Code Consulting + Fire Engineering

Codes and Standards require fire safety features based on a one-size fits all approach. While traditional compliance may be acceptable for many structures, it can limit design flexibility for many complex and state-of-the-art projects. Our engineers draw on advanced fire modelling techniques for alternative or performance-based designs as well as forensic applications to help achieve the desired vision and solve complex fire safety challenges.

Using our deep knowledge of code requirements and regulatory intent, our building code consultants help you create the most effective strategy, from audit and planning to project completion. Our code consulting services will help you navigate the complex landscape of regulatory agencies to reduce delays, manage costs and support construction timescales. We also help ensure that your building, industrial or infrastructure project is compliant with the latest legislation to mitigate risk and address design needs.

Our specialised team of Façade engineers, who are MSc-qualified SFE members with deep experience in facades and fire safety, collaborate with IFE chartered fire engineers to conduct comprehensive assessments. This integrated team specialises in evaluating the fire safety of external wall construction, from inception to on-site verification.

Fire and life safety are pivotal considerations in today’s building designs. The integration of fire alarm systems, fire protection, life safety, and other fire protection systems into the design of all building types is essential for safety, property protection and code compliance. As leaders among fire and life safety consultants, we're actively involved in the development process for many of the fire protection system codes and standards. This knowledge and experience allow us to prepare accurate, cost-effective, state-of-the-art fire protection design and property systems.

Site safety supervision and auditing help you identify the safety risks of a construction site. It also detects any incorrect installations from a fire safety standpoint early in the process, before any harm is done. Overlooked errors can cause schedule challenges and additional costs in commissioning the building and also potentially put lives at risk.

Our team is involved early in the design process to identify potential compliance issues and develop effective and efficient fire safety solutions that meet design needs. From there, we perform periodic reviews at key design stages to help resolve issues and develop solutions. This approach saves time and cost in design and construction phases.

Safe evacuation of the occupants from a building when there is a fire is a fundamental aspect of fire safety. Ensuring that this is built into the designs at the planning stage is critical and we have extensive experience in this area, covering routes, signage, lighting, sprinklers, doors and all the other aspects of thoroughly considered means of escape design. Every building must also have an emergency plan with procedures in place to test evacuation procedures.

Safety reports and rescue plans help prepare for accidents and emergencies and ensure that buildings are safe to evacuate. Safety reports guide a building’s design, while rescue plans guide the safe usage of the property after its completed. Safety reports are specifically required at the permit stage for buildings with evacuation safety challenges. Rescue plans are part of the self-preparedness requirement and mandatory for most large buildings, including educational establishments, restaurants, and industrial premises. We implement and manage safety measures in a variety of locations.

In the event of a fire, cost-effective, smoke ventilation systems can help minimize loss, prevent injury and reduce the risk of property damage. In addition to smoke ventilation design and overall fire safety management, we also assist in the testing and operation of existing smoke ventilation systems.

Poor structural integrity and insufficient fire safety measures can impact building performance and life safety. We collaborate across key specialty areas, providing problem-solving strategies founded in smart policy, innovative research and practical engineering. Our engineers are knowledgeable in advanced 3D analysis techniques and have vast experience in both structural fire-resistant design and fire analysis of steel, concrete, and masonry structures. We can also perform structural safety assessments to determine the extent of damage and repairs after a fire event.

Our experts were involved with the development and early application of mass timber criteria years before the International Code Council (ICC) adopted mass timber provisions in 2015. We serve on mass timber university studio panels, consult with wood laboratories and provide education to clients and industry associations to support ever-developing, modern uses for these green building products.