Survey highlights hurdles to delivering more robust fire safety

A survey of architects supported by fire resistant doors and glazing specialist Promat UK has revealed some of the biggest challenges that the profession sees on the road to achieving improved fire safety in buildings.

According to the “Accountability for fire safety post-Building Safety Act” study by Architects Datafile, almost two-thirds (59%) of respondents said ‘the lack of accountability on fire safety’ was ‘the major issue preventing a robust safety regime in higher risk residential projects.’ The findings also showed that 70% of the architects surveyed believed the goal of delivering a safer future would not be achieved until there was a ‘full overhaul’ of Part B of the Building Regulations to resolve its ambiguities.

The survey also provided some powerful insights into how the architectural profession views the proposed new regulatory framework, roles and responsibilities. Given the complexities of fire safety within a building design, architects may be ideally placed to have good oversight of a project, but the majority (69%) are uncomfortable with taking on the ‘Principal Designer’ role in higher risk housing projects over 18m high.

Promat timber-rated fire doorsets installed in a communal area.

One key takeaway from the survey is the need for greater use of building elements that have been tested as a complete system. This was supported by Richard Harrison of the Association of Consultant Architects, who commented in the survey report.

“It is important that a combination of products assembled together in a unique way should be proven to work as an assembly before implementation,” said Richard. “Obviously all tests should be recorded and made available for scrutiny and re-use, refinement or rejection if they have failed. One of the classic errors in the industry has been the propensity to ‘do what we did last time’, thereby repeating potential failures as has been proven by the Grenfell tragedy.”

As a champion of higher fire safety standards in domestic and non-domestic buildings, Promat UK was keen to support the survey and its aims to gain fresh insights into what architects really think on this issue.

The company has long been providing fire resistant doors, windows and glazing elements which can be specified with the confidence of clear supply chain traceability in respect of raw materials sourcing, manufacturing, processing and installation. This is what Promat UK calls its 360-degree wheel of assurance, giving specifiers, clients and building users peace of mind and being consistent with ‘golden thread’ thinking.

Promat UK’s range includes timber and steel framed fire resistant glazed doorsets, which can be specified to offer a 30 or 60-minute fire rating. Ideal for use in communal areas of residential buildings, these doorsets can be combined with its Promat SYSTEMGLAS® fire resistant glazing which provides EI (integrity and insulation) fire protection of between 30 and 120 minutes in elements such as screens, partitions and external glazing.

The steel framed Promat SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro incorporating a PYROSEC Door.

Cath McLean, Segment Manager – Glass at Promat UK said, “We’ve always advocated a system approach to testing of fire rated doorsets and glazing elements as there really is no margin for error in safety critical applications. That’s why it is encouraging to see the adoption of the golden thread, which we are confident will protect building users and assets in the future once all stakeholders arrive at a workable system.”
 
The Promat range of high performance fire rated doorsets has been expanded in 2022 with the portfolio now offering two steel framed doorsets alongside a high performance timber performance timber solution. The established steel-framed PYROSEC Door is now available in a version which features an even slimmer frame – PYROSEC SLIMLITE – for maximum light transmission without compromising passive fire protection.

Find out more at www.promat.com/en-gb/industry/markets/fire-rated-glass