PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS harness sunlight to generate electricity through semiconductor materials, providing a sustainable and renewable energy source. Being electrical systems, though, means that solar PV installations present common fire risks that need to be managed to ensure safety and performance, as Spike Armstrong discovers.

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FIRE SAFETY in hotels has garnered increased attention on recent times following a series of high-profile incidents, writes Thomas Roche. In January this year, for example, the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort of the Bolu Province in Turkey killed 78 people. That was global news.

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LAST OCTOBER, the Government announced its continued commitment to the future of education, writes Thomas Roche, by unveiling plans to rebuild another 114 schools across the country. That investment presents an invaluable opportunity to ensure that our school buildings are not just fit for purpose, but also resilient for decades to come. Are we really thinking long-term about fire protection in these rebuilds?

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AS WE continue to step into the New Year, and reflect on fire incidents from 2024, one key question immediately springs to mind: ‘How long does it truly take to recover from and then rebuild after a devastating fire? The lingering scars of fire disasters across the UK remind us all of the enduring challenges involved in recovery and reconstruction, writes Tom Roche.

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2024, STATES Philip White, marked the shift from groundwork to meaningful action. There has been a demonstration of what’s possible when unity develops behind a shared goal, but that’s just the beginning. The long-term journey is all about building and managing a safer and more accountable built environment for everyone.

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AS MANY sector commentators continue to reflect on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and its recommendations, it’s important to recognise that the issues brought to light extend far beyond high-rise residential buildings. The challenges highlighted by this tragedy, asserts Thomas Roche, and highlighted in the Phase 2 final report are not confined to one type of building or one type of issue. Rather, they permeate across the entire built environment.

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IN ORDER to achieve the United Nations’ stated goal of ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions by 2040, significant changes must be made, and particularly so in the construction sector. As the global population continues to grow, streamlining the construction industry becomes increasingly essential, emphasising the need to adopt more sustainable practices, as Ramtech Electronics reports.

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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL Development (CPD) is essential for fire safety and HVAC engineers such that they can stay ahead in what is now a rapidly evolving industry, particularly so in view of the increasing demands exerted by the Building Safety Act 2022. Here, SMAY Ventilation Systems’ David Fitzpatrick examines the importance of CPD in fire safety and HVAC system design.

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WITH THE built environment contributing a significant amount of the UK’s total carbon footprint, there’s no question that the construction sector needs to act in order to ensure buildings meet their sustainable development goals. However, terminology and language have changed and have started to form a new set of ‘accounting principles’ which, to the uninitiated, govern material selection and choices for a project, as Iain Cox observes.

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THE TALL Buildings Conference and Awards 2024 took place at etc. Venues, St Pauls in central London on 25 June, duly bringing together leading experts to discuss the critical aspects of high-rise construction with a significant focus on fire safety. Here, David Fitzpartick of conference sponsor and Premium Exhibitor SMAY Ventilation Systems summarises the key insights related to fire safety, as highlighted by industry professionals and showcased in various presentations at conference.

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IN THE realm of fire regulation, in 2020 the UK emerged as a leader in Europe by reducing the height threshold guidance for sprinklers in new build residential buildings to 11 metres. However, when it comes to fire safety guidance in warehouses, the situation is quite different, as Alan Brinson finds out.

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THE SEVENTH anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire occurred on 14 June. In the time since that tragedy, we’ve focused on themes including the importance of responsibility and cultural change within the construction industry. While challenges remain within the built environment, many positive changes are taking place. Here, Craig Wells highlights the improvements being made.

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IT’S AN established fact that companies often become insolvent not because they’re inherently bad businesses, but simply because they run out of cash. Here, Philip King explains why a ‘back to basics’-style approach would help many organisations overcome the late payment challenge.

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IN THE construction industry, selecting the right ventilation system supplier is paramount to any project’s success and efficiency. The decision-making process involves a thorough evaluation, from ensuring compliance with industry standards to addressing specific needs. Here, David Fitzpatrick delves into not-so-obvious questions worth asking before entering into co-operation agreements.

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IN THE realm of fire detection and alarm systems, the visible costs associated with their purchase often represent merely the tip of the iceberg. The true cost of ownership, asserts Max Jones, encompasses a spectrum of factors that extend far beyond the initial installation price.

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CRAIG TAYLOR examines how systems integration not only facilitates the early detection of potential fire hazards, but also enables swift and co-ordinated responses, in turn minimising the risk of damage and ensuring the well-being of students and staff alike within the educational setting.

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THE NEW Year is upon us, writes Tom Roche, which means many of us will be starting to plan our 2024 vacation, while others will be scheduling work trips. In booking your accommodation, though, have you ever spared a thought for fire safety? We normally take such important matters for granted in these premises. It’s well worth remembering why we shouldn’t.

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LATE LAST year, London Build Expo ran at London’s Olympia. As part of the conference programme for The Fire Safety Stage, a Quelfire-sponsored panel discussion involving selected professionals took place on 16 November from 11.00 am-11.50 am. The core subject up for debate? Standardising processes when it comes to firestopping. Fire Safety Matters reports on the key points that emerged.

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SELECTING AND then installing the correct passive fire protection system can be confusing given that there’s a range of application requirements and legislation in place, not to mention a host of products from which to choose. Here, Ken Francis addresses some of the most frequent questions posed by customers to members of the technical team at Promat.

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THE FIRE at the Beechmere Retirement Village in Crewe was one of the biggest incidents attended by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, writes Tom Roche. Occupied by elderly people, many of whom needed assistance, the facility was located in an unsprinklered building that was vulnerable to fire damage.

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The multilayer PCB segment is a big part of our production. In order to support this important segment, we have developed long-standing relationships with a broad factory base. The factories are carefully selected in our sourcing process.

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