Case Studies

Stowe School is a Grade listed independent boarding school based at Stowe House, Buckinghamshire. We were engaged to support a capacity enhancement project in the Grade I listed Chapel, working closely with the architect to establish the correct regulations, standards and guidance applicable to the project. We advised on door widths, travel distances and the provisions required to achieve the capacity upgrade, and documented our conclusions within a fire safety strategy report for Building Control.

The education academy spans 15,000 sq ft across three floors, comprising teaching spaces, food and science labs, dance studios and kitchens. Several upgrades and renovations were made throughout the site, requiring the fire strategy to be revisited. We were involved early in the process, working closely with the design team to review layout changes and ensure compliance with relevant codes. We consolidated all findings into a robust fire safety strategy document which was accepted by both Building Control and the London Fire Brigade.

Harris Academy Ockendon is an existing secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18, with a main building constructed in the 1960s and several subsequent extensions including an English block, MFL block, EcoCentre and Sports Hall. The different blocks are interlinked, creating various courtyard spaces. We were tasked with producing a retrospective fire safety strategy for building management, in support of ongoing operations and fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Cube is a detached purpose-built five-storey block of flats comprising 78 self-contained dwellings with an 800m² footprint. We were instructed to undertake a FRAEW in line with PAS 9980 alongside a Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment. We undertook multiple site visits involving intrusive investigations both internally and externally, and produced two detailed reports setting out the outcome of our assessments, findings from site visits, and recommendations to ensure the ongoing safety of residents.

The hospital was integrating a new Gamma Room into the existing building. We worked closely with the design and on-site fire engineering teams to review layouts and identify non-compliances including internal rooms and extended travel distances, all in line with HTM 05-02. Our design input resulted in modified layouts to reduce risk, with additional provisions specified to address extended travel distances. The completed fire strategy report was approved by the hospital’s fire team, and we continued to provide support during the construction stage to ensure material selections met our specified requirements.

A 75-bed new build care home with a footprint of approximately 10,000 sq ft. The project had previously been rejected by the planning authority and fire service due to a significant number of non-compliances. We worked with the revised design team to review layouts, introduce additional compartmentation, provide smoke control provisions, and relocate doors to ensure the building would function correctly from a fire safety perspective — while preserving the 75-bed capacity the client required. Our work was well received and ultimately signed off by both Building Control and the fire service.

Energym Gym is a proposed fit-out occupying ground and mezzanine levels within a large commercial unit at 104–110 The Broadway, a high-rise mixed-use development of ten storeys above ground. We undertook a design review of the architectural plans, providing proposed modifications from a fire design perspective. We subsequently developed a RIBA 3 Fire Strategy Report detailing the provisions required to satisfy Parts B1 to B5 of the Building Regulations. The report was accepted by the London Borough Council and Building Control.

We were engaged by a major airport operator to assess the fire risk associated with a fleet of electric coach stock and the potential for flame spread to adjacent vehicles. We developed a bespoke methodology to demonstrate our understanding of this novel challenge, undertaking calculations to determine heat release rates from the battery systems and an optioneering study evaluating several mitigation options with their respective benefits and drawbacks. The client incorporated our recommendations into their fire safety provisions.

West Reading is an existing station where we were engaged to develop the fire strategy for a new single-storey extension proposed beneath the existing rail bridge, comprising a ticket hall, kiosk, ticket office and sanitary accommodation. Working with the design team, we calculated merging flows and determined the required exit widths for the new extension. We also advised on property protection provisions and the potential impact of a station fire on the operating railway. Our fire strategy report was accepted by Network Rail.

Network Rail required a fire safety strategy for three new business and industrial units, each approximately 100m², at Newbury Railway Station. Working at Grip 5 Stage with the design team, we developed a fire strategy in line with BS 9999, demonstrating the risk profile of the units and determining the appropriate fire detection system specification as well as any travel distance non-compliances. Our report provided the design team with clear guidance to progress the project.

Goldsmiths' Hall is an existing Grade I listed building in the City of London, opened in 1835. The seven-storey building serves as both an administrative headquarters and events venue. We were instructed to produce a retrospective fire safety strategy, a bespoke fire evacuation plan and a fire risk assessment. Our scope included calculating occupancy numbers following changes to the building and developing a tailored fire evacuation plan for use when events are held on the first floor.

An existing London stadium was being expanded to increase crowd capacity and create a community football hub, with the scheme including 114 new homes across higher-risk buildings (over 18m), commercial units, cafes, bars and classroom spaces. We were involved at the earliest pre-planning stages, supporting through design workshops to review the scheme against the Green Guide, assigning a risk rating to determine maximum permitted emergency egress times, advising on fire service vehicle access, and working with the client and Council to agree evacuation via an adjoining public car park. We produced a detailed fire safety strategy demonstrating regulatory compliance.

Richmond and Wandsworth Council had six proposed sites for electric vehicle chargers, spanning open-air car parks, rooftop facilities and basement locations. We produced six bespoke fire risk assessments, each identifying site-specific hazards and risks, appropriate mitigation measures, and best practice recommendations covering charger locations, spacing between charge points and electrical fire suppression. For the rooftop and basement sites, a full detailed fire safety strategy was also recommended.

Working with architect TP Bennett, we supported the design and development of a new three-storey office building with ground floor reception, office areas and a gym. We provided fire engineering support from RIBA Stage 2 through to RIBA Stage 4, chairing design workshops, producing marked-up architectural plan reviews and delivering a RIBA 4 fire safety strategy for the finalised design. Using BS 9999 as the principal guidance document, we addressed the building risk profile, fire alarm specification, merging flow calculations and external fire spread. The fire safety strategy was accepted and the project progressed to construction.

Plonk Crazy Golf occupies four interconnected masonry arches supporting the roadway above, with two floors (basement and ground) served by a single staircase. We were asked to review proposed design changes, assess the existing detection system and develop a fire safety strategy for submission to Building Control and the fire service. We advised on the staircases available and identified the specific modifications required to make the venue compliant and safe for public use.

This project involved an existing large commercial building from which a significant portion of the UK's internet infrastructure operates. We were engaged to provide fire design support for the construction of a new HV Switchroom to replace the existing installation. We assessed several potential locations and provided detailed advice on the fire safety benefits and drawbacks of each, including the provisions required to meet both Building Regulations and the client's own property protection standards. The client relocated their Switchroom in line with our recommendations.

100 Bishopsgate is a landmark tall development comprising three towers of up to 43 storeys in central London. The Fazenda restaurant occupies two commercial units at ground floor, mezzanine and first floor levels of the podium building. We were engaged to develop the fire safety strategy for the restaurant fit-out, using BS 9999 as the principal guidance document to support a design that achieved the required occupancy numbers. The strategy received sign-off from both Building Control and the London Fire Brigade.

We developed a five-stage methodology to support the client from BSR registration through to delivery of a comprehensive Building Safety Case. We compiled a missing information report and Key Building Information document by reviewing all available historical records. We are subsequently supporting the client in producing the missing documentation, including architectural plans, structural surveys, PAS 9980 surveys, fire safety strategies and fire stopping surveys — all of which will form the evidence base for a Building Safety Case demonstrating that risks are reduced to ALARP.

Across two residential developments, we developed the same five-stage methodology to take the client from BSR registration to a completed Building Safety Case. Following a comprehensive review of all available historical documentation, we produced a missing information report and Key Building Information document and are supporting the client in compiling the outstanding information required — including architectural plans, PAS 9980 surveys, fire safety strategies and fire stopping surveys — to build a robust safety case demonstrating ALARP compliance.

The Marriott Hotel is an existing mixed-use development of up to nine floors, with hotel accommodation across all levels and commercial units at ground floor. The proposed works involved combining two adjacent ground floor units into a single large restaurant with an internal fit-out. As part of our review we recommended a suppression system and provided detailed advice on travel distances, structural fire resistance and occupancy numbers. Our swift turnaround allowed the project to complete ahead of the client’s planned programme.

Seven Brethren is a large residential development comprising two blocks of flats (six and four storeys respectively) alongside 21 terraced and semi-detached houses. We were engaged to produce a planning fire safety strategy and complete the Gateway 1 fire statement. We hosted an online workshop with the design team at the outset, raising fire issues that required resolution prior to submission. Following receipt of finalised drawings, we delivered a detailed planning fire safety strategy within 24 hours, enabling the client to submit their planning application on time with full confidence that all fire safety matters had been addressed.