Quelfire talks the importance of early engagement in firestopping products

by Breaking NewsPassive

Craig Wells, Sales Director, Quelfire highlights the importance of early engagement in firestopping products and what’s required from a client’s perspective

As a manufacturer and supplier of specialist firestopping products for gaps and penetrations in buildings, Quelfire has made it their mission to use their knowledge to promote the importance of early engagement in firestopping. This being the practice that firestopping should be considered at the earliest stages of construction and firestopping contractors, as well as the firestopping manufacturers, should be involved.

Early engagement in firestopping is imperative because ultimately, it saves lives and protects property. By designing and installing firestopping solutions correctly, this allows it to do its job when exposed to fire.

To ensure buildings are safe and comply with relevant regulations, firestopping needs to be designed according to manufacturers’ tested details. If firestopping is not considered when decisions are made about the location of compartmentation walls and main routes of M&E services, there is no guarantee that the manufacturer will have a tested solution. If these discrepancies come to light too late in the project, participants can face serious extra costs and delays due to needing to redesign service penetrations. By involving the specialist firestopping contractor and the manufacturer in the early stages, these can be avoided.

Moreover, considering firestopping at the early stages will support work further down the line when the project enters the installation stage. It will give all parties involved extra time to utilize the support offered by the manufacturer, such as on-site training about the correct installation of products as per the design and manufacturer’s guidance.

Passive fire protection is a complex matter, needing coordination between several trades and for all factors to be considered. However, having a clear, structured plan will safeguard reputations and give a competitive edge, eliminating any concerns about non-compliance amidst the increased scrutiny in the construction industry. 

Who Else Needs to be Engaged?

The virtual panel discussion titled: “Firestopping service penetrations – the importance and benefits of early engagement” of the London Build (2020) highlighted that firestopping service penetrations should not only be about the firestop products, but about the services themselves and the substrate construction. It’s important to engage with all trades and system manufacturers involved, such as manufacturers of gas pipes or sprinkler pipes, as well as contractors installing these systems. For example, the insulation that is added to the pipes will need to be determined that there is a tested firestopping solution compatible with it before building can start. Therefore, every participant must communicate with each other before anything gets designed or built to avoid running into any problems later.

Quelfire’s support

Committed to protecting people and property, Quelfire are advocates of early engagement in firestopping and are keen to educate the construction industry about the importance of fire safety. By working together with every participant involved in a construction project, from design to installation, Quelfire offer value-added services and support material to facilitate all parties in achieving compliance.

An early engagement consultation can be hosted via Teams or Zoom, with face-to-face meetings being an option if required. This consultation will identify the requirements of the project through the Quelfire information collection form (ICF) with additional drawings for more complex scenarios. This is an internal process, designed by Quelfire, that helps collect all necessary information to provide a correct tested detail. For example, the composition and size of services running through a compartment wall, or whether a letterbox is being formed. A follow up with a package of suitable standard details will then be issued accordingly. These consultations will involve and primarily work to educate all members of the project team.

As Quelfire specialise in firestopping, they have a dedicated technical team who are readily available to help with any questions and challenges that come up during the later stages of the project. To support design and specification, on the website there is no-strings-attached technical documentation such as: NBS specifications, BIM models, tested detail drawings and product datasheets.

Other than technical advice, Quelfire offer high-level, CPD certified, training on Effective Passive Fire Protection. This is beneficial for anyone involved in the design or management of installation of firestopping solutions. The CPD training is available as an open webinar for individual registration and as a dedicated session for organisations such as: architect practices, main contractors, and other organisations.

One important detail that gives Quelfire a competitive advantage is their wider range of tested details. By using real-life scenarios and regular customer feedback, they carry out fire tests monthly, with a significant proportion of their annual investment going into R&D. 

The requirements

Quelfire appreciate how difficult it is to change current practices within construction. However, they firmly believe that it is a necessary change to help reduce the risk of further incidents and overall, help improve the perception of the construction industry. In most cases, a cultural change is required to appreciate that decisions made about fire stopping are life safety decisions.

Being dedicated to ‘doing it right the first time around’ and paying attention to detail will not only improve fire safety but work to serve all parties. By taking these measures at the design stage, all parties can relish in the fact that they are saving lives and protecting property, whilst knowing that they are preserving their reputation.

Further to this, it is essential for cross-party communication and coordination. Referring to the ‘Firestopping of service penetrations: best practice in design and installation’ and ASFP’s development, there are 37 questions that need to be considered when designing and installing firestopping solutions. Not a single party involved will know the answer to all questions, so it is vital that every party participates and shares their expertise. This further links to competency and the idea of knowing what you do not know and being prepared to seek professional advice from firestopping contractors and manufacturers.

By providing these value-added services, Quelfire can educate all parties involved to decrease the risk of any catastrophes, like Grenfell, happening in the future. Through using every platform to get the word out, they hope to be the catalyst of a cultural change that encourages buildings being designed around available tested solutions. As FIREX approaches, there has never been more of an urgent time than now to have these important conversations about early engagement in firestopping.

This article was originally published in the May edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here

Quelfire: Building Safety Act brings ‘air of hope’

by Featured News

Fire Protection System supplier Quelfire looks at The Building Safety Act and what it means for the fire industry

It has been nearly five years since the devastating fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower, which saw the loss of 72 lives. Others lost their homes, possessions and loved ones, which changed the course of their lives forever. Since the tragic event, a public inquiry was conducted into the cause of the fire, leading the construction industry to come under heavy scrutiny.

In May 2018, Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety found that “the regulatory system for high-rise and complex buildings was not fit for purpose.” 53 recommendations were put forward to change the way the industry works and create a safer living space for residents. But more importantly, Dame Judith Hackitt looks to drive a cultural change to make sure something this catastrophic never happens again.

After being introduced to parliament in July 2020, the Building Safety Bill was published a year later in July 2021 and was summarised by then-Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick as a “key step in an extensive overhaul to building safety legislation.”

On the 28th of April 2022, the Bill received Royal Assent meaning that now it has passed all the parliamentary stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it will take a more prominent stance in the built industry as The Building Safety Act.

The Act will be directly responsible for buildings that are at least 18 metres tall or have seven storeys, with at least two residential units. It will also cover hospitals and care homes if they meet the specification.

The Building Safety Act (BSA) has named the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to oversee the safety and performance of all buildings. With this, comes the duty to assist and encourage improvements in the built environment industry, holding powers of enforcement and sanctions.

Introduction of Gateways two and three will establish new requirements at key stages of design and construction. They are vital decision points within a project that must be passed before it can progress to the next stage, therefore, enabling a rigorous process where each stage of design and construction is monitored.

The Golden Thread, which is a live digital document that allows someone to understand a building and ensure that all information is up-to-date and accurate, will guarantee that any person responsible for any aspect of a project or building – dutyholders – work and findings are handed to the building’s owner upon completion. This will enable the right person to have the correct information regarding the safety of residents and building; ensuring risks are managed effectively. Failure to comply will see that those who are responsible for the safety of a building – the Accountable Person – are charged by criminal offence.

Finally, the introduction of The New Home Ombudsman, which will offer dispute resolution for buyers of new build homes against developers, enables the creation of a Construction Product Regulator (CPR), who will confront poor practice early on in a project and help guarantee that all construction products on the UK market are safe. They will work closely with the BSR to ensure the system of product testing and certification is being followed.

Both parties will assist in advising The Secretary of State on which products should be considered as safety-critical and consequently, remove products from the market that present any safety risks.

 So, what does this mean for the fire industry?

The government are working to ensure that the Fire Safety Order 2005 (FSO), which places duty on individuals in an organisation – the Responsible Person – to identify, control and reduce the risk of fire, and the new building safety regime work effectively together. The Fire Safety Clause in the BSA amends the FSO to further strengthen fire safety measures for non-domestic premises, which include common parts of high-rise residential buildings subject to the BSA. The FSO and BSA will overlap in some respects, but through the cross-work of the government, by aligning these essential regimes it will ultimately work to further protect residents in high-rise residential buildings.

In a typical safety case report, the Accountable Person will ensure that they have a preventative approach for managing building safety risks. An aspect of this report will cover major fire and structural hazards for example, compartmentation. This includes key areas of passive fire protection: linear gaps and cavity fire stops, service penetrations and fire doors. HSE is urging anyone involved in the design or construction of a building to act now, at the earliest stage, and become proactive in the process of ‘building a safer future.’ The work the fire industry does now can help comply with this by raising more awareness of what early engagement in firestopping is; conducting CPDS to educate the industry; providing more tested details and technical support and offering on-site support.

Despite the Building Safety Act being law, many of the requirements will not come into force until 12-18 months after the Royal Assent as the industry prepares for the new regime. The government’s transition plan can be found here.

The risk of fire has decreased considerably over the years. However, the tragedy of Grenfell has shown that there is too much scope for “poor practice, poor culture, poor accountability and poor management.” The Building Safety Act brings an air of hope to survivors and their family members but ultimately, pays respect to the 72 victims. Without the Act, there would be no push for government reform and the risk of Grenfell happening again would be inevitable.

Quelfire comments on the Building Safety Act

by Breaking NewsConstructionIndustry Sectors

Fire protection system supplier Quelfire has commented on the new Building Safety Act and what it will mean for the fire industry.

After being introduced to parliament in July 2020, the Building Safety Bill was published a year later in July 2021 and was summarised by then-Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick as a “key step in an extensive overhaul to building safety legislation.”

On the 28th of April 2022, the Bill received Royal Assent meaning that now it has passed all the parliamentary stages in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it will take a more prominent stance in the built industry as The Building Safety Act.

The Act will apply to buildings that are at least 18 metres tall or have seven storeys, with at least two residential units. It will also cover hospitals and care homes if they meet the specification.

Quelfire explained that the government are working to ensure that the Fire Safety Order 2005 (FSO), which places duty on individuals in an organisation – the Responsible Person – to identify, control and reduce the risk of fire, and the new building safety regime work effectively together.

“The Fire Safety Clause in the BSA amends the FSO to further strengthen fire safety measures for non-domestic premises, which include common parts of high-rise residential buildings subject to the BSA,” said Quelfire. “The FSO and BSA will overlap in some respects, but through the cross-work of the government, by aligning these essential regimes it will ultimately work to further protect residents “in high-rise residential buildings.

In a typical safety case report, the Accountable Person will ensure that they have a preventative approach for managing building safety risks. An aspect of this report will cover major fire and structural hazards for example, compartmentation. This includes key areas of passive fire protection: linear gaps and cavity fire stops, service penetrations and fire doors. HSE is urging anyone involved in the design or construction of a building to act now, at the earliest stage, and become proactive in the process of ‘building a safer future.’

“The work the fire industry does now can help comply with this by raising more awareness of what early engagement in firestopping is; conducting CPDS to educate the industry; providing more tested details and technical support and offering on-site support.

“Despite the Building Safety Act being law, many of the requirements will not come into force until 12-18 months after the Royal Assent as the industry prepares for the new regime. The government’s transition plan can be found here.

“The risk of fire has decreased considerably over the years. However, the tragedy of Grenfell has shown that there is too much scope for “poor practice, poor culture, poor accountability and poor management.” The Building Safety Act brings an air of hope to survivors and their family members but ultimately, pays respect to the 72 victims. Without the Act, there would be no push for government reform and the risk of Grenfell happening again would be inevitable.”