WITH MORE and more manufacturers and businesses becoming aware of the importance of fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent legislation (including the Fire Safety Act and the Building Safety Bill), greater steps are now being taken to ensure that all products in buildings are as fire-resistant as possible. However, an item that is usually overlooked in this area is the humble doormat, writes First Mats.

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AFTER MUCH discussion and debate in Westminster, the Fire Safety Bill finally received Royal Assent in April this year and has passed into law as the Fire Safety Act 2021, writes Brian Kelly. What part might remote fire systems monitoring play from this point onwards?

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WHEN ELECTRICIANS are required to install fire detection and fire alarm systems within domestic premises, it’s often the case that the design of such systems is effectively undertaken by others (for example, manufacturers or housebuilders) writes Tim Benstead. For domestic installations, such designers may detail what types of alarms should be installed and where and then provide the alarms specified.

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OF LATE, there has been much talk of the dash for warehouses that service a thriving e-commerce sector. Demand is strong for large, tall and clear spaces to meet the seemingly insatiable appetite for online shopping. When you consider that the average cost of a large warehouse fire is £5.9 million and that 43 warehouse fires occur every month, can those businesses operating them afford to take any risks when it comes to fire protection? The Business Sprinkler Alliance investigates.

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FOUR YEARS on from the Grenfell Tower disaster we mourn those who died, writes Reece Goodman, but also take stock of what has happened since then.

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THE UPHEAVAL in education due to the pandemic in the past year has only highlighted how damaging the closure of schools has been and the legacy of lost learning. Further unnecessary interruption to education should be avoided, not least when it comes to fire, writes Iain Cox.

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AS PART of 2021’s Dementia Action Week (which runs from 17-23 May), Claire O’Meara shares some perspectives on how today’s fire safety-centric technology can help safeguard tenants with dementia.

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IN EARLY April, when industrial fires broke out in two different locations, they both had the same devastating outcome. As Tom Roche observes, these outcomes once again create a focus on the debate about mandating fire sprinkler systems for buildings.

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TESTING AN industrial enclosure to recognised standards ensures that the enclosure specified will do the job in real world conditions. For product development or bespoke enclosures, though, testing can delay projects unless a fast turnaround – that still meets exacting standards – can be achieved. Chris Lloyd explains the benefits of in-house testing for enclosure specifiers.

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from across Europe will continue to push the boundaries to ensure that the testing and classification of construction products is suitable and sufficient to ensure the safety of modern buildings. Niall Rowan discusses some of the significant issues affecting fire safety – and in particular passive fire protection – in Europe

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The last 12 months has without doubt been the most challenging period in all of our careers and, arguably, all of our lives. Like each area of the NHS, the delivery of fire safety services within healthcare has presented an unprecedented and unique set of challenges, as Peter Aldridge observes

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In an exclusive first interview for the sector’s trade media, Fire Safety Matters’ Editor Brian Sims hears from the Association for Specialist Fire Protection’s new CEO Steve Davies about his bold plans for the organisation and also learns about his considered views on upcoming issues and concerns relating to the passive fire protection sector

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Fire safety regimes adopted for hospitals fall under the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and require fire risk assessments, fire safety policies and an operational strategy for implementing them. Chris Dixon details what key considerations a typical fire safety plan should encompass

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In view of evidence heard at the ongoing Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, the Government’s White Paper on social housing and the draft Building Safety Bill, there has arguably never been a more intense focus on improving fire prevention and response infrastructures for social housing. James King and Nick Rutter evaluate the role to be played by connected technology

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Sponsored by asecos, the latest webinar in the popular series run by Fire Safety Matters took place on Tuesday 13 April, this time around with the focus on the safe storage and handling of lithium batteries to counteract fire risks. Brian Sims delves deep into what’s an increasingly important area of fire safety

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Fire safety professionals and architects are justifiably focusing their attentions on ensuring that the designs and materials used during the construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing structures are not just compliant, but also following established industry Best Practice. Here, Joan Ferrer turns his attentions towards fire safety in relation to inverted flat roofs

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The benefits of dynamic emergency exit signage over conventional, passive ‘running man’ equivalents are proven and well established. As Alan Ward observes, such signage reduces risk, increases the safety factor and affords staff and visitors alike that all-important additional peace of mind

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As a direct consequence of the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, and as part of the organisation’s stated mission to make structures safer, save lives and reduce injures, CROSS-UK’s remit has now been broadened to encompass fire safety. Neil Gibbins outlines the benefits to be realised by this move

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With the fire sector one that operates across the devolved nations, Andy Speake outlines why sector professionals should be pushing for greater and clearer legislation that makes requirements consistent as the current situation leaves many who are not experts in the fire arena confused and unsure as to what to fit in terms of system solutions

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WITH NEW fire safety legislation demanding a renewed focus on safety in all residential settings, Karen Trigg explains why care home and sheltered housing associations must absolutely prioritise the maintenance of fire doors.

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