Loft conversions are a popular way to add extra space and value to your home, but when you build upwards, fire safety becomes even more critical. One of the most common questions during planning is:“Do I need a fire alarm or smoke detector in the loft?” The short answer is: yes, in almost all cases. […]
Tag Archives: Fire Protection
When most people think about fire alarm coverage, they picture detectors in corridors, call points by exits, and sounders in busy rooms. But one space is often forgotten, the toilets. It might seem minor, but if your fire alarm can’t be heard clearly in the toilets, it could pose a serious risk to life. In […]
Fire doors are a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection system, designed to contain fire and smoke, protect escape routes, and ultimately save lives. But for a fire door to do its job, it must close fully and securely every time. If it doesn’t self-close properly, that protection is compromised. In this blog, […]
Intumescent seals play a vital role in passive fire protection, particularly around fire doors. These seals are designed to expand under heat, filling gaps to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. However, many building owners, caretakers, and decorators don’t realise that something as simple as a fresh coat of paint could render them ineffective. […]
When it comes to fire safety, the devil is often in the details, and few details are overlooked as frequently as the fire stopping around pipes, cables, and conduits. While buildings are designed with passive fire protection measures like compartmentation and fire-resistant walls, these defences can be quietly compromised during routine works such as installing […]
When inspecting a fire door or its frame, you may come across a label or certificate referencing BS EN 1364. But what does this standard actually mean, and how does it relate to the performance and legal compliance of your fire doors? In this post, we’ll break down what BS EN 1364 covers, how it […]
Suspended ceilings are a common feature in offices, schools, hospitals, and retail buildings across the UK. They hide ductwork, lighting, and cabling, offering a clean, finished appearance. But behind those ceiling tiles lies a potentially serious fire safety issue that many property managers and contractors overlook: fire-stopping in the ceiling void. If not properly inspected […]
In the event of a fire, smoke is often a greater threat to life than flames themselves. That’s why many buildings in the UK are fitted with Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs): systems designed to help control the movement of smoke and hot gases, keeping escape routes clearer for longer. But when exactly does a building […]
In many buildings across the UK, people assume that internal walls, especially stud partitions, automatically offer some degree of fire resistance. But in reality, this is a dangerous assumption. Not all walls are designed to resist fire, and unless they’ve been constructed and tested to a recognised standard, they may fail quickly during a blaze. […]
When it comes to fire protection, prevention is always better than cure. But what happens when the building is already finished, walls plastered, ceilings boarded, tenants moved in, and someone discovers that passive fire protection is missing or inadequate? This is where retrofit fire stopping comes in. Whether you’re dealing with a listed building, a […]