In the six years since the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster, the construction industry's approach to fire safety has faced rigorous examination, and sparked a series of legislative changes, most notably the enactment of the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act of 2022. These measures have substantially raised standards, contributing to a safer overall industry.
As we approach the year’s end, assessing the industry's progress and its trajectory becomes a crucial endeavor, especially considering the potential impact on the safety of our built environment and people’s lives. To gain insights into this, we have spoken with industry professionals, each providing a unique perspective on what they anticipate 2024 will bring.
Risk management practices
Ian King, COO, Zeroignition: “2023 has seen major developments in terms of addressing the gaps within fire safety. Added responsibilities for RPs (Responsible Person) has been a wake-up call and stricter requirements around the recording and sharing of fire safety information will go a long way to achieving the much-discussed, Golden Thread. The introduction of planning gateway one is another positive stride towards elevating building safety standards and refining risk management practices. But the recent much publicised fire on a construction site in Reading shows there’s a way to go.”
2023 has seen major developments in terms of addressing the gaps within fire safety"
"Looking ahead to 2024, there's promising emphasis on the use of wood in UK construction projects. As staunch advocates of timber construction, we hope this trend continues and recognize that when followed diligently, fire protection protocols around such structures can match the safety levels of other materials.”
Quality control measures
“Timber also facilitates faster, lower-carbon builds and boosts off-site construction. Modular construction, with its stringent quality control measures, stands out as a game-changer for future projects.”
“It is my hope that regulatory reforms persist next year, particularly around increased investment into third-party testing facilities and product certifications. A focused effort on this area will help create a safer building product market and encourage a ‘safety first’ mindset. Let’s set our sights on combining safety with sustainability, for a better future for all.”
Fire safety awareness
Specifiers want acoustic products that go above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirements"
Ben Hancock, Managing Director, Oscar Acoustics: “Updates to fire safety regulations in 2023 have brought a renewed focus on the safety and compliance of working environments, particularly within office spaces. As a result, companies want proof that products can perform and requests for third-party certifications are increasingly common.”
“We've also seen a sharp rise in fire safety awareness and knowledge. Specifiers want acoustic products that go above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirements, as the ideal is to produce little to no smoke and no droplets, supporting the safe escape of occupants. As fire safety strategies continue to evolve and safeguarding measures become paramount, we expect more relevant testing to be requested, as product fire performance can differ wildly between light and dark colours or thin and thicker applications.”
Fire safety information
Rob Norton, UK Director, PlanRadar: “2023 was a year of much-needed legislation change, increasing the accountability of RPs and laying the foundations for watertight fire safety protocols. It was the push the sector needed.”
The golden thread will also continue to dominate workflows, and many businesses will increase investment"
“Moving into 2024, I predict an increasing reliance on digital tools and platforms as the industry looks to improve the speed and accuracy of fire safety processes. In particular, the stringent management of fire safety information and record-keeping. Efficiency will also be key, as fire-safety procedures become embedded companies will want to find ways of recording and sharing information more easily, be it between internal teams or those outside of their organisation.”
“The golden thread will also continue to dominate workflows, and many businesses will increase investment in digital technologies and systems to ensure industry compliance. Going further, I hope to see further collaboration in construction’s approach to fire-safety, bringing greater consistency and quality to fire-safety checks and strategies.”
Fire test evidence
Peter Long, Divisional Fire & Certification Director, Optima Systems: “The past year has highlighted some continuing issues around fire safety; mainly that the design process and strategies towards it are often not given enough time to allow proper coordination. When faced with quick turnarounds, it’s difficult to ensure specified products have appropriate fire test evidence and their performance credentials replicate real-life application. Working in this way leaves space for mistakes and misspecification.”
The past year has highlighted some continuing issues around fire safety"
“Going into the new year, I’d like to see increased collaboration between all parties involved in the supply chain. It’s time for the industry to tackle fire safety projects in a holistic way, rather than the current siloed approach where construction products are specified and procured individually and without proper consideration for their direct interfaces.”
Assured fire safety
“As a manufacturer of fire-rated steel-framed glass partitions, Optima is spearheading this initiative, going above and beyond what’s required when it comes to publishing fire-test evidence. It’s not possible to achieve assured fire safety if manufacturers, designers, specifiers and architects do not share information or recognise its importance.”
“We must also ensure that each party understands the latest regulations and guidance, making sure fire safety is considered every step of the way. In the coming years we must explore ways to standardise levels of competency within the industry, starting with better training on products and systems as well as tools that improve communication.”