BESA advocates for increased retrofit projects in 2024

by ConstructionFeatured NewsSafety

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to prioritise the acceleration of whole building retrofit projects in 2024.

This call to action focuses on enhancing building performance as a comprehensive solution to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy security, and lower consumer bills.

BESA’s perspective on building retrofits

BESA expressed approval of the additional £1.5 billion allocated to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), part of a larger £6 billion initiative to enhance building energy efficiency.

However, BESA suggests that the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, set to be implemented next year, should concentrate more on complete building solutions.

Despite acknowledging hydrogen’s potential in heating buildings, BESA downplays its practicality, citing financial and technical difficulties.

BESA’s technical director, Graeme Fox, warned against considering hydrogen a significant factor in building decarbonisation, emphasising its limited role compared to full building retrofits utilising energy-efficient design and existing low-carbon heating and cooling solutions.

In 2023, there was a notable increase in applications for heat pump installation grants, following the rise in the BUS scheme to £7,500 per installation.

BESA welcomed a new £400 million energy efficiency grant, launching in 2025, intended to aid households in England with broader home improvements, including larger radiators and insulation.

Government initiatives and funding in building retrofitting

An additional £1.545 billion was allocated to the BUS fund for 2025-2028.

BESA suggested that further funding for 2024 could maintain the momentum in the heat pump market, where over 4,000 contractors are now certified to install heat pumps.

The government is also seeking feedback on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, which could lead to a ban on gas boilers in new homes from 2025.

Graeme Fox commented on the government consultation, noting the potential of new heat pump developments, particularly high-temperature models, in expanding the market.

He emphasised the importance of focusing on holistic building retrofit approaches rather than individual technologies.

Future prospects and industry impact

BESA also highlighted the influence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting on building energy efficiency in 2024.

The upcoming requirement for newly leased commercial buildings to achieve EPC ratings of C or higher by 2025 (and existing leases by 2028) is expected to drive investment in energy performance improvements.

Fox concluded by emphasising the significance of 2024 in advancing whole building retrofits and encouraged the government to transform the Boiler Upgrade Scheme into a more comprehensive Building Upgrade Scheme.

IFSJ Comment

The Building Engineering Services Association’s advocacy for a focus on whole building retrofits in 2024 is a call to action for the building services industry.

This approach aligns with the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security, which are essential in the current climate of environmental and economic challenges.

The government’s response, through funding and policy changes, will be critical in shaping the industry’s trajectory.

The emphasis on comprehensive building solutions, rather than isolated technologies, marks a shift in the approach to building energy efficiency.

As the industry moves forward, the impact of these changes on contractors, consumers, and the broader market will be a key area to monitor.

A comprehensive overhaul of UK construction industry standards

by ConstructionFeatured News

Overview of the Building Safety Act 2023

The Building Safety Act 2022, updated in 2023, signifies a pivotal change in the UK’s approach to construction safety.

Aimed at enhancing building safety measures and preventing fire disasters, this legislation expands regulations, introduces higher safety standards for high-risk buildings, and offers clearer guidance for leaseholders.

The new regime, effective from 1st October 2023, encompasses changes in requirements for high-risk buildings, increased responsibilities for building owners, and amendments to fire safety laws​​​​​​.

Industry response to the Building Safety Act

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) highlights that the construction industry cannot operate a two-track system under the new legislation.

Focusing initially on higher-risk buildings, the Act mandates changes that affect all aspects of project delivery and business management.

Nick Mead, Chair of BESA’s Building Safety Act Advisory Group, emphasises the transformational nature of this legislation, impacting everyone in building services engineering.

He notes that while the Act currently focuses on high-risk buildings, it influences regulatory standards and competency requirements across the board​​.

Implications and future directions

The Act demands evidence of individual and organisational competence, with contractors required to provide more substantial proof than before.

This heightened scrutiny extends to all contractors, irrespective of their project scale, and encompasses significant changes to contract terms.

Facilities managers also play a vital role, given the implications for the ongoing safe operation of buildings.

Mead stresses the importance of embracing these changes as business opportunities, while BESA aims to simplify information around the Act and improve industry-wide collaboration​​.

IFSJ Comment

The Building Safety Act 2023 marks a watershed moment in the UK’s building and construction sector.

It represents a proactive shift towards prioritising safety and quality in building design and construction.

This legislation not only elevates standards for high-risk buildings but also ensures that safety and competency permeate every level of the construction industry.

For professionals in the field, the Act presents both challenges and opportunities.

It compels firms to adapt and innovate, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and responsibility.

The emphasis on comprehensive compliance and collaboration among different industry stakeholders underlines a collective commitment to building a safer and more reliable construction ecosystem.

As this Act reshapes the industry, its long-term benefits in enhancing building safety and quality will likely become a benchmark for other countries.