Fire dampers are a means of fire protection used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems which act to prevent the spread of fire through ducting. Where temperatures rise the fire damper closes to limit the spread of fire. Typically these are operated by having a component which melts when a certain temperature is reached, allowing the damper to close. … Read More
Bank Holiday Announced for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, and last day of the period of national mourning, will be a national bank holiday. This national bank holiday will allow individuals, businesses, and organisations to pay their respect to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign. This bank holiday will operate like other bank holidays, such as … Read More
Consultation Launched on Changes to Building Regulations
Following the enquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, the Building Safety Act was launched and received Royal Assent on 22nd April. The Act brings forward a number of changes to make buildings safer, these changes will require further secondary legislation and regulations to make them work. As part of this process, a number of consultations are being launched on the … Read More
Updated Fire Safety Guidance for Construction Sites
The HSE have recently revised their fire safety guidance for construction sites, “HSG168 Fire Safety In Construction”. It is estimated that every year there are hundreds of fires on construction sites, potentially putting the lives of workers and members of the public at risk. Where practical risks should be eliminated at the design stage. The HSE’s guidance is split into … Read More
New Fire Regulations for Flats and High Rise Buildings in England
Coming into force in January 2023 and following on from the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, the government has introduced new regulations covering fire safety for domestic premises in England. For high rise residential buildings, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require the responsible person for the building to take a number of actions, including: Installing a secure information … Read More
Consultation Launched on the New Safety Regime for Occupied Higher Risk Buildings
The Building Safety Act 2022 received Royal Assent at the end of April and introduces a new more stringent regulatory regime for the construction and use of buildings, in particular for high-rise residential buildings. In order to make the new regime work, the Government now needs to introduce a range of secondary legislation and regulations to support the Act. As … Read More
Telescopic Ladder Failures
Recent research by The Ladder Association has found that up to 80% of telescopic ladders sold failed to meet the minimum safety requirements set out in BS EN 131-6 Ladders – Telescopic Ladders. This is especially concerning considering their rise in popularity alongside the fact that many of the largest and most trusted sellers were involved in selling these ladders. … Read More
Extending Responsibility for Packaging Waste
Currently, organisations that handle 50 or more tonnes of packaging or packaging materials in a calendar year (i.e. January to December) and have an annual turnover of more than £2 million must register as a packaging producer, meet recycling obligations and provide evidence of compliance. The government recently announced that with effect from 1st January 2023 these requirements will be … Read More
SAFE STORAGE OF GAS CYLINDERS
Whether used in the home (e.g. medical oxygen) or in a workplace (e.g. welding gasses) where gas cylinders are in use it is often important that spares are readily available and it will often be the case that a number of cylinders will be present in any premises where they are used. There are a number of hazards associated with … Read More
NEW FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) have recently published a number of new guidance documents. The first of these is a Guide on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX). This gives background information on the use of electrical equipment in areas where there is a risk of explosion and also gives information on the concepts available for protecting equipment used … Read More