Latest innovations and products in the Fire, Security and Safety sections of the construction industry.

Stark Warning about Tearing up the Red Tape

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  Peter Apps, Investigative Journalist

Grenfell commentator issues stark warning to M&E sector practitioners

 

Peter Apps, the investigative journalist who raised concerns about combustible cladding and high-rise buildings before the Grenfell Tower fire occurred – has warned the building services sector not to ignore new building safety regulations in the face of growing frustrations over project delays and rising costs.

 

During his keynote address to the organisation’s Annual Conference hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Apps described the Building Safety Act 2022 as “unwieldy” and suggested that there have been widespread reports of projects being held up by new planning restrictions.

“People are finding the new regulations frustrating,” asserted Apps. “[They say] ‘Why can’t we just get on and build?’… but there are long-term consequences if you do that,” he told the assembled audience. “Every change and every decision affects someone somewhere.”

Further, Apps stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s promise to “back builders, not blockers” by tearing up “red tape” is concerning because of its implications for the new safety regime.

Apps, whose book about the Grenfell disaster entitled ‘Show Me The Bodies’ won the 2023 Orwell Prize for Political Writing, warned attendees at the BESA Annual Conference that there will always be people “who just want to make money out of you” and are prepared to ignore safety warnings. “Beneath the surface, there’s a lot of work that isn’t changing.”

‘Swiss cheese’ model
According to Apps, the industry continues to rely on the ‘Swiss cheese’ model, which involves multiple safety layers, but each one has holes in it and project teams simply hope that one will prevent a fire from spreading.

“We cannot keep relying on luck,” urged Apps. “We are still counting a lot of near misses, while the world is becoming hotter, which inevitably means there will be more building fires,”

Apps added that there’s a chance buildings will become less safe with the wider adoption of modern methods of construction and lightweight structures. That said, he informed conference that construction is “a great industry” and people working within its boundaries now have the opportunity to reform it “by ensuring every building we work on is safe”.

Apps added a note of caution.

“We all need to be brave and ask the difficult questions that were not asked before the Grenfell fire. There are people who were involved in that refurbishment project who would give anything to go back and do it again [properly]. Their lives are now consumed by it. Don’t let that happen to you.”

Wide-ranging debate

Following on from his keynote address, Apps took part in a wide-ranging debate on the impact of the legislation with members of BESA’s Building Safety Act 2022 Advisory Group. The session identified considerable confusion among contractors about their specific responsibilities, not to mention a somewhat worrying lack of engagement from clients.

Contractors also said they felt under pressure to provide better evidence of their organisational competence and compliance with the new safety regime and also to ensure their engineers are technically competent. While many reported that they are firmly “on the journey” towards attaining that particular goal, they voiced the view that more specific guidance and support is needed.

 

Source: Fire Safety Matters

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Combating High Risk Wildfires

Wildfires pose significant threats worldwide, impacting ecosystems and communities and exacerbating climate change. The combination of climate change, dry conditions and human actions has led to more frequent and intense fire seasons, with 2024 seeing wildfires spread across Southern Europe, the US and South America.

To address this challenge, Bath-based fire detection company and SETsquared Bristol alumnus Optect has teamed up with Sonic Fire Tech to develop a groundbreaking solution which combines advanced robot systems with entirely new detection and suppression technologies.

The approach has seen the team advance to the final 30 in the Autonomous Wildfire Response category of the prestigious $11m XPRIZE WILDFIRE competition.

This global technology competition challenges teams to autonomously detect high-risk fires in a 1,000km² environmentally challenging area and suppress them within 10 minutes, leaving decoy fires untouched.

Team Optect’s solution deploys the use of drones to spot fires from high in the sky and flying robot taxis that deploy fire-extinguishing robo-dogs to zap flames with sound waves.

Infrasound wildfire suppression sounds futuristic but is now on the cusp of reality. Sonic Fire Tech recently showed its device extinguishing high-temperature wood fires in seconds from several feet away. The technology is powerful and scalable, which are essential features for taking on massive megafires.

Geoff Bruder, an ex-NASA engineer and developer of the sonic fire suppression method, says:

“Our technology can continuously suppress fires for as long as battery power is available without any refuelling or resupply, a potential game-changer for remote area fire suppression.”

Optect has also made significant strides with the recent launch of a new flame detection product boasting 5-10 times the range of current devices. With the help of SETsquared, the company has grown its customer base and is now poised to reduce fire risk significantly across various wildfire and industrial applications.

Matthias Jaeger, Chief Technical Officer, Optect, comments:

“The challenge, as with many XPRIZE competitions, is set close to the limit of possible, and in response, we’re pushing technology to the limits too.

“To pull off a live demo within the project’s timeline will be an extraordinary achievement, but the team is making substantial headway. Technology milestones are being conquered on a regular basis. We’re honoured to advance to the next round of XPRIZE and look forward to demonstrating our solution in a real-world environment in 2025.”

As wildfires contribute to up to 20% of global carbon emissions and their severity increases, deploying the most innovative technology to combat this issue is crucial.

For more information, visit: www.optect.com/wildfirecompetition

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FULLY CERTIFIED LONDON FIRE BRIGADE LOCKS AVAILABLE FROM ZOO

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Leading door hardware specialist Zoo Hardware has introduced a new range of London Fire Brigade locks, for use on doors and cupboards where emergency access is required by use of the common London Fire Brigade key.

Now regularly used beyond a firefighting context, London Fire Brigade locks have become a more universal solution, serving as a convenient deadlock for homes and offices. The Zoo London Fire Brigade locks ensure seamless security for shared keys used in a diverse range of environments, from service riser doors, meter cupboards and communal entrances in residential complexes to car park barriers, bin stores and entrances to public buildings.

UKCA, CE and CERTIFIRE approved, the Zoo Fire Brigade locks have been successfully tested in accordance with the requirements of BS EN1634-1. They are suitable for use on 30 and 60 minute fire-rated timber doors, using Flexifire graphite-based intumescents.

The deadbolts are manufactured from solid brass for added strength and security, and lock keys can be operated from both sides to lock and unlock the deadbolt. The locks are available in both square and radius forends, with a backset of 51.5mm. Supplied in a polished stainless steel finish, additional finishes are coming soon, including polished brass, satin brass, black and bronze.

Commenting on the range, Jason Tonks Reg AI, Technical Product, Certification and Compliance Manager at Zoo Hardware, said:

“The ambitious Zoo team has once again applied its technical expertise to the development of this new range, bringing a fully certified option to the market, with healthy stock levels to meet the growing demand for London Fire Brigade Locks.”

 

Zoo Hardware’s comprehensive portfolio of architectural door hardware spans levers, hinges, cylinders and door closers including its new electro-magnetic devices, all of which are available in a range of distinctive and durable finishes to assist professionals in meeting the specific requirements of every project.

For more information on Zoo Hardware and its portfolio of architectural door hardware

call 01228 672900

WEBSITE

 

 

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Yale Expede Window Bracket reduces site times

 

Yale has launched an innovative new window bracket which can reduce housebuilding programmes dramatically. It allows fully glazed windows to be installed into external timber wall panels and delivered flat to the building site.

 

The patented Yale Expede Window Bracket allows fabricators to fit fully glazed windows straight into the external timber wall panels at the factory during the production process. This saves time and money, provides a consistent factory finish and creates significant savings for housebuilders.

 

Time savings and increased sales revenue

 

The bracket offers increased productivity and a faster installation once the timber panels have been erected on site as the window is simply pushed out to the required distance and the final fix inserted to permanently hold in this position. Both internal and external trades can start immediately, as the build will be watertight within one day. This can reduce the overall programme by approximately three weeks, as well as reducing site costs.

 

Increased safety

 

Paul Atkinson, Managing Director at Yale, comments:

“For housebuilders, time is money, and our bracket speeds up the entire build programme and of course window installation. With the fully glazed window in place, wet trades can get onsite earlier, and buildings are more secure from the outset. It also reduces the risk of accidents linked to manual handling and working at heights.

“As the building is secured immediately when the timber frame is constructed, it reduces the risk of theft and fire and may also reduce site insurance costs. It’s no wonder housebuilders are eagerly awaiting this new product.”

Sustainability

 

Timber can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of a new build. Of all the main building materials, it is the most environmentally friendly, as it has the lowest energy consumption and the lowest carbon dioxide emissions.

 

As the window is transported while being protected within the external timber wall panel itself, it takes up no additional space on the lorry. This means fewer miles clocked up in transit and less traffic on site. It also means there is a reduced risk of damage to the window, reducing waste.

 

Manufactured and tested in the UK, the Yale Expede window bracket has been subjected to loading in excess of 200kg in the open position for over 72 hours and corrosion testing up to 240 hours. It is available in 50mm and 75mm variants and is covered by Yale’s Lifetime Guarantee.

 

CLICK HERE for further information on the Yale window bracket

 

or call +44 (0)1902 366800

 

 

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Accident Video that went Viral acts as a Safety Warning

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Fencing Contractor Whose Accident Went Viral Partners with LSBUD for Safety Awareness Video

Fencing contractor, Elliott, who went viral in June 2022 when his post knocker hit an underground gas pipeline on a farm in Derbyshire, has joined forces with safe digging experts LSBUD and Linewatch on a brand-new safety awareness video.

The safety campaign focuses on Elliott’s experience of striking the pipeline, it recounts the moments after the explosion and looks at what he would do differently if he had the chance to do so. The video explores the unseen dangers lurking beneath the ground, when breaking ground as part of construction, highways, utility, farming or fencing work. It also looks at the perils of digging ‘blind’ and explains some best practices people must follow to avoid damage to the environment, serious injury, or even death.

 

Elliott comments: “The video is hard-hitting. It is the first time I have discussed the incident, and it is tough to bring it back up. For a few seconds I simply thought that my time was up, and I was more than incredibly lucky to walk away with not so much as a scratch on me. After I recovered from the initial shock, my only thought was, ‘I don’t want anyone else going through this’.

“That’s why when the people at LSBUD and Linewatch approached me to talk about my accident, I jumped at the chance. If I could use this unwanted ‘fame’ as a way to make people safer then at least something good could come out of it. I want to make sure that anyone out there thinking of putting a hole in the ground, no matter if it is knocking in a fencing post, planting a tree, or taking on a major construction project, then they should always search before they start work.”

 

Richard Broome, MD at LSBUD, continues: “Often in our world of work, it is only the serious incidents that really capture the nation’s attention. Fortunately, Elliott was largely unharmed, but his video has been seen by millions of people around the world, putting the potential dangers of digging into the spotlight. Rather than shy away from the incident, Elliott wanted to spread the safe digging message, helping keep other people safe on site. It is a brave and honourable approach, and one that will benefit many projects, potentially saving many lives.”

 

CLICK HERE to watch the Explosion Safety video

For more information about Linewatch visit www.linewatch.org.uk
To understand more about LSBUD, visit https://lsbud.co.uk/

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PROVING PERFORMANCE AS PART OF THE BRICK SLIP SYSTEM BS 8414-2 TEST

SIDERISE CAVITY BARRIERS PROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE AS PART OF BRICK SLIP SYSTEM BS 8414-2 TEST

Siderise RH Cavity Barriers have proven their passive fire protection capabilities as part of a ventilated facade system again— this time as part of a brick slip façade system which successfully met the requirements of BR 135 when tested to BS 8414-2.

BS 8414-2 is a 60-minute large scale system test that mimics a fire breaking out of a window and exposing a cladding system to a severe fire. The test was conducted independently by international consultants Thomas Bell-Wright and comprised a 28mm Ash & Lacy’s MechSlip Brick Cladding System, combined with stonewool insulation slabs, and Siderise RH25 and RH50 cavity barriers used horizontally and vertically with associated galvanised steel brackets. The system was fixed to a steel framing system and the result only applies to this configuration.

Siderise RH Cavity Barriers are a partial-fill product made from a compressed stonewool lamella core, incorporating a continuous bonded intumescent strip along the leading edge. This allows for the free ventilation and drainage necessary for a ventilated facade; however, when exposed to the heat of a fire, the intumescent strip will rapidly expand to fully seal the gap and protect the facade system from fire spread.

Siderise is committed to third-party testing all its products. It is a strong advocate of large-scale fire tests, which are invaluable to understanding how a whole facade system­— including its cavity barriers and firestops—performs in a realistic application.

 

For more information on passive fire protection and testing, please

CLICK HERE

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ADSA’s tunes up Quartet for Business Support

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The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has launched Quartet – a new initiative to provide member support across four essential services: HR, legal, health and safety and tax.

 

The service, delivered in partnership with Quest, includes an online library with more than 450 templates, documents and advice sheets and an advice line for direct contact

It is available to all ADSA members – from major manufacturers to sole traders – but should prove particularly helpful to support smaller businesses without dedicated in-house teams.

 

It will help them to:

 

  • manage problems – such as disciplinary issues, disability requirements, grievance procedures, redundancy/dismissal/pay/capability issues and long-term sickness
  • get answers – to workplace changes such as hybrid working and sick pay
  • stay compliant – on contracts of employment, employee handbooks, understanding responsibilities and changes to legislation
  • support staff – around working practice, maternity, paternity, leave and training

 

By including Quartet as an additional member benefit, ADSA hopes that it will help businesses save money – reducing outsourcing costs and delivering peace of mind.

Said ADSA managing director Ken Price: “ADSA membership is great value and this service is a further enhancement to what we offer. We have a range of member organisations from big manufacturers and distributors to micro companies and sole traders.

“Although all our members will be able to access Quartet, we believe that it will be particularly beneficial for smaller companies which have to manage all aspects of business alongside their core service. We hope that it will present a cost-effective solution at a time when business overheads are increasing. It will also provide a service that can be called upon immediately – help at the end of a phone or touch of a button.”

 

 

ADSA member Kevin Treharne, sales director of Entec Access Systems Limited, said: “Entec has been a ADSA member for many years and we have always found enormous benefit in its services. It has always been the ‘go-to’ organisation for technical expertise and training. This new initiative opens-up a much wider range of services that will be of enormous benefit in supporting wider business operations.”

 

For more information on ADSA membership contact:

rachel@adsa.org.uk or visit: www.adsa.org.uk

 

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Failure of Competency in Fire Testing

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The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has committed to fighting for the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to be renationalised.

The commitment came in the form of a motion passed at the union’s annual conference, the first in-person conference since the pandemic. In the union’s view, BRE’s private ownership has led to failures of competency, and BRE going too far to please the corporate clients whose products it tested and whom it relied on for income.

The BRE is involved in the testing and certification of materials for the construction industry. It was responsible for testing several of the key materials used in Grenfell Tower’s refurbishment, including cladding and insulation materials, and fire safety tests. BRE was privatised in 1997, and continues to test building materials as a private company today.

In the motion the union describes this privatisation as a “disastrous decision, opening the testing regime to commercial pressures and commercial interests”, and says that renationalisation would “ensure greater accountability, including a clear obligation to act in the public interest and without pressure from business and commercial interest”.

In its submissions to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the union has previously expressed the view that errors and oversights at the BRE contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire, and that BRE testing allowed manufacturing companies to persuade others that their products were regulation-compliant and that these errors and oversights were caused at least in part by the BRE being privately owned.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Building Research Establishment private ownership has been a complete disaster. Corners have been cut and building safety compromised as the BRE bowed down to the building material companies which pay its wages. There is even information that suggests that BRE failures may have had a role in Grenfell. It’s time to end this utter mess now.”

The conference motion specified that ‘Oversight of this restored public testing and research facility should be by a board, representative of tenants and residents, local and national government, trade unions representing workers in Fire and Rescue Services and the construction industry’.

 

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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MORE POWER, MORE CONNECTIVITY

GEZE have completely upgraded their control panels for smoke and heat extraction systems. Control units are the brain and the power supply of the smoke and heat extraction systems in a building.

 

The new THZ N4 and THZ Comfort replace the previous versions and offer a more powerful power supply, increased connectivity and easier installation.

In addition to extracting smoke from staircases the THZ N4 and THZ Comfort can also be used for smaller smoke and heat extraction systems such as a foyer and are suitable for use on new buildings and retrofitting. In large event venues with smoke extraction installed in the roof or with a machine smoke extraction system the THZ N4 is particularly suited for operating fresh air drives such as GEZE’s RWA K 600.

Both versions have received a hardware and capability upgrade; the more powerful power supply enables an increased output of 4.5A from the 3.4A in previous models which broadens the panel’s specification possibilities and allows more drives to be connected.

The motor line connection has also been upgraded to a spring level motor terminal to allow for easier installation and both can now be interfaced with the GEZE ST 220 service terminal for quick and easy commissioning.

Both control panels have a compact and attractive design; the THZ N4 has a plastic housing in white whilst the THZ Comfort has a robust metal housing in orange.

Andy Iredale, National Sales Manager for Automatic Doors and Window Control, said “These new control units offer even more options for smoke and heat extraction as more drives can be connected due to the more powerful power supply which in turn allows more options on where they can be used’”

To find out more about the THZ N4 or THZ Comfort visit GEZE’s website

or for a brochure email info.uk@geze.com

For more information on GEZE’s comprehensive range of door and window control products visit www.geze.co.uk       

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Focusing on Fire Safety

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GEZE UK has revised a piece of lifesaving learning – the popular RIBA-approved CPD Specifying, Installing and Maintaining Ironmongery for Fire Doors has been completely revised and updated and includes new visuals and updates to regulations all in GEZE’s new branding.

 

The CPD explains what fire doors are, identifies their various components, how they work, the standards and regulations which surround them and why smoke is so dangerous. It incorporates the latest statistics for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the number of people that die from smoke inhalation every year.

It is intended for Chartered members of RIBA but is also suitable for facilities managers, property managers and architectural ironmongers and completely updates the previous version.

Offering architects and specifiers invaluable advice and guidance, which contributes to their continuing professional development, this updated training seminar gives a better understanding of the standards and regulations surrounding fire doors to ensure fire safety is paramount.

 The 40 minute seminar covers all the relevant standards and regulations and is included in RIBA’s core curriculum: Design, Construction and Technology and Health, Safety and Wellbeing for the General Awareness knowledge level.

It can be presented in person or virtually via a variety of online platforms and at a time to suit, usually lunchtime but breakfast seminars or afternoon sessions can be accommodated.

To find out more or to book a CPD seminar, email cpd@geze.com or visit https://www.geze.co.uk/en/services/trainings-and-seminars-cpd.

National Specification Manager Richard Richardson-Derry said: “More people die from smoke inhalation than fire itself, especially when smoke can travel freely through a building. This seminar explains how important fire doors are and how they can save lives.

Understanding the effectiveness of fire doors, where they can be placed and how they should be maintained, could ultimately save people’s lives.”

RIBA Chartered Architects are obliged to undertake a minimum of 35 hours a week to maintain their competence: https://www.architecture.com/education-cpd-and-careers/cpd/fulfilling-your-cpd-obligations

Other presentations offered by GEZE UK, include EN 16005 – Safeguarding Pedestrians from Accidents at Power Operated Doorsets; Designing Effective Natural Heat and Smoke Ventilation, and Removing Barriers to Access.

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

 

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