Marshall Fire offers a variety of essential fire consultancy services, from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Assessment to Structural Fire Engineering Analysis, Computational Evacuation Modelling (CEM), Fire Assessment In Lieu of Test, Third Party Review and Radiation Analysis.
Fire assessment in lieu of tests
Fire assessment(s) in lieu of tests can be a practical and proportionate step to assess test results to inform the likely fire performance of the specific design of a building. This can determine that non-fire tested arrangements can be safely used within buildings.
Third party review
Third party review (also called peer review) is often required on building projects. This is because they can support a fire engineered solution, or help you understand what has been presented to you.
This review will also identify the key drivers for the design approach – be this legislation, life safety or asset protection and insurance – and will deliver an evaluation of the suitability of the design in achieving stakeholder requirements. The best and most appropriate way to do this is to appoint an expert, like Marshall Fire Ltd.
Thermal radiation analysis (TRA) can be used to analyse simple or complex thermal radiation problems which could include fire spread between buildings and availability for egress via evacuation routes.
Smoke control
A major threat to life in enclosed spaces is smoke. Alongside the additional day-to-day environmental ventilation requirements, corridors, lobbies and enclosed car parks pose a significant challenge to achieve compliance and ensure occupant safety.
It’s crucial to implement an adequate system that will remove smoke quickly and efficiently in the event of a fire.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) fire modelling looks to solve equations describing the fluid flow and heat transfer from the growth and spread of fire. They predict smoke and heat movement in buildings of any design and are a key resource in fire engineering. When used correctly it can be a powerful design and safety tool.
When a building burns, the smoke inhalation or heat transfer can be more hazardous to life than the movement of the flames, so it is important to assess how this may occur in the event of a fire. This can then influence means of escape planning and the design of passive and active fire systems.
Using advanced software and technology we create a replica model of your project to graphically and numerically map the spread of flames, heat and smoke which we then use to make the most efficient fire strategy for your building, following the relevant statutory requirements and other fire safety objectives.
CFD fire modelling can be a powerful tool but only when used correctly. Marshall Fire employs experts in CFD fire modelling who use their many years of vast experience to competently utilise CFD fire modelling to predict potential fire behaviour and development.
Structural fire engineering is a technique which examines the impact of real fires on a building’s structure. It is a practical and cost-effective way to assess structural fire safety in large, multi-use buildings – such as sports stadiums and concert venues. It can also be applied to more typical structures such as offices, industrial units, airports, hospitals and shopping centres.
Including these structural fire analyses as part of the performance based solutions can deliver cost savings and allow flexibility in the type of structural fire protection applied.
It is important that the structure – whether it is steel, concrete or timber – is designed to be able to achieve an adequate standard of fire resistance. We work closely with the project engineers to ensure that fire safety is built into the design of the structure wherever it is required. This approach will save you time and money in the long term and will help you achieve a more innovative approach to building design.
You may also be considering property protection or business continuity as part of your project. Although building regulations are concerned primarily with life safety, structural fire engineering can contribute to these other aspects too.
Computational evacuation modelling (CEM) is a method of simulating a real-life fire event to predict evacuation times for areas and buildings. It is based on how people will react under the pressure of a fire, and when emotion, possible crowding and the response of the systems within the building come into play. This then allows greater flexibility in the means of escape provisions that create the most effective design solutions and fire evacuation strategies.
Although there are guidance documents available that specify certain features of fire evacuation design such as exit route width and occupant characteristics, fire evacuation modelling offers a more robust – and often more economical – solution.
Fire evacuation modelling is particularly valuable if it is necessary to predict the amount of time needed to evacuate a building. This is often referred to as the required safe egress time or RSET. In combination with smoke modelling, this can also be used to predict the time it will take for a real-life fire situation to become untenable – the available safe egress time or ASET.
Fire stopping, a key passive fire protection service, involves inspecting building compartments, joints, pipes and ducts to identify whether or not they adhere to rigorous fire safety standards. We work with fastidious attention to detail, drawing on our expert knowledge of building compliance. We have extensive experience in the construction industry, and offer construction stage support. We also consider basic functions such as acoustic ratings and thermal properties as part of a robust passive fire protection system. Our clients have peace of mind knowing they are implementing effective fire protection solutions.
Operational fire resisting doors are a vital passive fire protection measure and will be found in almost all buildings, providing protection to escape routes and areas of high fire risk. They are often subject to damage due to misuse or general wear and tear and should undergo regular review to ensure they continue to function properly. Fire door reviews allow for remedial work to be identified and subsequently implemented (by others) to ensure the spread of fire can be minimised and provide building occupants with additional time to escape.
Why use Marshall Fire? Our technical team of fire safety engineers and surveyors have a wealth of experience working on a variety of large and small projects across the UK. When delivering these projects, we work with all the stakeholders to arrive at a solution that fits the key life safety objectives.