The Building Safety Bill focuses on making homes safer for all, and the construction industry has responded with efforts to tighten up processes and innovate, with new regulations acting as drivers for positive change. The Grenfell tragedy in 2017 has been a significant impetus for these changes, and the industry is working towards implementing modern methods of construction that prioritise safety.
These efforts have included greater standardisation of housing design, which shortens the overall construction journey and enables greater quality control through factory-based safety checks and tests. Additionally, there is an increased focus on system-led fire protection design, which involves checking that specified components work both individually and holistically.
Despite this intention, progress within the industry has been slow and there is still a great deal of work to be done to educate professionals about fire protection, as well as in increasing competency and training across the construction industry.
The benefits of modular construction are myriad, not only is it a more sustainable and efficient approach to building homes, it also lowers the carbon footprint of construction projects and causes less disruption to the surrounding area. Additionally, the standardisation of housing design enables quicker production and greater quality control, leading to higher industry standards and improved overall performance.
By introducing quality checks and tests during component assembly in the factory phase, it’s easier to develop and implement industry-standard certifications. In turn, this can help raise the bar of the finished product, in all elements of assembly.
When materials are taken to the construction site for installation, a qualified workforce can execute the final build with ease, using up-to-date knowledge of the products and the building as a complete “system.” This approach can be adopted for fire protection design.
The system-led approach to fire protection design is crucial in ensuring that all the components function efficiently and effectively, both individually and collectively. The components typically include active fire protection systems such as sprinklers and smoke alarms, as well as passive fire protection measures like fire doors and fireretardant materials.
By employing a system-led approach, a holistic assessment of each component’s performance can be conducted, including how it works in combination with other components, such as fire doors, sprinkler systems, and FR-rated OSB boards, which can enhance compartmentation.
To ensure the system-led approach to fire protection design is effective, it is critical to have robust knowledge across the industry, aligned with current regulations.
The construction industry is complex and involves numerous decisions, with each choice having a potential impact on fire protection. It’s crucial to adopt a systematic approach to mitigate any unforeseen issues. While modern methods of construction (MMC) may seem like the obvious solution, it’s important to remember that the systematic approach still holds value. To ensure that best practices are fully established and followed, manufacturers and architectural bodies must take proactive measures. This includes increasing the competency and training of all those involved in the building process, such as architects, designers, installers, and other industry professionals.
To further improve safety and reduce the risk of fire, the construction industry can learn from other industries like aviation and automotive. A checklist approach can help ensure that fire safety planning elements are not overlooked, reducing the likelihood of mistakes caused by relying on memory. With the digital revolution taking place, the construction industry can also use digital footprints to demonstrate that the correct building criteria have been followed.
By prioritising safety and well-being in building design, the construction industry will begin to enhance the trust of the enduser once more. Through a commitment to ongoing education and progress, the industry can evolve and innovate to ensure that fire protection is given the attention it deserves, strengthening its responsibility to safeguard people’s lives and security.
