Statistics form the Department of Communities and Local Government recorded 212,500 fires from 2013-2014, causing one fifth of deaths in Great Britain between this period of time.
These figures further stress why businesses must consider fire safety laws at the beginning of any project and carry out fire risk assessments.
When designing a property, consider:
- Early consultation between the designer and the regulatory bodies.
- A design stage fire risk assessment of the building once occupied, ensuring it is completed as part of the design process.
Fire safety solutions
There are a number of solutions available to ensure a building is fire safe.
Plastic pipes for example can pose a significant fire risk, as they burn and melt away extremely fast, leaving a hole for fire to spread through easily.
To resolve this, intumescent fire collars should be fitted to act as a barrier to prevent fire from spreading through gaps of damaged pipes.
Commercial properties should ensure they are fully equipped with fire fighting apparatus, including fire extinguishers, fire doors, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems.
If you are in the process of designing a building, ensure that you consult with the regulatory bodies and put plans in place to ensure that the building is fire safe.
