Spec Finish

Building safety www.thefis.org 21 align our entire team towards that goal. Customers rely on us for expert guidance and technical knowledge.” Minster has 27 branches and distribution facilities nationwide and every branch team member receives thorough training in fire protection products and their suitability in a broad range of applications. She said: ”Most technical queries can be handled at the branch level, but we’ve also recruited staff to deal with more advanced queries. This specialist team is well qualified with a high degree of technical knowledge Coral Morgan, our Technical Services Manager, and I are both qualified to IFE Level 3”. The role of a distributor is so much more than simply moving a product from A to B, Carrie said: “We are elevating the business to become a true solutions provider by operating as the critical partner between manufacturers and clients. We offer guidance on products enabling the client to maximise both the build efficiency and the technical performance of the project.” Passive fire protection Passive fire protection products should be installed correctly to manufacturers’ tested details by third-party accredited installers using third-party accredited products. It is critical that space between services is considered very early on in the design stage. Carrie said: “All trades are now much more involved in the early stages of the build and typically main contractors are now integrating manufacturers’ firestopping details into the design process.” Minster’s position in the supply chain allows them to gain invaluable feedback from end users, which they pass on to the manufacturers, this has an impact on their R&D and new product development, she said: “More often than not, we are providing a range of products to fulfil a complex order, having good oversight of a project enables us to offer the best solution always in conjunction with the manufacturer.” Arguably, the greatest challenge to ensure a compliant installation of passive fire protection is to make sure that every trade in the process knows which passive fire protection measures have been specified and know exactly how their installation could impact the performance of the fire barriers and fire stopping service penetrations. Benchmarking areas to agree the application and building service openings sizes and proximity should be carried out and agreed by the designer before installation starts, and photographing the installation process will be a requirement of the Building Safety Act to provide a golden thread of information. Services penetrations All services passing through fire-rated walls and floors need to be firestopped to maintain the same fire rating as the substrate. This may be an opening in drywall or services passing directly through floor slabs. Early engagement is key at design stage to ensure that all service types are identified along with the required fire rating, spacing and interaction with other services. Crucially, designers and installers, need to consider the service types and sizes and if they need to be covered by a manufacturer’s tested detail. If the service sits outside of the manufacturer’s tested detail, clarification must be sought before installation. Carrie explained that accountability and liability in the construction chain should be on everyone’s agenda. Everyone involved in the provision of passive fire protection in buildings carries liability; from design, ordering the product, specifying it and installing it. Carrie said: “The greatest challenge is ensuring that every trade in the construction process is aware of the fire protection measures in place and know how their installation (or process) could impact the performance of the fire barrier.” This is where the golden thread comes into its own; documenting and photographing information about a building allows operators to understand its structure and keep it safe. Improving competence in the industry is vital. Carrie explained that competence goes hand in hand with awareness and it’s vital that whatever trade is on site they are educated and trained to understand how their service can impact or erode the passive fire performance of a building. Carrie concluded by explaining how she believes the Building Safety Act will change the way that passive fire protection is specified, sold, purchased, installed, and maintained. She said: “Every part of the process needs to be checked, products are fit for purpose and installed correctly, suitable for the application and tested to achieve the required fire rating. Lots of installers already use logging systems for their applications where you can view the before, during, and after photos. The responsible person for the building should be provided with the log of all fire stopping details to form part of the fire stopping strategy and maintenance requirements”. www.minsteronline.co.uk Minsters distribution facility in operation FIS has teamed up with MyProPass (MPP) to provide a platform for businesses to manage the competency of their workforce and for individuals to demonstrate their training history. A discount has been negotiated for organisations wishing to engage with MPP. To find out more visit page 8 our Skills featureWorking together to prove competence.