EDITOR ' S CHOICE
FIRE SAFETY ENHANCED BY ALUPROF
By Wojciech Brożyna - MD Aluprof UK
Leading aluminium systems company , Aluprof , well known for providing high performance fire resistant glazed screens , doors , windows and curtain walls , now supply fire resistant glass to complete their systems offer . The new company ‘ Glassprof ’, whose headquarters are located in Ogrodzona in Poland , specialises in the production of fire-resistant glass and the processing of glazed units that work in harmony with Aluprof ’ s fire rated aluminium systems . This is a first for the aluminium systems industry and allows Aluprof UK to offer a single , tested source of supply for fire rated fenestration installation across the UK & Ireland .
Fire resistant fenestration systems are used both internally and externally to reduce the risk of the spread of fire whilst offering occupants safe routes of escape . Whilst specified on construction of various building types , who is responsible for maintaining these systems so that they perform correctly on the outbreak of a fire ? According to the Regulatory Reform ( Fire Safety ) Order 2005 ( RRFSO ), the landlord or building manager is designated as the ' responsible person ' for fire safety . This individual is legally obligated to implement adequate and suitable fire safety measures . Consequently , one of their primary responsibilities is to conduct a fire risk assessment .
The fire risk assessment serves to identify potential fire hazards , provide recommendations for risk reduction , and document the implementation of these recommendations . It is a systematic approach to recognising fire risks and taking proactive measures to lessen their likelihood and potential consequences . This assessment encompasses not only potential ignition sources but also evaluates the adequacy and accessibility of escape routes , fire doors , fire safety equipment , and the effectiveness of compartmentation , which involves constructing parts of a building to inhibit the spread of fire to other areas or adjacent properties .
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 , fire safety regulations for multi-occupancy residential buildings have undergone significant review , leading to the enactment of the Fire Safety Act 2021 . This legislation clarifies the responsibilities and procedures related to fire safety in such properties . Additionally , following the Grenfell incident , the PAS 79:2020 was introduced , offering more detailed guidance on fire risk assessments specifically for landlords and building managers .
The new Building Safety Act ( BSA ) building control framework was fully implemented in April 2024 , and the industry is beginning to grasp the practical implications of the new Gateway approval process for high-risk buildings ( HRBs ).
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