Fire safety is a crucial consideration at every stage of a construction project. With the increasing emphasis on building safety, fire risks must be assessed and managed from the outset to avoid complications down the line. The Building Safety Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work offers a framework that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and key deliverables, helping project teams stay on track with fire safety regulations and compliance.
Here’s how we partner with you at every stage, making fire safety compliance seamless while keeping your projects aligned with the Building Safety Act.
RIBA Stage 0: Strategic Definition – Setting the Foundation
In the very early stages of the project, we help you identify and define fire safety objectives. Fire safety considerations should be integrated into project goals right from the start, ensuring that they are prioritised throughout the design and construction process. This early action sets a clear path for the subsequent stages, reducing the risk of overlooking crucial safety measures.
RIBA Stage 1: Preparation and Brief – Laying the Groundwork for Fire Safety
We collaborate with you and key stakeholders to develop a clear fire safety brief and outline design objectives. This process helps establish roles, responsibilities, and key deliverables for fire safety compliance early on. Preliminary fire safety assessments are also crucial to inform early design decisions, ensuring your project is aligned with safety regulations from the start.
RIBA Stage 2: Concept Design – Embedding Fire Safety in the Vision
As the design concept takes shape, we review the initial plans to ensure they adhere to fire safety principles, including the “Golden Thread” of fire safety. Our expert input focuses on layout considerations, materials selection, and identifying potential fire risks. Working closely with the design team, we help embed fire safety principles into the project concept, ensuring that safety is seamlessly integrated into the overall design.
RIBA Stage 3: Developed Design – Finalising Fire Safety Plans
At this stage, the fire safety design is documented in a comprehensive fire strategy report. We continue to review and refine the fire safety deliverables, ensuring that all aspects comply with relevant regulatory requirements. This includes assessing evacuation routes, fire resistance, and ensuring accessibility for emergency incidents. We also conduct a compliance review of designs produced by the wider design team, ensuring that every element meets fire safety standards.
RIBA Stage 4: Technical Design – Ensuring Compliance at a Detailed Level
During the technical design phase, we assist in producing or reviewing fire drawings and can assist with approvals from relevant third parties. Detailed fire safety evaluations are carried out to ensure compliance with all technical standards. We also work on finalising fire strategies and risk assessments, focusing on construction methods and material specifications. Our thorough approach ensures that no aspect of fire safety is overlooked before construction begins.
RIBA Stage 5: Construction – Monitoring Safety On-Site
As construction progresses, we stay involved where appointed to do so, to ensure that fire safety measures are being correctly implemented. We update the fire strategy report as necessary and provide ongoing inspections, audits, and advice to maintain compliance on-site. If any changes during construction might affect fire safety, we address them promptly, ensuring proper documentation and that all modifications align with fire safety requirements.
An example of this could be a change in materials: If the contractor decides to use a different cladding material than originally specified, which could potentially impact fire resistance, we would assess the new material’s fire safety performance and update the fire strategy report accordingly.
RIBA Stage 6: Handover and Closeout – Ensuring a Safe Transition
Before the project is handed over, depending on the contract we can observe the testing and commissioning of fire safety measures. We conduct final fire safety audits and ensure that all compliance documentation is in place, including an as-built fire strategy report. Our role in this phase ensures a smooth transition to facility management teams, who will continue to maintain the building’s fire safety systems.
RIBA Stage 7: In Use – Ongoing Fire Safety Management
Even after construction is completed, fire safety doesn’t stop. We support ongoing compliance and fire safety management throughout the life of the building. This includes fire risk assessments, staff fire safety training, emergency evacuation plans, regular testing and inspections of fire precautions, and fire management procedures. We stay aligned with evolving fire safety regulations, ensuring your building remains compliant and safe for its users.
Ensuring compliance at every stage of a construction project can be a complex task, but PB Safety makes it easier. From initial planning to completion and beyond, we equip you with the tools to stay organised, compliant, and on track.
Contact our team today to discover how PB Safety can assist with your next project. help today.
