Making Britain's Buildings Safer
Protect Your Building with Expert Fire Engineering Support
Addressing façade risks, ensuring PAS 9980 compliance, and developing a robust fire strategy. Using our guidance, developed by our highly experienced team, you’ll safeguard lives, assets and your property’s future.
If your building is facing fire safety challenges with complex façade systems, our team of specialist fire engineers are ready to support you with in-depth risk assessments, re-cladding strategies and comprehensive compliance checks.
Book a consultation today to talk through your bespoke fire safety solutions.
Our Services
Fire Safety Statement
The London Plan Policy D12 requires a fire safety statement as part of planning applications in London or as part of a Gateway 1 Submission for High Risk Buildings. This document is designed to ensure that new developments incorporate appropriate fire safety measures and to demonstrate that fire safety considerations are integrated into the design process early on.
Key Elements of the D12 Fire Safety Statement
A D12 fire safety statement addresses the following elements:
Fire Strategy and Prevention
Details how the design minimises the risk of fire spread and provides adequate means of escape.
Evacuation and Emergency Access
Outlines evacuation protocols, including accessibility for emergency services and strategies for safely evacuating occupants.
Firefighting Provisions
Includes provisions like firefighting shafts, access points and water supplies.
Construction and Materials
Specifies fire-resistant materials and construction methods to enhance overall safety.
Ongoing Management
Considers how fire safety will be managed throughout the life cycle of the building.
Fire Risk Assessment
A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a legal requirement for most types of buildings in the UK. It is aimed at identifying fire hazards, evaluating risks, and establishing measures to prevent fires and protect occupants. This requirement is dictated by several key pieces of legislation and is essential for ensuring fire safety compliance.
Who Requires a Fire Risk Assessment?
Employers: Any employer must conduct a fire risk assessment of their workplace (this also includes volunteers who are unpaid)
Building Owners and Managers: The ‘Responsible Person’ for a building, often the owner, landlord, property manager or an appointed individual, must ensure an FRA is carried out, especially for communal areas in residential blocks and non-domestic premises.
Public and Commercial Buildings: Any commercial property, public building (such as schools, hospitals, libraries), and premises open to the public require an FRA.
Multi-occupancy Residential Buildings: Buildings with common areas, such as blocks of flats, require an FRA for communal spaces, typically conducted by the building owner, management company or housing association.
Fire Risk Appraisals External Wall (FRAEW)
The purpose of a Fire Risk Appraisal and Assessment of External Wall (FRAEW) in line with PAS 9980 is to provide a structured methodology for evaluating the fire risk posed by the external wall construction and cladding of multi-occupancy residential buildings.
Since the introduction of the Fire Safety Act 2021, it is now a legal requirement for the responsible person of a building to understand the external wall construction including the window, doors and any specified attachments.
The FRAEW assesses materials and construction methods used in the external wall system, including cladding, insulation and other façade elements, to determine any fire risks. By evaluating the combustibility and fire behaviour of these materials, the report highlights any potential hazards.
PAS 9980 offers a consistent, risk-based approach to appraise and assess fire risks based on the building’s height, occupancy, location and fire safety provisions. This framework ensures that buildings are assessed proportionally to their specific characteristics, allowing for practical, tailored recommendations.
The FRAEW provides building owners and managers with clear risk gradings and actionable recommendations. This helps in deciding whether any remedial work is needed to mitigate fire risks, such as upgrading fire-stopping, replacing cladding or enhancing compartmentation
Peer Review
The purpose of a peer review of a technical document is to ensure accuracy, reliability and quality before publication or implementation.
A peer review examines the document’s content, methodology and conclusions, providing an objective assessment.
The objective is to help identify any errors, inconsistencies or gaps that could affect the document’s validity or effectiveness. They are a crucial and cost-effective resource for responsible persons to verify findings, ensure conclusions are proportionate and improve clarity. Additionally, peer reviews help enhance credibility, as a document reviewed by knowledgeable peers is more likely to be trusted by end users and stakeholders.
Compartmentation Surveys
A compartmentation survey is conducted to assess the effectiveness of fire-resisting barriers within a building.
The purpose is to ensure that fire compartmentation (walls, floors, doors and other barriers designed to contain fire and smoke) meet required safety standards and can prevent the spread of fire for a specified duration as determined by the building’s fire strategy.
This survey is critical for identifying any breaches, defects or areas where fire-stopping is insufficient or has deteriorated over time. By evaluating the integrity of these barriers, a compartmentation survey supports compliance with fire safety regulations, helps protect occupants and minimises potential fire damage to property.
Client Testimonials
Why you should work with CFFT
At the Centre for Fire and Façade Technology, we are committed to delivering exceptional bespoke fire safety and engineering services, tailored to meet the needs of every client. Here’s why we’re the trusted choice for safeguarding Britain’s buildings:
Proven Expertise
With years of experience in fire engineering and façade technology, our team has an extensive track record of successfully addressing complex fire safety challenges. We bring extensive knowledge and a commitment to compliance with the latest regulations and standards, including PAS 9980 and the Building Safety Act.
Regulatory Compliance
Our work is firmly rooted in up-to-date fire safety legislation and guidance. We ensure your projects meet all statutory requirements, providing peace of mind and mitigating liability.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
We work with landlords, developers, architects and building managers of prestigious and complex properties, earning their trust through consistent excellence and reliability.
Comprehensive Services
From fire risk assessments and compartmentation surveys to bespoke fire safety strategies and façade risk appraisals, we offer a full suite of fire engineering solutions designed to protect lives, assets and properties.
Clear, Concise Reporting
We pride ourselves on delivering technical excellence in a way that’s accessible to all stakeholders. Our reports are clear, detailed and written to suit varying levels of expertise.
Innovative and Practical Approaches
Our team combines cutting-edge fire engineering techniques with practical, cost-effective strategies to ensure your projects meet functional and safety requirements without compromise.
Tailored Solutions
Every project is unique and so are our solutions. We work closely with you to understand your specific needs and provide bespoke advice and recommendations.
Commitment to Safety
Fire safety is at the core of everything we do. Our dedication to safeguarding lives and ensuring the resilience of buildings is reflected in the thoroughness and precision of our work.
Nationwide Coverage
Based in Wiltshire, we work throughout the South of England and cover all areas as far north as Birmingham.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us today for bespoke fire safety solutions to protect your property. Trust us, the specialists, making Britain’s buildings safer.