Category Archives: Fire News

Intumescent Coating Thickness: Why It Matters and How It’s Measured

firefighters wearing fire fighter suit for safety and using twirl water extinguisher for fighting the fire flame in emergency situation

Understanding Dry Film Thickness (DFT) in Passive Fire Protection When applied correctly, intumescent coatings provide vital protection to structural steel and other materials during a fire. These coatings expand when exposed to high heat, forming a char that insulates the substrate and helps delay collapse. However, the effectiveness of an intumescent coating depends heavily on […]

Tenant Fire Safety: What Landlords Are Required to Tell Residents

Close-up of firefighter extinguishing fire in building

Your Responsibilities Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 If you’re a landlord or managing agent of a residential building in England, you have a legal duty to ensure your tenants are aware of fire safety arrangements in their building. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which came into effect on 23 January 2023, introduced […]

Can You Paint Over Intumescent Coating?

Person painting a wall

Do’s and Don’ts for Maintaining Fire Protection and Compliance Intumescent coatings play a critical role in passive fire protection—particularly in buildings where structural steel or timber elements are exposed. These coatings are designed to expand when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating char that helps delay structural failure during a fire. But what happens […]

Are Your Fire Safety Systems Fit for an HMO?

Fireman climbing through the window of a burning building

A Landlord’s Guide to Compliance and Protection As a landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you carry added responsibility for the safety of your tenants. Because HMOs involve shared living spaces, the risk of fire is often greater than in single-family homes. This makes it essential that your fire safety systems aren’t just […]

What’s the Difference Between a Fire Alarm Test and a Fire Alarm Service?

Fire alarm switch on the wall in factory

If you manage a business, rental property, or public building in the UK, keeping your fire alarm system in good working order isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. However, many people confuse fire alarm testing with fire alarm servicing. While both are essential to ensuring your fire alarm […]

Can You Do Your Own Fire Risk Assessment? Pros, Cons, and Legal Considerations

A worker checking a fire extinguisher safety inspection checklist in an industrial setting to ensure fire safety compliance.

If you run a business or manage property in the UK, you’ll already know that fire safety is a legal responsibility. Central to this responsibility is the requirement to carry out a fire risk assessment. But do you need to hire a professional to conduct one, or can you do it yourself? The short answer […]

The Lifecycle of Intumescent Seals: When to Inspect and Replace

Fire exit door for emergency case.

Intumescent seals are a vital component of a building’s passive fire protection strategy, playing a key role in compartmentation and helping to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Found around fire doors and sometimes windows, these seals expand when exposed to high temperatures, filling gaps and maintaining the fire-resistant barrier of walls, floors, and […]

How Fire Alarm Zones Work: Why Zoning Matters in Large Premises

Smoke alarm in a modern building

In large commercial or multi-storey buildings, a fire alarm system is more than just a warning device—it’s a vital tool for identifying where a fire has started, ensuring a safe evacuation, and helping emergency services respond quickly. One of the key features of a well-designed fire alarm system in larger or more complex buildings is […]

Do You Need an Automatic Fire Suppression System?

Fire sprinkler. Automatic fire extinguishing system in office

Exploring Water Mist, Gas Suppression, and Sprinklers for Different Sectors Fire safety is a legal requirement for businesses across the UK, and as regulations tighten, many organisations are investing in automatic fire suppression systems to enhance protection. While traditional manual methods, such as portable extinguishers, are still important, automatic suppression systems provide a fast, reliable, […]