Altieri’s Post

Building Control is changing so if you are unsure give Geoff a shout. if you need a documented system of policies and procedures to follow to help you achieve compliance that's where we are Quensh HSEQ Specialists come in.

Exciting changes are reshaping the role of building inspectors in England and Wales, with the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and mandatory certification by April 6, 2024. Emphasizing competence and accountability, inspectors will now be known as Registered Building Inspectors, focusing solely on inspections than providing design advise. While the transition may pose challenges, it aims to enhance industry standards and confidence post-Grenfell. Read more about this transformative shift in building regulation: #BuildingSafety #Construction #RegulationEvolution

FSS ACADEMY INTRODUCTION: Fire alarms are essential components of building safety, designed to detect fire hazards and alert occupants to potential danger. In Canada, these systems must comply with ULC standards to ensure reliability and effectiveness. This overview covers the basics of fire alarm systems, including their purposes, key components, and the importance of proper installation and integration with other safety functions. Understanding these fundamentals is crucial for anyone involved in building design, construction, or management. Fire alarms are crucial for safety, detecting and signaling fires to protect lives and property. Adherence to ULC standards ensures reliability, essential for architects, engineers, and building owners in Canada. What is a Fire Alarm System? Detects smoke, fire, or CO gas and alerts occupants with sound and light signals. Tailored to building size and complexity, integrating with other safety functions (e.g., visual signals, voice communication). 4 Key Purposes Detect Fire: Senses smoke, heat, and monitors sprinkler systems. Alert Occupants: Uses audible (bells, horns) and visual (strobes) signals. Auxiliary Functions: Controls building systems (elevators, HVAC) to prevent fire spread. Notify Authorities: Alerts fire departments via monitoring systems. Initiating Devices Manual: Pull stations. Automatic: Smoke, heat, CO detectors, sprinkler switches, flame detectors. Notification Devices Types: Strobes, bells, horns, speakers. Power: Primary (120V/240V AC) and backup (24V DC batteries). Alarm Tones Bells, horns, sirens, and speakers produce specific tones to alert occupants

Start Building Like a Fire Safety Expert: Steal This Checklist to Ace Safety Codes As a fire safety consultant, I've seen brilliant designs fail safety inspections. But here's the Effective Solution: fire-safe building design is certainly a big challenge but not for the experienced Consultants—it's about smart planning and execution. Did you know? Buildings adhering to advanced fire safety standards can increase property value by up to 7%. That's not just safety; it's smart business. Here's how can you go about simplified fire safety design: 1️⃣ Compartmentation: • Use fire-resistant materials to divide buildings into sections • Install fire doors with appropriate fire-resistance ratings 2️⃣ Escape Routes: • Design multiple, clearly marked exit paths • Ensure staircases are pressurized to prevent smoke infiltration 3️⃣ Fire Detection: • Install addressable fire alarm systems • Use multi-sensor detectors for reduced false alarms 4️⃣ Suppression Systems: • Implement automatic sprinkler systems throughout • Consider water mist systems for sensitive areas 5️⃣ Smoke Control: • Design natural or mechanical smoke extraction systems • Install smoke barriers in crucial areas 6️⃣ Electrical Safety: • Use fire-resistant cables and proper cable management • Install emergency lighting and power systems 7️⃣ Accessibility: • Ensure fire truck access to all building sides • Design for easy firefighter entry and movement Pro Tip: Engage a fire safety consultant early. It's 5 times cheaper to design it right than to retrofit later. Remember: Every design decision is a safety decision. Are you building for the future or setting the stage for disaster? Ready to design buildings that are both safe and valuable? Let's collaborate. Act Masters Private Limited - Where Safety Meets Design Excellence. #FireSafety #ElectricalSafety #Safety #EmployeeSafety

Cape Town. A fire engineering perspective. The Mother city is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Cape Town has an outstanding reputation for its natural beauty, the depth of the various cultures that call it home, and the influx of "semigrationers" is proof that the population of South Africa is taking notice. However, no change happens without some risk. Many businesses are creating a footprint in Cape Town, and they have to occupy space, move into buildings, or build new. This article does not address the processes involved in building new premises but will focus on businesses who may be interested in purchasing or leasing existing premises within the city. A large part of the charm of Cape Town is the architecture. Much effort has gone into preserving the older buildings and there are many noble organizations working hard to keep these older structures. But old buildings, charming as they may be, cannot stand as empty monuments to times gone by. They must still serve a purpose, either as the home of functional businesses, or as museums to a bygone era. These buildings were not designed to serve a modern purpose and are often not compliant with modern fire safety legislation. It is therefore important to consider how these spaces are being re-purposed, and to ensure that the safety of occupants and users are not compromised in any way. It is therefore important for business owners and occupiers of older buildings to ensure that their activities are conducted in a safe space, and that they take adequate measures to protect these older buildings and their businesses. Qualified and experienced Fire Safety Consultants can assess the risk effectively and make recommendations that will ensure that risks are minimized and managed. Ideally, a fire risk consultant should be engaged on a retainer basis where he/she can perform regular surveys and provide up to date information to insurance brokers, insurers and owners.

How much do you know about the crucial aspects of 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻? 🔥 The design process plays a pivotal role in ensuring fire safety, encompassing multiple facets vital for protecting lives and property. Here are some key considerations: a) Are safe means of escape factored into your building's design? Think about staircase placement and smoke prevention measures to enable swift and secure evacuations during a fire. b) Have you considered the building's shape, size, and layout to facilitate easy access for firefighting services? It's essential for quick and efficient response. c) Are you evaluating the fire performance of materials, products, and systems? Using them appropriately in construction can make all the difference. d) Are passive fire protection and compartmentation measures in place? They help contain and prevent the spread of fires, limiting damage and danger. e) Have you incorporated specialist advice from active fire protection systems and firefighting services? Early detection, suppression, and support to firefighters are crucial. f) What about addressing human factors in fire safety? Understanding the causes of fires and human behaviour during incidents is essential for effective prevention and response. g) Lastly, don't forget day-to-day operational factors that affect fire safety and first responders' ability to intervene effectively. Share your insights on these aspects of fire safety in building design, and let's work together towards a safer environment for all.

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Services – Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are considerations of the design and maintenance of any building, but especially residential. Article 17 – RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be maintained in a suitable condition and working order. If you are the Responsible Person, it’s imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order. Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections, condition reports, remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members. Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective. The implementation of Yeoman Shield Fire Rated Door Protection products can also be in the long term financially beneficial by halting impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles. Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as, door protection panels, door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested, in situ, to the current standard required. Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting. For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield.com or visit buff.ly/2PJyYh5 (http://buff.ly/2PJyYh5) or see the advert page 10. Read More:

*Safety First: Daily safety dose* 📢 *Understanding Fire Load Calculation and OSHA Standards* 🚒 Fire load, the amount of heat released during the complete combustion of combustible materials in a building, is a critical factor in fire protection design 🔥. Accurate fire load calculations help determine appropriate fire suppression systems, evacuation routes, and overall fire safety measures 📝. *Fire Load Calculation Formula:* 🤔 Total Fire Load = Σ (Quantity of Material * Heat of Combustion) Where: - Σ = Summation - Quantity of Material = Mass or volume of the material - Heat of Combustion = Energy released per unit mass or volume of the material during combustion *Example:* 📝 Consider a room with the following combustible materials: - 100 square feet of wood flooring (heat of combustion: 8,000 BTU/lb) - 50 square feet of gypsum wallboard (heat of combustion: 1,500 BTU/lb) - 200 pounds of office furniture (heat of combustion: 7,000 BTU/lb) Total fire load = (100 sq ft * 8,000 BTU/lb) + (50 sq ft * 1,500 BTU/lb) + (200 lb * 7,000 BTU/lb) = 1,750,000 BTU *OSHA Fire Safety Standards:* 📚 - *OSHA 1910.155:* Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks: Addresses fire safety requirements for powered industrial trucks and other mobile equipment, including fire extinguishers and fire alarms 🚒. - *OSHA 1910.157:* Standard for Electrical Installations: Provides guidelines for electrical safety to prevent fires caused by electrical faults 💡. - *OSHA 1910.252:* Standard for Welding, Cutting, and Brazing: Addresses fire hazards associated with welding and cutting operations 🔩. - *OSHA 1910.255:* Standard for Cranes and Derricks: Establishes safety requirements for cranes and derricks, including fire prevention measures 🏗️. - *OSHA 1910.265:* Standard for Construction Workplaces: Provides general safety requirements for construction sites, including fire prevention and protection 🏗️. *Additional Considerations:* 🤔 - *Fire Load Density:* Consider the fire load density, which is the total fire load per unit area. This helps determine the intensity of a potential fire 🔥. - *Compartmentalization:* Fire-resistant walls and doors can help compartmentalize a building, limiting the spread of fire and smoke 🚪. - *Sprinkler Systems:* Design sprinkler systems to provide adequate water coverage for the calculated fire load 💧. - *Ventilation:* Ensure proper ventilation to control smoke and heat buildup 💨. *Quote for Emphasis:* 💡 "Accurate fire load calculations and compliance with OSHA fire safety standards are essential for creating a safer and more resilient building environment." 🏗️ *Strive for Safety, Strive for Excellence.* 💯

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Services – Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are considerations of the design and maintenance of any building, but especially residential. Article 17 – RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be maintained in a suitable condition and working order. If you are the Responsible Person, it’s imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order. Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections, condition reports, remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members. Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective. The implementation of Yeoman Shield Fire Rated Door Protection products can also be in the long term financially beneficial by halting impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles. Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as, door protection panels, door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested, in situ, to the current standard required. Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting. For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield.com or visit buff.ly/2PJyYh5 (http://buff.ly/2PJyYh5) or see the advert page 10. Read More: