Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, has partnered with Northamptonshire Police to help secure its new headquarters in Kettering.

Fire safety remains top of the agenda following the Dame Judith Hackitt Review and the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster. Whilst much of the debate has centred around the use of combustible cladding and the need to improve fire safety management systems, there are strong calls from the industry to tighten the law on the installation of fire suppression methods too. Antony Corbett, Product Manager for Geberit Piping Systems, examines the case for mandatory sprinkler installations into existing properties.

One year on since the Grenfell tragedy, the building services industry must be prepared for a far more rigorous approach to fire safety testing, according to Andrew Collard*.

Last summer, after decades on the side-lines, fire safety was finally centre-stage – for the worst possible reasons.

Fire resistant glazing plays a key role in creating buildings that give occupiers or users safe routes of escape in the event of an emergency. But as the spotlight falls on the fundamental question of how effective passive fire protection products actually are, it is vitally important that what we think we know is correct in terms of designing and installing fire resistant glazing, writes Cath McLean, Segment Manager for Glass at Promat UK.

According to the Health and Safety Executive¹ (HSE), approximately 609,000 cases of reportable work-related accidents occur in the UK each year. Thankfully, fatal injuries at work are infrequent, but the most common cause is falling from height (28%). These accidents often involve ladders.

FILA has introduced a new RIBA-approved CPD presentation, entitled “Ceramic and porcelain – how a correct cleaning regime can safeguard slip resistance”. The new seminar examines surface maintenance and its importance in terms of health and safety, giving advice on correct specification, with examples of high profile UK case studies.

There can be no doubt about it – radiant tube is the acknowledged leader when it comes to heating large multi-use sports hall. Whichever way you look at it – comfort levels, economy, ease of maintenance, safety – overhead radiant systems are so far ahead of the competition that they can’t see it for dust.

Tall buildings continue to play a significant role in meeting our housing and workspace needs with high-rise curtain wall systems being one of the most recognisable components of today’s tall buildings. But along with this has come the increasing importance of passive fire protection solutions playing a vital role in these buildings, mitigating the effects of fire, saving lives and property.

Considering the significant amount of our time we spend outside of our own homes – in offices and in public buildings such as schools, hospitals and shops – we’d hope that all the materials and equipment of which they’re comprised are safe from fire hazards and other risks, writes Koen ter Linde, Vice President of enterprise in Europe, CommScope.