Tag Archives: Fire Safety

Maintaining Fire Safety in Mixed-Use Buildings (Shops with Flats Above)

firefighters silhouettes on fire background

Understanding Responsibilities and Reducing Risk in Combined Residential and Commercial Properties Mixed-use buildings—such as high street shops with flats above—are a common feature across the UK. While convenient and space-efficient, these buildings can pose significant fire safety challenges due to the combination of commercial and residential activities under one roof. If you own, manage or […]

Fire Safety Compliance for Airbnb’s and Short-Term Lets

smoke detector fire alarm detector home safety device setup at home hotel room ceiling

What You Need to Know as a Holiday Rental Host in the UK Whether you rent out a spare room or manage several short-term holiday properties, as an Airbnb or short-let host in the UK, you’re legally responsible for the safety of your guests—including when it comes to fire protection. Fire safety laws apply even […]

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 […]

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 […]

Understanding the Different Classes of Fires and How to Tackle Them Safely

Burning building in thick smoke

Fire safety is a crucial aspect of protecting homes, businesses, and public spaces. In the UK, fires are categorised into five different classes, each based on the type of material burning. Understanding these fire classes is essential for choosing the correct fire extinguisher, ensuring compliance with UK fire safety regulations, and preventing unnecessary damage or […]

Hollywood vs. Reality: What Movies Get Wrong About Fires

Huge fire blazing in commercial building and firefighter on a roof in winter condition.

Fire is one of the most dramatic and terrifying forces in nature, making it a perfect element for action films, thrillers, and disaster movies. Hollywood often portrays fire in a way that maximises excitement and suspense, but how much of what we see on screen is actually accurate? In reality, fires behave very differently from […]

Emergency Lighting: What It Is and Why Your Business Needs It

A green fire exit sign is placed on the ceiling along the dimly lit corridor and there is green exit sign on the exit door.

In the event of an emergency, when power cuts out or visibility is compromised, emergency lighting serves as a lifeline, guiding occupants to safety. For businesses, having a robust emergency lighting system isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a crucial part of any fire safety plan. This blog explores what emergency lighting is, its key […]