Spec Finish

Building safety www.thefis.org 23 is required fromkey stakeholders throughout the whole construction chain resulting in a shared liability between suppliers and contractors involved in a project. As such, it is crucial that businesses are equipped with the latest technical knowledge to ensure the appropriate solutions are specified and installed correctly. Carrie continues: “There is a huge range of fire protection and fire stopping products available on the market but they produce different results when circumstances and conditions are varied. It’s absolutely vital that installers new to the market are informed and experienced enough to ensure correct specification of safety solutions. Fire protection is an area that should be entered only once fully equipped with the latest knowledge and with eyes wide open.” Training Training will help businesses to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that all fire protection solutions specified meet the latest standards. Carrie says: “Many materials manufacturers and distributors offer technical support to installers who need it. At Minster, we have focused on elevating the technical experience and capabilities of our entire sales team through specialist training. We also have specialist technical managers in place to support businesses.” Aside from receiving training and advice, Carrie explains that there are some other steps drylining installers should bemindful of. “Using fire protection products that have been verified and approved by a UKAS-accredited company will ensure that any solutions used will perform to the standards claimed. This is something that should be continually monitored and installers shouldmake sure they keep up-to-date with any changes to suppliers’ products. To ensure that safety standards are beingmet, products are being regularly tested and re-evaluated; meaning changes to the standards they meet can occur.” The golden thread Whilst not yet legally implemented, the Government is also introducing a stringent regulatory regime which those businesses installing fire protection and fire stopping solutions will be required to adhere to. The ‘golden thread of information’ requires digital records to be kept for each project detailing specifications, fire test evidence, certification and other information providing traceability to ensure that all items have been installed to comply with Building Regulations. “It’s not just the drylining trade that need to extend their knowledge of fire stopping and prevention solutions. Education is also needed across the wider construction industry if risk is To assist in the design, specification and installation of building services FIS collaborated with other stakeholders to produce the Best Practice Design and Installation Guide, Firestopping of Service Penetrations. Commenting on the guide, Dame Judith Hackitt said: “This document is the result of a collaboration between a number of relevant trade bodies and organisations representing the wider construction and fire safety industries, and it is an example of the collaborative working and acceptance of professional responsibility throughout the supply chain that must become a feature of the industry’s culture fromnow on.” Download it at www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/ best-practice-guides/firestopping-of-service-penetrations/ This guide has been turned into a short (free) online training course for building engineers, designers, installer, inspectors, or insurers who want to learn more about fire stopping . Encon Insulation Nottingham’s Fire Protection Centre FIRESTOPPINGOF SERVICEPENETRATIONS BESTPRACTICE INDESIGN AND INSTALLATION Thisguide isthe resultofacollaboration betweenthesenot-for- profitassociations: to be completely eradicated.” concludes Carrie. “Each trade needs to have an understanding of how their work can impact the fire protection system and ensure that they are not compromising the solutions installed. “For example, if an electrician needs to drill into a fire rated construction to install some new wiring, they should be aware of the impact this could have on the effectiveness of the fire performance of the division after installation. Materials are currently labelled with the details of who to call in such circumstances but we know from experience that trades often ignore this. We need more awareness throughout the industry about the importance of not ignoring the warnings and ruining the effectiveness of the solutions installed. Support and advice is readily available to bridge the knowledge gap, it’s just a matter of ensuring installers take it up.” www.minsteronline.co.uk Sound and reliable advice TheNottinghambranch of UKdistributor Encon Insulation andNevill Long has become a Fire Protection Centre.This latest development means customers can nowcall on a dedicated teamwith expert knowledge on an extensive range of passivefire protection products. The team works closely with customers to advise on projects nationally, ensuring products match the performance they need to achieve the latest fire protection regulations. This includes bespoke solutions from suppliers such as British Gypsum, Kemwell Fire, Promat, PFC Corofil, TBA Firefly, Knauf and ROCKWOOL. Key product categories include fire protection boards, fire stopping products and cavity barriers. NevilleWhite, Business Development Director – Fire Protection, said: “It’s essential that our customers have access to a knowledgeable team, able to provide sound and reliable advice on an extremely important area. Fire protection is a vital element whatever the project, and with the increased focus across the industry on building safety, it’s important we invest in developing in- branch technical experts. Growing our Fire Protection Centres reinforces Encon’s focus and drive to provide the best service, range and support in passive fire protection.” For more information visit www.encon.co.uk