Fire safety is one of the key sections within the Building Regulations, which outline the requirements needed to provide an early warning of fire, escape routes, preventing the spread of fire, and providing access to firefighting facilities for the Fire and Rescue Services. Across the UK there are different Fire Building Regulations which draw from different documents and require varying levels of protection. All of the regulations cover a wide range of safety fire safety requirements as detailed in this blog. New build sites face numerous challenges during the construction phase of build. This blog will discuss the  common challenges faced and how the FireAngel range offers a solution to the needs of all types of installations. 

For students going to university for the first time, often the last thing they will think about is fire safety. However, student accommodation can be at high risk of fire.  Did you know:  Those living in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire. 55% of 18-24 year old  fire related deaths, occurred through the misuse of cooking appliances and careless handling of hot substances.  Over the last 5 years, cigarettes, smoking materials and candles have been the cause of 1,500 18-24 year old injuries.  Tips for student fire safety: 

Scotland has long since led the way with carbon monoxide and fire safety legislation in the UK. For example, Building Regulations in England and Wales currently stipulate a Category LD3 as a minimum for domestic new builds - whereby alarms are fitted  in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes - but Scotland’s technical handbook 2017 stipulates a Category LD2. In an LD2 system, alarms are installed in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes but also in all areas that are either high risk or the principal habitable room (such as kitchens and living rooms).

What are the benefits of an alarm control unit?  The FireAngel Alarm Control Unit (FS1524W2-T) allows you to remotely test a variety of smoke, carbon monoxide and heat alarms interlinked in the home. For the alarm control unit to integrate with a fire safety network, only one Smart RF alarm is required. The control unit is therefore easily compatible with an established hardwired network!

Different ways smoke alarms can connect Mains and battery powered smoke and heat alarms can interlink in a number of ways: they can be hardwired, wireless (e.g. connected via Smart RF wireless technology) or part of a mixed system (also known as hybrid system). The simplest and quickest way to connect/interlink alarms is via wireless radio-frequency as this requires no destructive hardwired cabling. Not only does this reduce installation time, but it allows up to 50 Smart RF alarms to be easily installed (or uninstalled) into the same meshed network.

Whilst a fire risk assessment process, hazards, people at risk and the evaluation of these risks will be highly specific to the premises at hand, this article aims to give a broad overview of the key considerations for providers of sleeping accommodation.   What is a fire risk assessment? Landlord's have a legal duty to ensure that their rented property is safe from fire. A fire risk assessment is evidence that you have fulfilled your responsibilities. 

Whilst the implementation of fire safety in private rental accommodation is a primary objective of the landlord, it is vital that tenants are also aware of their landlord’s responsibilities, as well as their own. The following blog post aims to provide a broad guide for tenants to use in order to ensure there is an adequate level of fire safety in their rented accommodation, with a selection of resources and guides to refer to.

Parallel to updates in fire safety legislation, fire safety technology is continually evolving to become faster and smarter - therefore providing a higher level of fire safety in the home. What’s more, there are an increasing number of products becoming available that can be tailored to a resident’s needs. Whilst the fire safety product market is extensive, the following blog post aims to overview some of the most exciting new developments in fire safety technology that can be implemented in the kitchen - the most dangerous room in the home. It is expected that, with time, these products will become legally required under fire safety legislation, and therefore increasingly present in homes.

Combustible Gas Awareness There is a concerning lack of awareness of the potential dangers of gas in the home - from toxic carbon monoxide (produced from incomplete combustion) to combustible natural gas leaks. Whilst carbon monoxide cannot be detected without an alarm, stench agents are added to natural gas so it can be smelt. However, as seen in recent research by Brown University, sound is often sufficient to disrupt sleep, whereas scents cannot - so every individual is at risk whilst sleeping.

Multi-occupancy social housing accommodates some of the most vulnerable in society, with 43% of people living with a long-term disability. There is also a large proportion of tenants who are elderly, or living with illnesses such as dementia. As a result, social housing tenants can be at a higher risk of fire as they may be more likely to forget about fire hazards (e.g. leaving food on the hob), be less able to detect fire alarms (e.g hearing disabilities) or may find it difficult to escape in the event of fire.