Early involvement of a Client Representing Fire Engineer helps provide insights into fire safety risks and strategies. It ensures that fire safety requirements are integrated into the project from the start, avoiding unnecessary alterations and rework at a later stage. We work with you, the project team, and other stakeholders to get the project from concept to clearly outlined brief and specification, ready to tackle the next stage of development.

✓ Regulatory Guidance: clear and actionable advice to what regulations need to be met

✓ Fire Strategy - Development (concept and intent)

✓ Feasibility study

✓ Project brief

✓ Technical or performance specification to define design requirements

✓ Scope of services for project suppliers

The key goal of the project design stage is to mature the design, ready for approval and build. As an authorised Client Fire Engineer, we collaborate with your designers to review, guide, and deliver detailed designs and a Fire Strategy that complies with Building Regulations. This ensures a successful Building Control application and a smooth handover to the contractor for installation.

✓ Qualitative Design Review - QDR

✓ Stakeholder consultation workshops - SCW

✓ Fire safety drawings

✓ Engineering analysis

✓ Fire and evacuation modelling - CFD

✓ Code compliance checks

✓ Fire Safety Statements (incl. Policy D12 of the London Plan.)

✓ Fire Strategy Report - Planning (ready for Building Control submission)

We work closely with contracting teams and stakeholders during construction to ensure on-site fire safety and adherence to the intended design. At handover, we verify that everything operates as expected and check that handover documentation is sufficient. During construction and handover, our goal is to support you with technical queries, instill confidence in project compliance, and ensure you have suitable and sufficient Regulation 38 packs for the effective operation of fire safety measures post-installation.

✓ Construction support

• Technical support

• Stakeholder coordination and alignment

• Quality and compliance monitoring: assuring quality of workmanship and materials

✓ Handover support and quality assurance

• Witness testing

• Regulation 38 packs: review and approval for compliance and sufficiency in line with The Golden Thread Principle

Existing buildings that require alteration or extension need to comply with Part B(Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations. The project follows the same process as the new building, from planning and design to construction and handover, according to the RIBA stages of work (GRIP/PACE in rail). The Regulation 38 pack gives a responsible person a suitable and sufficient understanding of the building design and the way fire safety measures were implemented. It aids effective fire risk management in the building.

When the documentation for an existing building’s Fire Strategy is not available, it poses significant challenges. It becomes hard to understand how the building was engineered to handle fire, what is the current condition of fire safety measures, and assess your fire risks. This includes fire compartmentation, evacuation strategy, fire systems, and materials within the building. Addressing this issue is crucial for the safety of your building.

We can support you with the following services:

✓ Code Compliance Checks - identifying discrepancies between Approved Document B and your building's design

✓ Compartmentation Survey

✓ Retrospective Fire Strategy

A Retrospective Fire Strategy assesses how an existing building initially met fire safety requirements during its construction according to the Building Regulations.

Key Benefits of Retrospective Fire Strategy:

01 Reflecting Current Use and Construction:
A retrospective strategy considers the building’s current purpose, layout, and any modifications made.
It ensures fire safety measures align with the building’s present function and occupancy.

02 Listing Fire Safety Measures:
The strategy compiles a detailed inventory of existing fire safety features.

03 Creating Basis for Risk Assessments:
By documenting safety measures, the strategy provides a clear foundation for risk assessments. It helps identify vulnerabilities and prioritise necessary improvements.

When creating Retrospective Fire strategies, we focus on straightforward and pragmatic solutions that prioritise the safety of people and property. This can involve using engineered approaches beyond standard guidelines.

Compartmentation is critical in preventing the rapid spread of fire and smoke within a building. Creating fire-resistant barriers allows occupants to escape safely and minimizes damage caused by fire incidents.

Key Benefits of a Compartmentation Survey:

01 Understanding Design and Location: A survey helps you grasp the layout and positioning of compartments within the building.

02 Assessing Compartment Condition: It evaluates the current state of compartmentation, identifying any weaknesses or breaches.

03 Risk Management: By recognizing potential risks, you can proactively enhance safety. This might involve adjusting fire safety protocols or implementing practical engineering solutions that balance protection with budget considerations.