Latest News from Pyro Fire and the Fire Safety Industry

Posted on 6 July 2021

Building Safety Bill has been introduced to Parliament

Big News for Fire Safety! The Building Safety Bill sets a clear pathway for the future on how residential buildings should be constructed and maintained. Strengthening the building safety system and delivering on recommendations made in Dame Judith’s Independent Review, the bill sets out clear duties and responsibilities on those who commission, design, construct and refurbish high-risk buildings as well as those responsible for ensuring buildings are safely managed and...

Posted on 9 June 2021

Scunthorpe takeaway owner ‘knowingly puts lives at risk’

A flagrant breach of a Prohibition Notice has cost the owner of Star’s Pizza on Old Brumby Street in Scunthorpe a £3,000 fine and around £12,500 in costs. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) brought the prosecution after Mustafa Gunes knowingly put the safety of his employees and those using the living space above the shop in jeopardy. The breaches also put the lives of customers at risk. The Prohibition...

Posted on 18 March 2021

Fire safety infringement unlimitedly fined under government measures

The Home Office has announced new regulations under the Fire Safety Order to strengthen and guarantee buildings and people’s safety. Every construction will be required to have a well-recorded fire risk assessment and anybody caught breaching the fire safety regulations will be subject to limitless fines. Roy Wilsher, National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, said: “Ultimately, we want to see safer buildings for residents and are committed to working constructively with...

Posted on 2 February 2021

£30 million Waking Watch Relief Fund announced

Funding targeted for residents living in high-rise structures can now access financial support to make their buildings safer. The Waking Watch Relief Fund is available across England with £22 million targeted at cities with most high-rise buildings that currently have unsafe cladding including Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool, Greater London, Bristol and Newcastle. Aimed at protecting leaseholders from the high costs of Waking Watches by providing financial support for...

Posted on 10 December 2020

UPDATED: PAS 79:2020 edition

Following public comment, the most widely-adopted code of practice for fire risk assessment has finally had its biggest update since 2012. Now split into two separate documents, PAS 79-1 covers ‘Premises Other Than Housing’ and PAS 79-2 deals with ‘Housing Premises’. The new documents give further guidance on the consideration to be given to external wall construction and cladding, which takes into account knowledge, current at the time of publication,...

Posted on 2 December 2020

Fire safety inspections imminent for buildings across South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue have announced their new project to inspect all high-rise residential buildings across South Yorkshire, over 18 metres or with six or more storeys, by the end of next year. This comes as part of a Government-driven ‘Building Risk Review’. The program involves commissioning research to develop an evidence base on fire safety risk in buildings, in order to assist building owners in the prioritisation of...

Posted on 22 September 2020

Are your Fire Doors fit for purpose?

All landlords and business owners have a legal obligation to ensure their premises, and the people that use them, are appropriately protected against fire. From regular maintenance to fire risk assessments, it is vital to ensure fire safety measures are taken seriously. Fire doors hold a vital role in the fire protection of a building. They are designed to prevent the spread of smoke, flames and toxic gases in the event of...

Posted on 20 August 2020

The Case for Stay-Put Policies

Recently in our Instagram Stories we talked about ‘Stay-Put Policies’ for apartment blocks and asked whether you thought they were safe. The overriding response was the majority think Stay-Put is unsafe. But is that correct? Stay-put policies are designed to be safer than a normal simultaneous evacuation policy. However, more and more landlords are opting to go for simultaneous (one out, all out) in light of the events at...

Posted on 8 July 2020

What Fire Plans do I need for my Building?

It’s easy to get confused between the different types of plans, procedures, assessments and documents you need for your building to keep occupants safe. Fire Evacuation Plans, Fire Strategy Plans (Compartmentation Plans), Fire Alarm Zone Plans, Emergency Procedures – what’s the difference and do I need them all? If you are responsible for a workplace or a building, you are responsible for adopting the right procedures and behaviours when it...

Posted on 30 March 2020

Government Announces New Fire Safety Bill

On Thursday 19th March the Government proposed a new Fire Safety Bill to improve fire safety in buildings in England and Wales, placing a legal requirement on residential building owners to inspect cladding and fire doors. The bill will amend the Fire Safety Order 2005 to clarify that the responsible person or duty-holder for multi-occupied, residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk for fire for: The structure and external walls...

News

Building Safety Bill has been introduced to Parliament

Scunthorpe takeaway owner ‘knowingly puts lives at risk’

Fire safety infringement unlimitedly fined under government measures

£30 million Waking Watch Relief Fund announced

UPDATED: PAS 79:2020 edition

Fire safety inspections imminent for buildings across South Yorkshire

Are your Fire Doors fit for purpose?

The Case for Stay-Put Policies

What Fire Plans do I need for my Building?

Government Announces New Fire Safety Bill

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