Fire Safety Engineering & Advisory Consultants

Our approach

We’re proud to have over 75 years’ combined fire safety experience in delivering innovative, bespoke support across all sectors.

Our core objective is to provide strategic fire safety advice and develop fire safety strategies that satisfy the functional requirements of the Building Safety Act and Building Regulations. We provide solutions that represent a mix of best-practice, expert judgement and innovative fire engineering technologies.

Working closely with our wider multi-disciplinary teams (including structural engineers, façade specialists) and teams across Europe allows us to develop flexible proposals that satisfy every individual client requirement. We maximise the value of a scheme whilst maintaining robust levels of fire safety based on a sound understanding of all the competing issues involved. This includes access to expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering as well as specialists in energy modelling and vertical transportation.

Fire engineering services

Fire safety strategy

The development of a clear and coherent fire strategy demands specialist knowledge in all the key fire safety elements. With unrivalled international insights and specialisms we are able to consider the dynamics of fire and smoke, the behaviour of occupants and the response of structural components to fire while also understanding fire-fighting practices and operational procedures. This appreciation is coupled with a thorough understanding of approved codes of practice and current engineering guidance together with UK and international legislation.

While you may be the owner, manager or ‘Responsible Person’ in a commercial premise, we understand that you may not have the confidence or competency to undertake a detailed audit. That’s why we provide a tailored approach to each project, assisting both the client and design team in a full fire risk assessment, before collaborating on the required actions, fire protection design and integration. Our early involvement in a project is key to limiting risk.

We can provide early support for planning applications to meet the requirements of the HSE and other local government planning requirements. Our advice allows developers to present projects that meet the Gateway 1 fire tests go on to achieve all necessary requirements.

Feasibility

We can provide initial support for concept ideas, providing high-level advice on key fire safety items and requirements that may impact or influence the development of the concept design. Involvement at this stage can provide significant benefit through the de-risking of design and to avoid abortive work.

Planning Support

We can provide early support for planning applications to meet the requirements of Planning Gateway One (PGO) and other local government planning requirements. Our advice provides confidence to clients and developers by working with them to provide a compliant, functional design that can allow for engagement with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) at PGO and help reduce the approvals risk through successive Planning Gateways. For projects in London, we can also provide this service in the provision of a Fire Statement as required under Policy D12 of the London Plan.

Engineering for excellence

Engineered strategies will often incorporate the use of state-of-the-art computational techniques. These can model the interaction of smoke and building geometry, the movement of occupants exposed to fire and the structural response of building elements. Throughout the development of an engineered solution we maintain a close dialogue with the client, professional team and approving authorities.

Risk Management

We are highly experienced in the development of fire safety management strategies. We work closely with building owners and occupants to produce a regime that successfully balances the risk to occupants, the impact of active or passive fire-fighting systems and the capabilities of the building management team; to provide a reliable, understandable strategy.

Historic Buildings

Our fire engineering experience with listed and heritage buildings spans numerous successful projects where balancing fire safety with the preservation of historic value has been key. One of the significant challenges we face is the stringent requirement to protect the architectural integrity of these buildings while adhering to modern fire safety standards. Often, traditional fire protection methods are unsuitable due to the sensitivity of the building materials and the need to avoid visible alterations.

We overcome these challenges by employing bespoke, value-engineered solutions tailored to each building’s unique characteristics. By using performance-based fire engineering techniques, we assess fire risks in a holistic manner, considering factors such as building use, occupancy, and historical features. Our team works closely with heritage consultants and conservation officers to ensure that any interventions are both reversible and minimally invasive. In some cases, we use advanced fire modelling and smoke control systems that allow us to mitigate risks without compromising the original design or features.

Our ability to apply engineering judgement, combined with creative problem-solving, has enabled us to deliver safe, compliant, and visually sensitive fire protection strategies. For instance, in one notable project within an Embassy building, we successfully integrated a discreet fire protection system within a Grade I listed building, maintaining both the safety of its occupants and the historical authenticity of its structure. Our track record demonstrates our ability to preserve the character of heritage buildings while ensuring they meet modern fire safety requirements.

Legislative Frameworks

Legislation in fire strategy is an evolving area that is updated to reflect recent events. We are involved, where appropriate, in various consultations on any proposed legislation. Introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 and supporting secondary legislation; and changes to Building Bulletin 100 (in relation to school premises), London Plan policies D5 and D12 and British Standards to name but a few are fully understood by our teams and can be presented to clients and design teams in a way that is easy to easy to understand and deploy.

Fire advisory services

Building safety inspection & monitoring

As a surveyor-led unit, we can offer consultancy, site monitoring (inspection) and fire safety expertise through RIBA Stages 1-7, including:

• Building Safety Act 2022 Gateway 1-3 Consultancy Services
• Building Safety Case consultancy
• PAS9980 assessment. Specialist cladding compliance review/monitoring (in conjunction with Sweco Facades).
• London Plan Section (D12A) Fire Safety Reports
• Fire safety compliance reports (RIBA Stages 1-7)
• Retrospective fire strategy reports for existing buildings.
• Building Regulation/BSA/Golden Thread Compliance monitoring
• Pre-tender Building Regulation compliance assessments
• Building Regulations compliance appraisals (Part B)
• RIBA stage 5 site inspection monitoring
• Fire risk assessments
• Support development of modern methods of construction (CLT, Modular etc.)
• Training & CPD provision

Part B (Fire) Compliance reports

We will assess the submitted design plans in order to determine compliance with Part B of the building regulations and suitable design guides, such as Approved Document B, BS 9999, and BS 9991, and will provide our fire safety reports to the design team. Throughout RIBA stages 1-5 we will liaise with the client/design team/principal designer/principal contractor to review the design.

Our approach is to be an active and valued member of the design process to ensure a successful delivery of each RIBA Stage.

We will provide regular reporting to our client throughout each design stage along with end of stage compliance reports/strategy.

Example scope and T&C’s available on request

Existing Buildings – Part B (Fire) Assessments

We will undertake site assessment to attain compliance with the Part B of Building Regulations and any other relevant fire standards.

We will produce a written and photographic site report outlining the salient outcomes of the site inspection. Furthermore, if required we will provide a retrospective fire safety compliance report which can be held by the building occupiers/responsible person.

Example scope and T&C’s available on request

PAS 9980 Fire Appraisal of the External Wall

To allow us to establish the overall fire performance of an external wall we can undertake Basic Level external wall fire appraisal as per clause 8 in PAS 9980.

Prior to the fire appraisal we will agree the location of intrusive surveys and undertake inspection of the exposed external wall build up (exposing works to be undertaken by others).

Once the build-up of the external wall is known, we will produce the fire risk assessment in accordance with the guidance in PAS 9980.

Example scope and T&C’s available on request

Fire Risk Assessments

As part of a property owners legal responsibilities under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 a fire risk assessment should take place. We will undertake a fire risk assessment of the designated property and issue a fire risk assessment document in line with PAS79 guidance.

Example scope and T&C’s available on request

London Plans Section (D12A) Fire Reports

We will undertake an assessment of the pre-planning design information and provide comment to ensure that the design is adequate for submission to the Local Planning Authority, in terms of building regulation compliance.

We will issue the London Plans Section (D12A) Fire Statement to the design team which will form part of the planning submission as required under the London Plan Guidance. If any comments are received from the Local Planning Authorities, we will draft a response and update the report if necessary. If required, we will attend the planning committee/enquiry.

Example scope and T&C’s available on request