Fire safety experts urged to register interest for new framework

The framework includes provision for new or replacement passive and active fire protection measures for existing and new domestic and non-domestic buildings, as well as consultancy and cladding.

Available to use by all public sector bodies across England, Scotland and Wales, FS2 expands on services previously offered in LHC’s FS1 framework. It also follows the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, in force as of 23 January this year, and the introduction of both the Building Safety Act 2022 and Fire Safety Act 2021.

High on the agenda

Dean Fazackerley, head of technical procurement at LHC, said: “Fire safety has never been higher on the agenda with post-Grenfell regulations recently coming into force. It’s more important than ever for local authorities and social housing providers alike to carefully consider the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire.”

Fazackerley added: “We developed the FS2 framework in collaboration with the marketplace to provide more opportunities to work with a wider variety of suppliers, notably so SMEs. Our public sector clients told us they want more availability of regional suppliers and FS2 directly answers that demand.”

Further, Fazackerley observed: “It’s also important that we provide a comprehensive range of fire safety services for the public sector to access, especially so as many fire safety suppliers offer both passive and active services from detection to spread prevention. It was a logical step to include both under one framework as these work hand-in-hand in buildings to prevent, detect, alert and even suppress fire that has already started.”

Range of services

FS2 features a range of fire-related services including fire safety consultancy; fire risk assessments, fire safety inspections, passive fire protection installation, servicing and maintenance, fire alarm installation testing, servicing and maintenance, fire suppression system installation, servicing and maintenance, ‘Waking Watch’ services and cladding remediation and replacement.

It will also include provision to replace, repair and maintain fire doors, shutters and associated equipment, install signage to meet the building’s fire strategy and maintain and install carbon monoxide, heat and smoke detectors.

Suppliers have the ability to act as principal contractor for active fire protection and passive prevention.

Registrations of interest

Once registrations of interest have been received, FS2 tender documents will be made available in the summer of 2023.

The framework will be available via both direct award and mini competition through LHC’s business units across the country, including the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC), the Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA), the South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) and also LHC London and South East England (LSE).

LHC works closely with public sector organisations to develop values-based frameworks offering more opportunities for regional suppliers.

To find out more about FS2, register interest and also register for the pre-tender engagement webinar being hosted by LHC on 7 March, visit LHC Group’s In-Tend Portal.

*Further information is available online at www.lhc.gov.uk