WOBO members and fellow professionals continue to appreciate the news updates provided by IFSEC INSIDER.
The fundamentals of the golden thread of building information – “Accountability at every level”
Much is talked and written about the “golden thread” of building information, but what exactly is it, how should it be organised and who should have access to it? Ron Alalouff reports from a session at Fire Conference 2023, where the FIA’s Will Lloyd outlined the fundamentals. Follow link for further details….
‘It’s critical for responsible persons to know difference between fire doors and regular doors’
Working fire doors are a prerequisite for fire safety, but what differentiates them from regular doors? Kirk Smith of Allegion UK explains all. Follow link for further details….
The fragmented nature of fire safety enforcement and a lack of centralised guidance are two of the factors that muddy the waters of the new regime, according to a panel discussion at the Fire Conference in October. Follow link for further information….
Substantial changes to building regulations in Northern Ireland have been proposed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire which, if implemented, will amend regulations and guidance primarily on blocks of flats, but also on other residential buildings. Ron Alalouff reports. For further details follow the link…
The inaugural meeting of the Building Advisory Committee – set up to provide technical advice to the Building Safety Regulator and help shape Building Regulations and the content of Approved Document B – has taken place, as Ron Alalouff reports. For further details follow the link….
Fire safety: Reflections and predictions from fire industry experts
2023 has proved to be a pivotal moment for fire safety in the UK, as long-awaited legislative changes, particularly in the form of amendments to the Building Safety and Fire Safety Act, finally came to fruition. As we approach the year’s end, we’ve collected insights from fire industry experts on the significant milestones achieved, the evolution of fire safety in 2023 and 2024 forecasts.
In this article, Natalie Sellar, Managing Associate at Addleshaw Goddard, explores the legislative framework in place, consequences of non-compliance, and practical considerations.
Buildings containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) may now be at risk of structural collapse, with little or no notice, as the material has exceeded its design life expectancy.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently published guidance on managing the risks and has advised owners and managers of buildings to identify RAAC in their premises and seek specialist advice to assess and manage the risks associated with it.
Legislative framework
Owners, tenants, and employers have duties to ensure the safety of their premises under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO).
Employers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work, and also others, including the public and other visitors, such as contractors and suppliers. This duty extends to the extent of the employer’s control over premises which may expose any of these categories of people to risk.
Japan plane crash provides fire safety insight on composite materials
On Tuesday 2 January, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a smaller coastguard plane during its landing at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in Japan.
All 379 passengers and crew on board the Japan Airlines (JAL) flight managed to evacuate the burning plane before it was engulfed in flames. Five of the six people on board the coastguard plane were confirmed dead, with its Captain being the sole person to escape the collision.
The fire reportedly took firefighters eight hours to completely extinguish.
Experts are now examining how the plane’s materials may have aided the evacuation, which took 18 minutes.
🚨 How did all 379 passengers on board this #JapanAirlines flight JA516 survive this?!!
Massive respect to the cabin crew and rescue personnel at Tokyo-Haneda airport.
Humanity shines in times of need.pic.twitter.com/7DFddezq6q
— Suraj Balakrishnan (@SurajBala) January 2, 2024