AMBAR KELLY DIRECTOR RAISES KEY FIRE SAFETY CHALLENGES AT MAJOR UK CONFERENCE

December 20 2024

Keen to improve industry competence and drive fire safety standards forward, Ambar Kelly Director Nick Atkinson highlighted the critical fire safety challenges facing the built environment at the recent Tall Buildings Fire Safety Conference at London ExCeL.

The three-day event, that took place between 2^nd December and 4^th December, brought together the tall building industry’s key decision makers and foremost names to discuss the issues and regulation developments impacting the built environment.

Nick’s key speech focused on the critical fire safety challenges in construction, highlighting the hidden risks posed by risers, the stacked openings in buildings that later become shafts and function as chimneys.

For instance, 75% of the tall buildings under construction in London are using GRP riser floor products made from Euroclass C combustible materials. While these products prevent falls, they overlook the severe risk of smoke and flame spread.

With the shafts often concealed once buildings are completed, the issue can remain a blind spot in construction and mask the ongoing threat to safety.

Nick underlined just how non-combustible materials can not only ensure greater fall protection for those working in the riser shaft but also act as a horizontal fire break to significantly reduce the spread of fire and smoke.

The discussions also brought sharply into focus the fact the industry continues to rely on outdated, high-risk solutions, increasing the need for more accountability – especially when it comes to the use of combustible materials.

He also emphasised the importance of improving knowledge and understanding when it comes to the use of non-combustible materials, especially given there is a perceived notion that they are more expensive than their combustible alternatives.

Director Nick Atkinson stressed the importance of being able to highlight the major challenges facing the industry and underlined his pride at being invited to speak at the conference.

He said: “It was an absolute honour to be able to speak at the conference and raise concerns over fire safety in the construction industry. While the updated fire safety regulations are attempting to improve accountability and encourage those in the industry to utilise non-combustible materials, often specifiers will choose outdated and combustible alternatives due to a lack of understanding and misconceived ideas of cost-effectiveness.

“It’s down to everyone in the industry to ensure that the hidden risks of risers are exposed and increase awareness of the importance of non-combustible solutions – with the overall aim of enhancing the safety of contractors and occupants.”