Ian Humby,  UK Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe, explores why a system-wide approach and open-protocol thinking is vital for modern fire safety. W hole-building fire safety is often only truly noticed when something goes wrong. Yet the real challenge is designing systems that protect every part of a building without interrupting day-to-day operations. That means steering projects towards intelligent, scalable solutions where devices, panels and reporting tools work together se

Sue Corrick of Allegion UK reviews the expanding role of digital information in building safety and how its use is transforming fire door hardware from passive fire protection to an active data source. Data drives informed decisions, and in the built environment, the role of information is growing. Where fire safety is paramount to building design, the adoption of digital practice - combined with modern legislation -  proceeds to have a greater impact on standards and is resh

New fastener lengths in EJOT’s DDS-Z range, exclusively available in the UK, are enabling much deeper levels of soffit insulation to be installed easily and efficiently thanks to the screw’s ability to anchor effectively into concrete with an embedment of just 25mm. Existing DDS-Z fasteners in lengths including 275mm, 300mm, 325mm and 350mm are already proving popular with installers tasked with meeting higher thermal performance and fire resistance objectives in projects suc

Fire protection solutions manufacturer, Advanced, has introduced SmokeGo, a smoke control panel designed to offer complete and active smoke management through the fire system, without the complexity. Developed to give specifiers, installers, and end-users a smarter, more intuitive way to achieve smoke control in a range of buildings, it is designed to make smoke control simpler, faster and fully compliant. From dedicated to non-dedicated smoke control systems, SmokeGo makes c

FrameSafe FR fire-rated external wall breather membrane has been installed to help improve safety standards as part of cladding remediation works in Greater Manchester. Specify & Build reports. FrameSafe FR, Glidevale Protect’s Class A2, fire-rated external wall breather membrane, has been installed to help improve safety standards as part of the cladding remediation works being undertaken at a major medium-rise residential development in Greater Manchester.  The Life Buildin

A rapid and precisely executed two-week retrofit contract has brought the fire compartmentation within the complex roof-spaces to a Nottinghamshire health centre up to current standards under the Building Regulations, with the work being carried out by a Midlands based contractor, highly experienced in the installation of the FIREFLY ®  systems specified.   The Meadow Heath Health Centre in the south-east area of the city has been undergoing alterations to allow two existing

Historians will know how ‘Forming Square’ proved a useful defence during the Napoleonic Wars, but FIREFLY ®  adopted a modern interpretation of the tactic at this year’s London Build Expo by positioning its latest product launches at the corners of its striking stand.    The Rochdale based manufacturer whose flexible fire barrier systems such as Zeus and Titan Lite are to be found providing compartmentation in commercial, industrial and other buildings across the country, has

Andy Lake, Sales Director at Pyroguard, explains how multi-functional fire safety glass can help architects and contractors navigate the complex requirements of modern building projects. Fire safety glass is specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of flames, smoke and toxic gases, therefore protecting people, property and possessions in the unfortunate event of a fire. However, its capabilities extend far beyond just fire resistance.  In fa

Carl Thompson, Technical Manager for CA Group, explores how fire performance testing is vital to achieve compliance, safety and clarity in specification. In the construction and building materials industry, few topics are as critical, and often as misunderstood, as fire performance testing. Two of the most frequently referenced issues in the UK are ‘fire resistance’ and ‘reaction to fire’. While both address fire safety, they do so from very different perspectives. Understand

Tom Roche, Secretary at the Business Sprinkler Alliance, considers whether fire safety standards for hotels go far enough. Recent high-profile hotel fires have brought renewed attention to fire safety standards across the hospitality sector. A major incident in a hotel in Turkey earlier this year resulted in the deaths of 78 people and prompted global concern.  Meanwhile, in the UK, the 2017 fire at the Cameron House Hotel near Loch Lomond, which claimed two lives, highlighte

Daniel Grimsdell, Regional Account Manager (Trade) at FireAngel, explores why testing, commissioning, and a thorough handover are essential in delivering fully compliant domestic fire alarm systems. When it comes to domestic fire detection and alarm systems, compliance is often considered complete once devices are installed. But as any experienced specifier knows, genuine compliance extends far beyond simply fitting alarms to walls or ceilings. It’s an ongoing process that in

Passive fire protection specialist Promat has won a series of leading industry awards for its work to drive up awareness of testing standards and the correct application of protection for structural steel.             Promat was named as the winner of two prestigious Construction Marketing Award’s (CMA’s) for ‘Best Mid-Range Budget Campaign’ and ‘Best Go-To-Market (GTM)’ in collaboration with marketing and PR agency Lesniak Swann, in addition to taking a gold award in The Dru

Etex Building Performance has seen the number of staff holding the IFE level 3 in Passive Fire Protection increase by a third following the latest exam results as it continues its competency drive. A further eight employees have now passed the exam, taking the number of staff holding the qualification to 37 at drywall manufacturer Siniat and passive fire protection specialist Promat, both part of Etex Building Performance. The highest industry-recognised qualification for pas

Passive fire protection specialist Promat has published a whitepaper examining the most effective way to protect structural steel from fire. Structural steel needs to be protected against the threat of fire to ensure structural integrity is maintained if exposed to high temperatures. With both fire protection board systems and specialist intumescent paint used to protect structural steel, the whitepaper looks at which system offers the most comprehensive protection, and in wh

Peter Barker, Technical Policy Manager at Element Materials Technology, explains what this change means in practical terms for those specifying, assessing or installing fire-tested products. In September 2024, the UK Government confirmed the withdrawal of the National Classes fire testing standards from Approved Document B, signalling a formal shift towards the EN 13501 series of European classification standards.  The publication of BS 476 in 1932 established a framework for