Fire Safety Engineering

Fire safety Engineering is the application of scientific and engineering
principles, and expert judgment, base on an understanding of the effects of fire and of the reaction and behaviour of people to fire, to protect people, property and the environment from the effects of fire.

A Fire Safety Engineer is typically employed to ensure that a building
design achieves the functional requirements of fire safety legislation or other fire safety objectives whilst not impacting on the architects’
vision. This is typically achieved by working with the design team
throughout the RIBA Stages and developing a Fire Strategy. The Fire
Strategy is used to gain approval from Building Control Bodies (BCB) and Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) and becomes the fire safety ‘blueprint’ that will be referred to through the building lifecycle.

Design Notes & Holistic Assessments

Design Notes are drafted with the aim to review and evaluate the functional requirements of B4 of The Building Regulations 2010 for the matters associated with the external wall construction, and with this, identify how these findings impact on the safety of occupants, fire-fighters and adjoining buildings in terms of fire safety.

The outcome of the review generally substantiates the level of risk associated with the building and if it complies with Building Regulations.

Furthermore, a holistic review is carried out using a fire engineering methodology in conjunction with professional judgement.

The fire engineering methodology is supported by BS 7974 and where appropriate, the framework and parameters are utilised.

Fire and Smoke Modelling

Fire and smoke modelling is an important tool used in fire engineering to evaluate a performance based design or specific fire safety objectives. By using the most advanced computer modelling software, we can present a clear and substantiated case for a more creative approach to fire design.

We use both Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Zone Modelling software such as Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) and CFAST. This software allows us to create a three-dimensional representation of your building and assess key parameters such as; fire spread, smoke movement, temperature, velocity and radiation to demonstrate how a fire strategy would work in practice. Theses parameters are translated into risk and assessed in terms of fire safety objectives.

Facade Consultation

The level of support and services we offer in relation to facades are stated as follows; 

• Intrusive surveys of facade systems;

• Facade reviews in-line with applicable guidances documents and advise on any improvement works required;

• Arranging for physical testing at UKAS accredited test facilities to determine the combustibility rating of claddings; 
• Review of Cavity barrier and Fire Stopping installation and compliance;
• Assistance with façade remediation strategy to replace ACM or non-complaint systems;
• Façade remedial specification, drawings reviews and assistance; 
• Assistance with façade contractor selection;
• Audit of façade contractors remediation proposals; 
• Site monitoring throughout remediation installation to replace ACM cladding; and

• Carry out occupancy strategies and risk assessments which would allow works to progress whilst the residents remained in place, based on an agreed & informed risk.

Fire Risk Management

Fire Risk Management is imperative to the safety of people, property and the environment. To comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all commercial premises should have a Fire Risk Management Plan. A Fire Risk Management Plan should be a live document, simplistic to the end user and explain who, what and when in relation to statutory legal obligations.

PAS 7 provides a fire risk management system that can be applied in;

• Organisations that operate on multiple sites;
• Separate management divisions within an organisation; and
• Individual premises within a single organisation.

A Fire Risk Management Plan would typically include; Fire Safety Policy, Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Safety Training, Evacuation Plan andEmergency Planning.

Third Party Reviewing

Third party reviewing is a form of providing professional due diligence and is typically carried out in the following cases;

• Complex projects that involve numerical equations or CFD modelling.
• Where a Building Control Body or Fire Authority do not have the in-house knowledge or experience to understand a fire engineering methodology.
• Where a Design Team is uncertain about a fire consultant’s work and require a second professional opinion.
• Where a lender or surveyor is assessing a property for a acquisition and requires an accurate assessment of the fire safety standards within the property to ascertain potential financial cost with the proposed property.

As an independent fire engineering practice, we are well placed to provide third party reviewing.