Located in Sofia, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) was established in 2002 as an independent state authority entrusted with the management and regulation of all electronic communications in Bulgaria.

A recent upgrade of the fire system in the Communications Regulation Commission office was undertaken by Advanced partner, FireTech Engineering Ltd. The project saw Advanced’s Axis EN system installed in the building supported by smoke detectors, and Advanced’s AlarmCalm false alarm management solution.

Rossen Kolev, Managing Director for FireTech Engineering Ltd, said: “We specified Axis EN as the brains and backbone of the system for the CRC building as we know it offers the highest levels of quality and reliability. The client specified a system that would avoid false alarms and offer the option to expand or upgrade in the future, which is something we can guarantee with Axis EN and AlarmCalm.”

AlarmCalm is a free upgrade to Advanced software and firmware that takes advantage of the high-speed robust panels and networks to offer a best in class solution for managing verification and investigation delays to outputs. It allows the false alarm management strategy for a site to be refined right down to points and to take account for resident needs and area usage. It includes the AlarmCalm loop device that allows residents or trained staff to indicate whether they believe a signal in their area is due to a false alarm.

Axis EN is EN54 2,4&13 approved and its panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas. Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range make it customisable to almost any application.

Axis EN also supports TouchControl, Advanced’s 10” HD touchscreen repeater and remote-control terminal that offers dynamic reporting and control via a unique interface that includes Active Maps and zone plans.

Etienne Ricoux, Advanced’s Head of Sales, commented: “The Communications Regulation Commission building in Sofia is the latest high-profile building in Bulgaria to be protected by Advanced panels. Our Axis EN panels lead the market and offer the performance, reliability and flexibility needed in a building such as this.”

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control and fire paging systems. More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.

Bureau Veritas is advising caution regarding the recent government proposal to convert high street takeaways into housing without planning permission, warning that it could pose a fire safety risk.

As part of his responsibility for local growth, Jake Berry, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, has recommended the move to ‘inject the free market into high street renewal’ and make town centres ‘flexible to change’ in the hopes of removing delays to redevelopment opportunities and alleviating the housing crisis[1].

Currently, the government-permitted development rights scheme allows certain ‘change of use’ redevelopment to be carried out without planning permission[2], with the most common form of change of use being turning an office into a residential unit. However, the reforms would remove restrictions that apply to high street takeaway premises to give them the same status as office buildings and warehouses, facilitating redevelopment without planning permission.

Although it makes the process more straightforward for the developer, landlords and other organisations responsible for managing the refurbishment process in a change of use building need to consider the potential implications for fire safety. Additional legislation is in place to protect occupants of residential buildings when it comes to fire safety, compared with other types of building, so the need to adapt or install correct fire safety features is paramount.

Anthony Cassidy, Health, Safety & Fire Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, explains: “The housing shortage and particularly the increased demand for residential flats in town centres, where space is at a premium, has led to the rise in change of use buildings. This has typically focused on developers looking for opportunities to convert office premises into residential dwellings due to the slowdown of the office market – this is the first time that other building types such as takeaway premises have been mooted as a suitable alternative.

“However, whilst potentially providing more housing, more quickly, there are considerations around managing fire safety in a change of use building, as requirements for residential buildings are different to other types of building. Some developers, especially smaller operations, may not be aware of this, especially when planning permission is not required. Alongside potential loopholes within the fire safety order and planning process, this can pose a potential fire risk for future residents.”

On this basis, it’s crucial that that landlords and any other organisations responsible for managing the refurbishment process in a change of use building are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to fire safety and are mindful that these loopholes are not a means to cut corners.

Anthony adds: “It’s critical that the potential implications of managing fire safety correctly in a change of use building are considered carefully and that buildings are refurbished in accordance with local authority guidance, building regulations and for a house in multiple occupation (HMO), that it is within licensing arrangements. Ultimately, fire risk assessments for the common parts must be carried out on all change of use buildings a building is occupied to ensure resident safety.”

Bureau Veritas offers a one-stop solution for fire safety and compliance via an experienced team of technical experts. For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk or call 0345 600 1828.

[1] https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/high-street-takeaways-turned-into-housing-no-planning-permission/

[2] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required#changesofuse

East Grinstead, 14 June 2018:  The UK’s leading brands for the fire safety industry have confirmed their participation in Fire Safety Scotland, the only free-to-attend b2b exhibition dedicated to Scotland’s fire safety industry.

Apollo Fire Detectors, C-TEC, FireClass, Global Fire Equipment, Haes Systems and Jelf are just a handful of the leading fire safety manufacturers and suppliers that will be in attendance when the show returns to the SEC, Glasgow on the 12 – 13 September 2018.

These fire safety brands join the safety and facilities companies who will also be exhibiting at the co-located events Health & Safety Scotland and Facilities Scotland.

All three events are part of the Scotland Works series, which provides a unique opportunity for professionals to access 200+ exhibiting companies and four streams of professional content dedicated to helping them maintain a safe, secure and cost-effective business – all with one free visitor badge.

Tim Else, Director from event organiser Western Business Exhibitions comments, “We are thrilled to have some of the UK’s biggest fire safety brands exhibiting at Fire Safety Scotland this year.

“Visitors will be able to meet these brands face-to-face and get bespoke advice for their business. It is the ideal platform for those who have a responsibility to maintain fire safety standards at their organisation to combine a year’s worth of education and supplier sourcing into just two days.”

Free visitor registration opens on 19^th June and is available on the website www.firesafetyevents.co.uk/scotland.  For exhibiting enquiries contact [email protected]

Fire doors are the first line of defence against devastating fires and when properly built, installed and maintained, they save lives and protect property. Despite this, fire doors across the UK are still badly fitted, non-compliant, left propped open or damaged and, as a result, could be putting millions of lives at stake.

The team behind FDSW (24-30th September 2018) is gearing up for its 2018 campaign that will continue to educate about the critical role that fire doors play in delaying the spread of smoke and fire, and keeping occupants and fire fighters safe.

Now in its sixth year, this year’s FDSW campaign – Fire Door Five: Shutting the door on fire and smoke – aims to draw attention to the importance of properly-fitted and accredited fire doors as well as raising awareness of the dangers of smoke inhalation and the role that correctly installed fire doors can do in preventing the spread of both fire and smoke.

Part of the activity will see campaigners explore the need to establish a Building Safety Fund to help pay for vital and life-saving fire safety improvements in Local Authority and Housing Association accommodation.

Hannah Mansell, spokesperson for FDSW, as well as British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Head of Technical Research and Insight, chair of the Passive Fire Protection Forum and a trustee of the Children’s Burns Trust, says: “Through Fire Door Safety Week, we will once more renew our efforts to ensure that residents, landlords and building owners across the UK are armed with the information they need to make informed decisions that will improve safety. There is no doubt that fire doors, fully fitted with their correct and compatible components, that are properly installed and maintained play a crucial role in saving lives in the event of a fire. The legacy of neglect means more lives could be lost as a result of substandard fire protection measures. We know that the necessary corrective actions will cost and that is why we are asking the Government set up a Building Safety Fund for Housing Associations and Local Authorities to carry out replacement and repair works. Finance should not be used as an excuse. The stakes are too high.

“Tenants and the general public will, as always, play a key part and get their voices heard by reporting doors that are propped open, damaged or in poor condition, rather than waiting for landlords or building owners to inspect fire doors. As part of Fire Door Safety Week, we have created a Five Step Fire Door Check to help people check their fire doors and empower them to report faulty doors.

“Over the last year, there has been significant discussion about the responsibility of landlords, councils and Housing Associations to ensure the safety of their tenants but there is still a massive learning curve in terms of awareness about how fire doors that are correctly specified, installed, maintained and of course closed can limit the effect of fire and smoke, and what to do in the event of a fire. Because of this uncertainty, our focus for fire door safety week this year is “shutting the door on fire and smoke” and we want to educate everyone on how effective fire doors can be in stopping the spread of fire and smoke.”

FDSW, a national campaign, is run by the British Woodworking Federation, the BWF-Certifire Scheme and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, in partnership with the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign.

Throughout the week (24-30th September 2018), there will be numerous events and campaign activity to raise awareness about the importance of fire door safety. To access a free toolkit of fire safety advice resources to help run your own FDSW activities, visit www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk

Following the installation of its fire system in 1996, it came to the end of its economic life. The team discussed requirements with the client to finalise a plan for a replacement system.

The plating process creates a challenging environment, which meant that the new fire alarm system had to be designed to take this into consideration. Working closely with the client, a detailed programme of works was agreed and the new system was installed over a two week period, avoiding the busiest production periods.

Richard Drewitt, managing director of The Drewitt Group, commented: “The longstanding partnership with Twickenham Plating Group has been fantastic for us all at The Drewitt Group, we’ve worked closely alongside them in order to provide ongoing advice and guidance as to the systems that they require.”

Penny Bridge, health and safety manager of Twickenham Plating Group Ltd., added: “We have many years of excellent customer service provided by Richard and his team. They have provided excellent guidance and support on the requirements to meet our fire safety responsibilities.”
The Drewitt Group also services and maintains the emergency lighting and fire extinguishers at the establishment, along with providing a comprehensive package of works and long term advice.

drewittgroup.co.uk

Interconnecting doors are now extremely popular within the specification market for all kinds of applications. For example; between hotel bedrooms, in night clubs or music studios where sound needs to be blocked out or in commercial offices and administration buildings which have meeting rooms where greater confidentiality is required.

Steven Dennard, Group Door Manager for James Latham commented, “This high-acoustic performance from a timber-based door product highlights the superior quality of the Moralt FireSound 59mm door blank, UK stocked up to sizes 3050 x 1220mm which also boasts a fire rating of up to FD90 under BS476 Pt.22.”

Mr Dennard added, “The technical features and benefits of the Moralt FireSound 59mm, coupled with its environmental credentials – the door blank is FSC accredited – make it a really attractive option for specifiers and it is generating plenty of interest in the market.”

A single leaf Moralt FireSound 59mm door on a pivot hinge with a floor spring and available exclusively through James Latham in the UK, has also been successfully tested to dB42. Again, these doors which work in both swing directions, allowing it to revolve up to 180 ˚are proving to be extremely popular among architects and designers as they can create a true design statement.

www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Philip Watson, topside sales director at Advanced Insulation, commented, “Our Lightweight MS400 insulation and fire protection system has provided significant weights savings on all the recent mega oil and gas projects that have been built in Korea, which has enabled oil and gas operators to gain huge monetary savings to their projects.”

“On average, the MS400 System has saved each project in excess of 100 tonnes of topside weight and these were prominent design factors which have steered oil and gas operators to our conclusion, that ContraFlame MS400 is the external Passive Fire Protection to use,” Watson added.

“With the big increase in the requirement to insulate and fire proof the cellar decks of offshore oil and gas platforms, which are being located in extreme harsh environmental locations around the world, oil and gas operators are requiring a much more robust system that can deal with wave slam and wind loads to the cellar deck coupled with winter temperatures down to -44°C.”

“Operators were also experiencing considerable design, construction and installation difficulties in the development of what they termed a ‘fit and forget’ external under deck Passive Fire Protection system for a 40-year platform life, which is why they now specify the ContraFlame MS400 System.”

Chris O’Leary, production manager at Advanced Insulation, said, “ContraFlame MS400 is formulated, designed and manufactured here in Gloucester before being sent out to clients worldwide. When I started at the company in 2012, we were making 52 panels a year of around three square metres each.”

Richard Graham, Conservative MP for Gloucester added, “British innovation is driving our growth in exports and jobs and Advanced Insulation’s contribution to both the Gloucester and our national story is a shining example of that.”