Fire, Security and Safety

FläktGroup is a leading manufacturer and supplier of air technology based products and solutions for the commercial and industrial sectors in the UK. With a strong heritage, the company has manufactured HVAC products in the UK and Scandinavia for over 100 years.

With one of the most comprehensive ranges of products available on the market, FläktGroup is able to offer a whole host of solutions for any given project.

Part of their extensive ventilation offering is the eCO PREMIUM, a revolutionary energy recovery unit that incorporates the latest air movement technology and intuitive controllability.

Glidevale has introduced a re-engineered version of its gas protection membrane, the Protect GDB10 Plus. Achieved by increasing the robustness of the material, the membrane’s puncture resistance has been boosted by more than 30%, ensuring less risk of tearing and ripping on site. Providing a continuous, impermeable protective barrier against ground gases including methane, radon, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, the membrane is suitable for Amber 1 and 2 applications as defined by NHBC. The product is compliant with BS 8485:2015 and has also been independently assessed and certified by BM TRADA.

As residential fire safety, particularly in multi-storey buildings and tower blocks have been the centre of attention since last June, the groundswell of opinion is clearly behind the installation of fire sprinkler systems as part of a multi-million pound programme of fire protection upgrades.

While discussions continue regarding how the work is being funded, it appears that local authorities and housing associations are likely to make a significant contribution to the cost, so it’s inevitable that ‘value’ and ‘cost effectiveness’ will form part of the tendering procedures that are already taking place.

UTS Engineering has unparalleled expertise in providing preventative solutions to the devastating consequences of flooding.

Our range of products and services continues to grow at a rapid pace. Whether this involves our full service capability to design, manufacture and commission highly technical pipework solutions for the utilities sector or the installation of industry leading barriers and flood prevention systems through our specialist mitigation and intervention division, we operate across the UK 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Intratone, one of Europe’s largest access control specialists, has launched its new V4 Video Intercom Panel at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) Conference and Exhibition, which took place at Manchester Central from 26th to 28th June.

The V4 is aimed at private property managers, the new design includes a handsfree fob reader that allows residents to open the door when stood within one metre. From an installers point of view, the panel is fixed on a hinge so during installation it opens outwards for easier maintenance. The panel features a 3G and 4G module, invisible pinhole camera, coded keypad with 12 back-lit keys with name scroll, and hands-free proximity reader.

The tragic events of the Grenfell disaster last year cast a long shadow and one that will remain with the industry for decades to come. 

Of course lessons will be learnt and perhaps at long last due attention will be paid to safety above other considerations when deciding upon risk critical building products such as fire doors and fire door assemblies. 

More immediately however we all await the inevitable changes to legislation and good practice, following Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review and how it will shape future product specification, installation and ongoing use throughout the life cycle of the building.

The industry has seen a 39% rise in the number of housing associations seeking contractors to do fire safety work, a recent report from Inside Housing has found.

It isn’t clear whether these works are being undertaken on new projects, or refurbishments, but what is clear is the question as to why these issues have not been addressed before?

With innovation in fire safety and performance in the built environment now more abundant than ever, the time for excuses is over. From foundations to fixings, contractors and specifiers involved in all types of building projects now have a plethora of options to choose from.