Reducing Fire Spread in High-Rise Residential Buildings
Free Event – The Gherkin, London
Following the disaster at Grenfell and the numerous balcony fires that have happened during last year, we have been working with a number of highly respected leaders in the industry to try and improve fire safety. We are hoping to drive change to the British Standards, fire regulation and increase fire awareness.
The theme for the event was reducing fire spread in high rise residential buildings. The event started with an industry leadership roundtable panel discussing key direction for the future from 8:00AM-11:00AM – by invitation only.
Summary of Roundtable:
Our most recent roundtable was held at our recent fire event on the 4th September at the iconic Gherkin, London. The theme for the event was “reducing fire spread in high rise residential buildings” and the morning roundtable of industry leaders focused on the key direction to take for the future.
At the roundtable, a range of topics were covered and the need for cross-industry collaboration was clear. The consensus was that further roundtable events and other opportunities to bring industry leaders together would be helpful in facing industry challenges.
A key point raised was the need for a high level of quality control and traceability throughout the supply chain. A method of achieving this suggested was to have managers photograph everything at each stage to produce full records, similar to the Sapphire Passport app.
Another issue discussed was the lack of understanding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government about the implications of the advice notes they issue. This leads to repeated amendments and updates to guidance and issues like the ban on laminate glass over 18M.
It was generally agreed that greater end user education is needed but the challenges to effectively communicating this guidance are significant. Many homeowners do not read the provided manuals and so fail to take the necessary action to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
Attendees were all in agreement that this conversation must be ongoing and further roundtables would be beneficial. The key to overcoming these industry wide challenges is collaboration and conversation.
Join a future roundtable
Afternoon CPD Sessions Included
The Essentials of Class A Decking CPD: 10:30AM – 1 Hour CPD Presented by MyDek
Balcony Fire CPDs: 11:30AM – 45min Sapphire CPD
No Fire Without Smoke CPD: 11:30AM – 1 Hour CPD Presented by Sertus. (Concurrent to Balcony Fire CPD at 11:30AM)
Balcony Design CPD: 13:00PM – 1 Hour Sapphire CPD
Open state and full-fill cavity barriers CPD: 13:00PM – 1 Hour CPD Presented by Siderise (Concurrent to Balcony Design CPD 13:00)
BSI Balcony Standard CPD: 14:30PM – 1 Hour Sapphire CPD (Concurrent to Fire CPD at 14:30)
Balcony Fire CPDs: 14:30AM – 45min Sapphire CPD
Passive Fire Protection CPD: 15:30PM – 1 Hour CPD (Concurrent to Balconies: From Fires to ‘The Ban’ CPD at 15:30) Presented by Quelfire
Balconies: From Fires to ‘The Ban’: 15:30PM – 1 Hour CPD
The CPDs were well received by over 120 guests joining us for a day of cross-industry discussion.