Fire Engineering
Whether you’re working on a new construction project or renovating a building, it’s crucial to ensure that all fire safety measures are followed during design, planning, and construction. Firntec ensures that your fire safety responsibilities are managed professionally throughout the project.
What is our Construction Engineering Fire Consultancy?
A Fire Safety Engineer is typically employed to ensure that a building design achieves the functional requirements of fire safety legislation or other fire safety objectives whilst not impacting on the architects vision.
At Firntec, we are dedicated to offering high-quality fire engineering support and consultancy services to architects, building designers, and managers across all stages of construction outlined by RIBA.
During the building design phases, we tailor cost-effective solutions based on your specific needs. These solutions prioritise efficiency and flexibility while strictly adhering to the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document ‘B.’
The Fire Strategy we develop serves as a crucial tool for gaining approval from Building Control Bodies (BCB) and Fire & Rescue Service (FRS). It becomes the fire safety ‘blueprint’ referenced throughout the entire lifecycle of the building.
Strategic Definition
This initial stage assesses the business case and strategic brief to ensure clarity of purpose. It defines the project scope and supports informed decision-making before design begins. Activities may include risk analysis, budget review, site surveys, and identifying the most suitable project option.
Preparation & Briefing
Define safety-critical requirements, including spatial layouts that support safe evacuation, fire strategy, and compliance with regulations. Information is gathered to inform safe design decisions, and feasibility studies may be undertaken to ensure spatial and safety standards are achievable. A clear project brief is created, along with an agreed budget, timeline, and project execution plan
Concept Design
Following feasibility and brief development, concept design focuses on embedding building safety from the outset. The team prepares a design that balances engineering requirements, outline specifications, and the project’s safety strategies. This includes early planning for structural resilience, fire safety, and regulatory compliance. Clients and stakeholders are engaged in design reviews to ensure the concept aligns with both expectations and legal obligations, reducing risk as the project progresses.
Spatial Coordination
Now a distinct stage in the RIBA 2020 Plan of Work, spatial coordination involves testing the concept design against engineering and safety requirements. This includes verifying fire safety layouts, structural designs, and services coordination through studies and modelling. The process ensures alignment with the project’s cost plan, specifications, and overall safety strategy.
Technical Design
Following detailed design, the technical design stage finalises all drawings and specifications needed to begin construction. Architectural and engineering components are developed in full, including fire safety systems, structural supports, and compliance with Building Safety Act requirements. Specialist subcontractor information is integrated and reviewed for accuracy. Coordination at this stage ensures all building systems are designed to work together safely and efficiently, setting a strong foundation for compliant delivery on site.
Manufacturing and Construction
The Manufacturing and Construction stage, introduced in the 2020 RIBA Plan of Work, focuses on the safe delivery of the built asset. Tasks include manufacturing key systems, managing site operations, addressing technical queries, and quality-checking safety-critical elements like fire stopping, alarms, and emergency systems. A building manual is prepared, and commissioning is completed in line with the construction programme. When all work meets required standards, the practical completion certificate is issued, signifying readiness for handover.
Handover
Handover may refer to the site transfer at project start or the final delivery to the client. It also applies to ecological responsibilities passed between parties during the project lifecycle. At this stage, the focus is on reviewing the building’s performance, rectifying defects, and launching aftercare services. Safety critical documentation such as commissioning records, compliance certificates, and evacuation plans is handed over, ensuring the client has everything needed to manage the building safely from day one.
Use
Stage 7, formerly known as ‘In Use’, once involved post-occupancy evaluation and reviews by the design and construction teams. Under the 2020 RIBA Plan of Work, these responsibilities typically fall to the client. However, consultants can still support by offering guidance on building safety performance, facilities management, energy use, maintenance, and tenant concerns. They may also assist with preparing tender documents for operational contracts, helping ensure the building remains compliant, safe, and efficient throughout its life
Bespoke Consultancy / Third Party Review
We know that at times you may have already got so far through the project stages and work cycle but may have come across challenges and complications or further complexities with the project in which there is further confidence required from third party company.
Firntec’s team of Engineers are here to provide the support with any project – this may involve:
- Where your Design Team are uncertain about another Consultants/Engineers work and required a 2nd opinion
- Where a surveyor or lender is assessing a property for acquisition to enable a business case and requires a detailed report constructed of the Fire Safety Standard to establish the buildings levels of compliance to the standards and whats required to bring it up to that
- Highly complex and unique projects which existing consultant/design team/contractors are not familiar with
- Working with the challenges of listed buildings.
