Fire Safety

Fire safety remains the top priority in the design of safer, healthier social housing. The government has announced it will be getting tougher on those who fail to comply with fire safety regulations, such as imposing unlimited fines on anyone caught obstructing or impersonating a fire inspector, as well those who breach fire safety regulations under the Fire Safety Order.1

As concerns about inadequate roof fire barrier installation grow, Marley’s Roof Defence can help housing association specifiers deliver guaranteed protection against the spread of hidden roof fires.

Building Regulations require that new homes are built with fire protection measures to delay the spread of fire and allow crucial time to escape. So, when a roof is compartmentalised between adjoining homes, fire barriers are seen as an integral safety feature, to prevent the spread of flames and smoke in case of a fire.

The UK Boxings pre-finished range of pipe and fire sprinkler boxing is designed to provide a consistent finish to retro-fit sprinkler installations, by concealing unsightly pipework, while also being quick and easy to fit on site to save time and money.

Manufactured from 9mm thick moisture resistant MDF, our fire sprinkler boxing is available in two-sided ‘L’ shaped and three-sided ‘U’ shaped profiles, with a choice of more than 60 different standard profile sizes and can be supplied in 2400mm or 3050 mm length options.

Titon has recently supplied the new Fire Safe Air Brick® at the new Timber Works residential development in Cambridge.

The development, a project undertaken by AJ Mechanical Services Ltd (AJM) is among one of their largest contracts to date, with an order worth £3.5 million. 

Timber Works is part of a calibration between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnership.  They both combined to form the Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) whose aim is to develop affordable housing in the heart of Cambridge.

Social housing providers are just one of a wide range of organisations that have warmed to the latest solution to letterbox security from Midlands-based Blockabox. Others taking up the options on the new solution include UK Fire and Rescue Services, Police Forces and wider landlord businesses keen on stopping residential and commercial properties from being targeted  by arson attacks, anti-social behaviour and nuisance and unsolicited mail dropping through doors of void properties and causing potential fire hazards.

Social landlords are increasingly realising that the Internet of Things (IoT) can bring many benefits directly to their organisations through improved maintenance efficiencies, investment optimisation and compliance. It is also increasingly clear that there are many benefits to residents including improving health, safety and wellbeing while also providing opportunities to help them save money. This isn’t just anecdotal evidence, but is clearly backed up by recent research HomeLINK carried out with over 50 landlords. Figure 1 indicates that the resident related benefits such as tackling fuel poverty and improving living conditions and energy efficiency are among those most associated with IoT adoption in social housing.

Fire safety is critical but ensuring that an EWI system has been tested for windloading capabilities shouldn’t be overlooked. Mark Weaver, Alsecco’s Regional Manager explains...