Fire safety compliance in England’s high-rises falls short under new regulations

by Building ManagementConstructionSafety

Recent findings reveal low compliance rates

According to new research from FASTSIGNS UK, fire and rescue services in England have received only a fraction of the required building and external wall plans for high-rise buildings under the updated fire safety regulations.

These findings, based on Freedom of Information requests to 18 fire services, show that only about 30% of building plans and 21% of external wall plans have been submitted since the regulations were updated.

This low compliance comes despite the legal obligation for responsible persons of high-rise residential buildings, with seven or more storeys, to provide local fire and rescue services with essential safety information, as stipulated by the Fire Safety (England) Regulation 2022, effective from 23 January 2023.

The importance of these regulations was underscored by the Grenfell Tower tragedy in July 2017, which led to enhanced legal requirements including the necessity for clear, updated building plans to facilitate safe and effective emergency responses.

Variation in compliance across regions

The research highlights significant disparities in compliance among different fire services across England.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service reported the highest compliance, receiving 88% of both building and external wall plans.

In stark contrast, Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service received only 6% of building plans and a mere 4% of external wall plans.

This suggests a varied landscape of adherence across the region, potentially impacting the effectiveness of fire services during emergencies.

The data for this research was gathered to help fire services prepare more effectively for potential emergencies, ensuring they have the necessary information to navigate high-rise buildings safely.

It also aims to facilitate safer evacuation for residents by providing clear, signposted exit routes.

Comments from industry experts

John Davies, managing director of FASTSIGNS UK, emphasised the critical role of up-to-date safety information in building management: “No matter what the industry, health and safety signage is fundamental in minimising risks and supporting people’s wellbeing, as well as being crucial in the event of an emergency.

“With certified safety and directional signage, both residents and response teams will be able to clearly navigate high-rise buildings when an incident occurs.

“We work closely with our customers around England so that any buildings that fall under this criteria meet these new requirements.”

IFSJ Comment

The recent study revealing the low compliance with fire safety regulations in England’s high-rises raises significant concerns about safety standards and enforcement.

While some regions like Cheshire showcase high levels of adherence, the overall low compliance rate across the country points to a critical need for stronger enforcement and accountability mechanisms.

This issue highlights gaps in the regulatory framework and stresses the need for continuous improvement and oversight to ensure that safety regulations are more than just statutory requirements but actual practices that safeguard lives.

Collaborative compliance

by Breaking NewsSafety

An exploration of the innovative strategies and future vision of Drax Technology in the realm of fire safety and compliance by improving fire safety productivity with data

Navigating through the intricate landscape of fire safety and compliance management, Drax Technology has established itself as a market leader over the past 25 years.

With a steadfast commitment to innovation, this esteemed company has been at the forefront in developing advanced fire alarm monitoring solutions and compliance technologies, with solutions that offer a complete oversight of critical fire safety systems and an exhaustive audit trail to ensure unwavering compliance across various sectors including healthcare, education, manufacturing, hospitality, and leisure.

To gain deeper insights into this technological evolution, IFSJ spoke with Alex Cother, a Consultant for Drax Technology, who shed light on how the company’s innovative fire alarm, compliance and safety management technology platforms is allowing organisations to stay in control of their detection systems across their entire building portfolio.

At the core of his work with Drax Technology has been AMX, a product designed for any buildings, adept at gathering information and centralising it.

Cother’s expertise in these systems has been a cornerstone of the company’s success.

Reflecting on his role, he notes: “The principles that we’re using currently are very much the same.”

As part of a sale process last year, Cother transitioned to a consultancy role with Drax Technology following its acquisition by Obsequio Group.

His focus now lies in guiding the company through the adoption of new technology, enhancing productivity, and elevating service to customers.

A crucial aspect of this consultancy revolves around compliance, especially in the post-Grenfell era, where the stakes in fire safety have risen dramatically.

He emphasises the “importance of safeguarding Responsible Persons from going to prison,” highlighting the increased scrutiny and expectations in fire safety post-Grenfell.

Developing relationships

One of the primary challenges faced by Drax Technology has been forging and maintaining relationships with fire panel manufacturers.

This aspect of their business is crucial, as it directly impacts their ability to access and integrate various fire safety systems.

Over the years, this has been a complex terrain to navigate.

However, Cother notes that there has been a notable shift in the last 10 years.

The initial struggle was rooted in detection technology manufacturers’ tendencies to closely guard their protocols, which inadvertently limited the sales potential of their products.

Since recognising this, many manufacturers have now adopted a more collaborative approach.

Over the years the company has established strong relationships with the majority of manufacturers, gaining access to crucial protocols.

“It gives us the capability of being able to take information from different manufacturers and do something to really improve the operational maintenance of the building,” Cother adds.

This access allows Drax Technology to give users greater control, from isolating alarms for testing to pin-pointing exact locations of a critical fire event from one centralised platform.

Information utilisation

The ability to interface with these systems is only the first step.

Drax Technology goes further by leveraging the information provided by these systems to improve management reviews and operational efficiency.

“Because we’re tracking the entire fire event history across an entire building portfolio we’re able to surface insights to asset owners allowing them to make informed decisions and improve their productivity“ explains Cother.

In essence, Drax Technology ensures that fire detection systems fulfil their primary role while also offering enhanced management and r eview capabilities.

Through overcoming these challenges and building productive relationships with manufacturers, Drax Technology has solidified its position as a leader in fire safety and compliance management, continually striving to offer innovative and effective solutions in a complex industry.

Incorporating IoT

The future vision of Drax Technology is closely intertwined with the evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Traditionally, fire detection has operated in a somewhat insular manner, but with the advent of IoT, this is rapidly changing.

“Fire detection seems to have been very much isolated in its approach,” notes Cother.

However, there is a growing recognition that a fire detection device is essentially another sensor within the larger ecosystem of building management.

A unified compliance framework

Looking ahead, Cother sees the continued expansion of IoT technologies as pivotal in their sector.

He envisions a future where the boundaries between fire safety, NEW TECHNOLOGY security, and other compliance systems become less distinct, leading to a more cohesive set of compliance tools.

This integration, he believes, will not only streamline operations but also provide a clearer, more accessible view of overall building performance and compliance for non-technical users.

Conclusion

As Drax Technology looks to the future, its focus on integrating IoT technologies into their compliance solutions reflects a forward[1]thinking approach.

By broadening its scope beyond traditional fire safety measures and delving into a more holistic view of building management and compliance, Drax Technology is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of safety and compliance in the built environment.

Cother underlines: “The vision is for a more interconnected and user-friendly suite of compliance tools signalling a new era in building management, where safety, efficiency, and compliance are seamlessly integrated for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

For in-depth information and to explore our offerings, visit www.draxtechnology.com.

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

PACDA issues advice to avoid summer fires

by Middle East - Projects

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection in industrial facilities to avoid summer fires.

“Property damage and material losses due to fires are being caused because of the high temperatures expected during the summer and the failure of some industrial establishments in meeting requirements of civil protection,” PACDA said.

According to data published by the authority, the number of recorded fires in industrial facilities in 2019 reached 47 fire accidents, compared to 61 fire accidents in 2018, with a decrease of 23%.

In order to prevent fires in industrial installations, the PACDA has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection, such as periodic maintenance of the facility’s fire and alarm systems, and the implementation of safety procedures in storage, and other aspects that pose a threat to the facilities, their employees and their users.

PACDA has also called for the preparation of an emergency plan for the facility and to train workers on how to implement it. They added that, “the authority is ready to provide support and assistance in preparing the emergency plan for the facilities and carrying out practical exercises to ensure the suitability of the plan with the nature and size of the facility.”

FireArrest app launched to “support compliance with fire safety measures”

by PassiveProducts

Designed to support fire safety professionals in ensuring compliance with fire safety measures, the FireArrest app has launched. This new passive fire protection app allows site managers, surveyors and onsite teams to communicate across multiple fire safety projects.

The app has been designed alongside fire stopping professionals, specifically for use in the fire protection sector, with the aim of offering a solution that is “modern, easy to use, intuitive, wide-ranging.”

The full array of features allows fire professionals to work simultaneously on a project effectively and collaboratively while providing a complete audit trail of any work that has been completed to ensure compliance every step of the way, says the company behind the app.

Managing Director, Mark Shaw, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to roll this technology out. We’ve worked incredibly hard to create a product that is simple, affordable and effective. We are able to cover every stage of your passive fire protection project, from the first survey to completion. The app is full of tools and features which give users the opportunity to report and complete work efficiently.”

To coincide with the launch, FireArrest has also unveiled a new website. “We’ve opted for a modern and sleek design, to correspond with our brand values, and we’re really pleased with the results.”

To mark the app launch, FireArrest is offering an exclusive launch price, with the first six-months at half price for anyone who signs up.