Competency matters Whilst we can accept that these modern


complexities have made understanding more difficult for those at the start of the supply chain (architects and engineers), and also those tasked with compliance (building control/local authority), it really ought to be best practice to involve experts such as ourselves in the early design process. Any delay in this action can lead to further


challenges, which become more difficult to resolve the further the project advances. To retrofit a fire safe solution can be a dangerous and very costly practice best avoided. At Sherwin-Williams we believe it is the right of every individual who enters a building – particularly high rise and complex structures – to expect that property to be fire safe. It is our duty to ensure that everyone working


in the fire protection and fire design community delivers this expectation responsibly and diligently. So how do we define competency? There is currently neither a recognised measure nor a minimum standard of qualification. Nor is there any government requirement for these. Perhaps it is time that an industry minimum standard was developed? I also believe that it is high time we took the


opportunity to better educate our forthcoming graduate engineers about fire and fire design. Use and knowledge of ambient design output can greatly enhance the efficiency and practicality of using intumescent paints, lowering not only applied cost but also the cost of repairing damaged coatings. As such, it is imperative that the gap in knowledge is filled in order that engineers can engage in the structural fire protection design process. In my opinion, fire engineering solutions


offer a great deal of value in terms of enhanced safety, putting the fire protection where it is specifically required, and I see such solutions as offering beneficial commercial options. However, it is important also that such solutions are handled properly, and structural engineers as well as fire engineers need to proceed with clarity and caution, and work closely with the supplier of the fire protection. At Sherwin-Williams we recognised these


challenges many years ago, and have assembled a design team of structural and mechanical engineers to cope with this complexity of understanding. We have also produced design software that is voluntarily third party accredited by both Exova Warringtonfire and the fire engineering division of the University of Manchester. This approach ensures competency of individual designers, as well as the analytical design tools that we use.


Information modelling


To address the issue of ensuring that our designs are then properly communicated to the project, we employ the use of building information modelling (BIM). For those who are uninitiated, BIM allows data sharing between project partners. A few short years ago it was not often the case that suppliers such as ourselves were given access to such tools, but now all that has changed, particularly driven by the need for offsite applied intumescent coatings. This allows the fabricator to closely control their paint shop by taking data directly from the 3D model, and exporting it onto contract documents and production control systems for quality assurance. Designs are produced electronically by the design software, but to allow this to happen, data is transferred from the BIM 3D model into our analytical software by the use of a secure plugin. We have been working with our partners


at Trimble for several years (and continue to do so) to develop this plugin, which is able to deal with the highest level of complexity seamlessly. Data is then passed back into the model to be made available for the benefit of the project.


Along with the obvious benefits to the paint


shop, such software could easily be used by the building management team once a property has been commissioned by insurers, and one day – who knows – the emergency first responders. Digital colour filters allow for the 3D model


to be interrogated in any aspect of the structural fire protection, including the bespoke element intumescent thicknesses and product references. That also extends to the fire resistance allowance; again something that firefighters could use to plan their response if made available – all in 3D and colour. We are of course happy to discuss our capabilities and be available for advice as early in a project’s life as possible. Early involvement allows the fire safety requirements to be satisfied in the most effective way for all parties. Our goal is to produce guidance that will help enhance knowledge and educate the supply chain to improve building design as well as fire safety in steel structures. Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that a good, robust fire engineered solution is delivered exactly as it was intended


Bob Glendenning is global fire engineering manager for Sherwin-Williams. For more information, view page 5


www.frmjournal.com MARCH 2018 19


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