IN JUNE 2017, the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower, a block of flats in West London, claimed the lives of 72 people. In the aftermath of the episode, questions were asked about the safety and security of high-rise buildings, writes Michael Knibbs.

[Read More]

FIREFIGHTING IS a life-threatening job, with every shift bringing dangerous incidents such as fires, floods, storms and road traffic collisions. Alongside risks including heat exhaustion, burns and mental stress, other less visible hazards pose a threat to firefighter safety. In a timely move, functional footwear expert HAIX Group has now issued Best Practice advice on how to thoroughly clean and decontaminate firefighters’ boots to help prevent a build-up of dangerous contaminants and protect wearer safety.

[Read More]

EVERY YEAR, more and more Data Centres are created to host websites and company data. Breakdowns, cyber security attacks and fires are some of the risks posed to those Data Centres. The consequences of a fire are considerable in economic, material, environmental and, potentially, human terms. Electrical failures are often blamed, but as Ash Crompton observes, new innovations can limit the risk.

[Read More]

‘Bridging the Gap Between Fire and Emergency Lighting Systems’ served as one of the latest webinars to run in Fire Safety Matters’ ongoing series. Taking place on Thursday 10 June at 10.30 am, the event was chaired and moderated by Mark Sennett (CEO at Western Business Media). Brian Sims outlines the main takeaways from the online session

[Read More]

Peter Baker is at the very forefront of establishing the new Building Safety Regulator within the Health and Safety Executive and leading on the delivery of a stronger and more robust safety regime for higher risk residential developments. Brian Sims unearths more of the underpinning detail in conversation with the newly appointed Chief Inspector of Buildings

[Read More]

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.

[Read More]

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?

[Read More]

In the May 2021 edition of Fire Safety Matters (‘On the Bill’, pp20-21), the focus was on Royal Assent for the Fire Safety Bill to become the Fire Safety Act 2021, its implications for the fire sector and for ‘Responsible Persons’. This time around, Stacey Adams delves further into the revamped regulatory environment created by the Act, the implications for existing legislation and reviews the timescales for implementing the new requirements

[Read More]

What steps can fire safety engineers and specifiers take to identify suitable construction products and how can manufacturers – and notably so the manufacturers of fire safety solutions – better support them in ensuring that every building is safe, compliant and built to last? Graham Laws searches for some definitive answers

[Read More]

One absolutely key element of management plans for today’s built environment is to ensure that anyone resident in a given building who has mobility issues can be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency scenario. With this in mind, Gerard Wallace explains the legal framework before outlining Best Practice

[Read More]

As live events begin their return in the UK, The Emergency Services Show at the NEC on 7 and 8 September 2021 represents the first opportunity for the entire UK Emergency Services community and its supply chain to gather as one for Best Practice advice and networking. Fire Safety Matters previews what’s on the agenda in Birmingham

[Read More]

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.

[Read More]

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.

[Read More]

The protection of large premises from fire presents a specific challenge for system designers. The first issue to address is the rapid and reliable detection of smoke. Experience has shown that optical beam smoke detectors offer an excellent solution. Nigel Ward details how recent developments have made this option even more attractive

[Read More]

The use of safety storage cabinets and workstations for the storage and handling of hazardous substances has become an established procedure in many of today’s organisations. Here, Mark Whiteley charts the regular maintenance regimes that are absolutely necessary to ensure sustainable safety

[Read More]

The Loss Prevention Certification Board’s Loss Prevention Standard LPS 1666 focused on fixed fire suppression systems is an important emerging standard that, according to Craig Halford, can afford unique opportunities for enhanced protection thanks to the certified systems now available

[Read More]

What’s your level of understanding when it comes to the value of emergency and exit lighting? As Craig Stead explains, this isn’t a subject to be addressed at the end of a design process just because it’s deemed necessary. With proper planning and the right levels of investment, such lighting can save resources, money and, most importantly, people’s lives

[Read More]

Sadly, the most common cause of death in a fire incident continues to be the excessive inhalation of gas, smoke or toxic fumes. In-built fire curtain barriers are included as one element of building designs to prevent the spread of flames and smoke and, as a result, reduce the risk to occupant safety. David Keeble focuses his attentions on the fine detail

[Read More]

Those industry professionals visiting Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in early September to attend Nineteen Group’s Safety and Security Series will be privy to the UK’s largest group of events wholly dedicated to protecting people, property and assets. Here, Fire Safety Matters takes a look at what’s in store for practitioners at The Fire Safety Event

[Read More]

From 7-9 September, The Fire Safety Event makes a triumphal return to the NEC in Birmingham, with organiser Nineteen Events promising a show that’s bigger and better than ever. Here, Fire Safety Matters learns all about what’s on offer for visitors and seminar delegates from event director Tristan Norman

[Read More]