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fire, safety & security
moving past ‘fit and forget’
For building owners, developers and facilities managers across the UK, it can be easy to Brad Crisp control for build owners and facilities managers...
Why fire safety requires ongoing attention The attitude of ‘fit and forget’ has long been an issue within the industry, which is a huge issue when it comes to fire safety. When investing in high-quality systems, in theory, they should stand the test of time and not require any real intervention – but it’s essential that building managers, developers and facilities managers keep on top of maintaining and upgrading fire safety systems. Even the most robust fire safety systems require regular
testing and maintenance, and there’s good reason for this: • System deterioration – Over time, any system will begin to run into issues, especially if not maintained by a competent professional regularly. • Changing regulations – While regulations aren’t changing regularly, it’s important to keep on top of any that do change and how this impacts your existing safety set-up. For example, the impact the 2024 update to BS991 had on smoke control. • Human error and oversights – While a safety system might appear to be in good working order after being installed, there’s always a chance that something may have been missed in the initial installation that hasn’t been picked up. • Changes in facilities use – If, for any reason, there’s a change to your premises’ primary function, there could be implications for how safety systems are used and what regulations now apply.
There are a whole host of reasons that fire safety requires ongoing attention, with one of the most important being in compliance with section 3 of the ONS’ Fire Prevention and Protection statistics, which relates to fire protection and formal and informal notices. If your building fails a fire audit, the repercussions can be severe, with several informal and formal notification categories depending on the severity of non- compliance. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 8,666 breaches
of compliance relating to fire-safety equipment maintenance (Article 17), which highlights the issues currently facing the industry when it comes to keeping up with fire safety obligations. The fire-safety lifecycle approach Fully understanding and implementing the fire safety lifecycle approach is complex, but extremely worthwhile for those who work in (M&E) and facilities management. Neglect at any stage can impose risk, leading to fines, legal liability or in the worst case, the loss of life. This is why proactive management is essential in fire safety. An in-depth look at the five stages involved in the fire safety lifecycle: 1. Planning & Design An essential stage, this ensures that the fire safety system is appropriate for the building’s specific use, occupancy and risk
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