Latest News & Press Releases

2008 produced the highest UK peace time fire losses of all time, rising over the previous year by 16% to a record £1.3bn. That‘s why we must all play our part.

Why is this of relevance to me!
If you are involved in provision of a fire protection package, at any level, then you share liability for its usefulness and its operation when it‘s needed in fire, and that liability will still be there in the event of a court case.

I place the order; it is not my responsibility to install the works!
If it is your responsibility to specify the materials and/or appoint the installation contractor, it is also your responsibility to ensure that they can prove competency for the fire protection materials used, or the works to be carried out. It‘s no longer simply a duty of care or voluntary – it‘s a legal obligation.

If you knowingly ignore advice that leads to a failure in the fire performance of any element of installed fire protection within a building, then you are likely to be found to be just as culpable as the deficient installer.

You share liability for the provision of information required under Building Regulation 16B that tells the user of the building about the fire prevention measures provided in the building. Otherwise, the user cannot make an effective risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

What is expected of me?
In the event of fire, and deaths, a court will want to know how every fire protection system was selected; the basis for selection of the installer, whether adequate time was provided for its installation, and whether there was adequate liaison between the different parties to ensure it was installed correctly. No ifs, no buts – it‘s all contained in the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007.

The CDM 2007 regulations, enforced by Health and Safety Executive concentrate on managing the risk, and the health and safety of all those who build, those that use the building, those who maintain it and those that demolish it – cradle to grave.

Be aware – the time to consider the above is before the event, not after it!

Our agents in the United Arab Emirates, Haven Fire & Safety, have recently recruited Loida Joy as our Air Leakage Testing Co-ordinator. Loida, pictured at Haven’s Dubai headquarters, will be arranging annual air leakage tests for clients, new and existing, throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Mike Davis, South West Regional Manager of Checkmate with Martin Keightley, Fire Officer of Isle of Wight NHS Trust, at the handover of the FiredoorCheck survey report documents for St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight.

FiredoorCheck is a unique product, developed by Checkmate, that supplies a complete audit and Maintenance Plan for a buildings fire doors, using bespoke software to meet the requirements of The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order.

New website under construction - www.firedoorcheck.com

Alan Oliver, Managing Director of Checkmate with Kerry Hicks, National Sales Manager of Lorient U.K. during a visit to the Lorient offices and production facilities in Newton Abbot, Devon.

Lorient are global leaders in the development and manufacture of fire and smoke containment products and during the visit Checkmate were made Approved Installers for the Lorient range of products.

www.lorientuk.com

A recent article which appeared in FRM journal, Fire Risk Management - The International Journal for Fire Professionals, written by Alan Oliver of Checkmate Fire Solutions Ltd.

Building Momentum.
Passive fire protection on building projects needs to be client led, says Alan Oliver.

Under the Building Regulations in England and Wales, there is a requirement for main contractors to ensure that new or refurbished buildings are completed and handed over to the client in a fire-compliant state, in terms of means of escape and minimum life safety. More . . .

Please click here to read the full article >

Checkmate Fire Solutions have joined the FPA - www.thefpa.co.uk, the UK’s national fire safety organisation, and have become a sponsor of their latest DVD ‘Fire Safety in
Healthcare Premises’ ........ coming soon.

Checkmate have surveyed and installed in over 100 hospitals for various NHS Trusts nationwide, there is an on-going need for Checkmate's services in hospitals, as can be seen in the following document - Review of 5 London hospital fires and their management.

Checkmate have developed a new service and software package for auditing fire doors. Called ‘FiredoorCheck’ the new software enables a trained surveyor to assess the fire compliance of doors, at the same time creating a spreadsheet that can be used for ongoing maintenance and management. The software can be used annually by Checkmate or alternatively can be purchased by the client for ongoing internal auditing purposes.

Working in partnership with ADT Tyco and Firetec Specialist Services, Checkmate Fire Solutions have recently installed new fire doors, fire barriers and have airsealed the 4 machine rooms and diesel room that operate Tower Bridge.

Full story here >

Checkmate are pleased to announce that they have re-newed their agency agreement with Haven Fire & Safety, to market their air sealing, air leakage testing and passive fire protection, survey and installation, services throughout the United Arab Emirates for a further three years.

Checkmate have become one of the founder members of the new BRE installer scheme LPS 1531, which gives third party approval of companies involved in the installation or application of passive fire protection products.

The accreditation process involves a series of rigorous checks which are ongoing, and it is because of this assessment process that the LPCB Approval Mark is recognised worldwide as a badge of quality for passive fire protection installation.

The benefits of using third party or independent certification schemes are recognised in Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Volume 2 and the CLG guides for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO). The use of LPCB certified products and installers will help the Responsible Person to comply with the RRO.

Passive fire protection products, designed to protect life and property in the event of a fire, can be compromised by poor installation or application, which may result in premature failure in the event of a fire. This standard, explains LPCB, is designed to ensure that those who install or apply passive fire protection products are trained and have the necessary skills and technical ability to do this correctly. Assessment involves an office audit, site installation inspection and on-going site surveillance inspections.

The LPS 1531 approved installation contractor will then issue a Certificate of Conformity supplied by LPCB for each passive fire protection installation.

Click here for further information on the passive fire protection contractors scheme LPS 1531, or contact Ian Stewart at: stewarti@bre.co.uk.

Checkmate have recently air sealed the new £30 million North Kent Police headquarters for Kier Construction, in conjuction with Wintech Engineering who were able to test and pass the building first time to meet the requirements of The Building Regulations part L2.

Checkmate have a national agreement with Wintech, who are UKAS Accredited. Wintech are also members of ATTMA, providing the confidence and assurance that testing will be to the highest standard.

Checkmate have recently reached an agreement with Hilti to become one of their select band of accredited installers.

Link to Hilti Firestopping Products >

Hilti Firestop Systems have been certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board, and are monitored on an ongoing basis to provide absolute confidence in the quality and standards of the products being installed.

The specific aim of the LPCB is to improve the protection of people and property through the reduction of risk and as members of their 3rd party accredited installer scheme Checkmate recognise the value of 3rd party accredited products. 3rd party accredited installation of 3rd party accredited products ensures that fire protection and compartmentation is done correctly and overall risk is minimised. Main contractors recognise that as a result their clients receive a guaranteed product that will fulfil the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and will provide peace of mind for the lifetime of the building.

Checkmate Fire Solutions, working through Dubai Agents Haven Fire & Safety, have successfully air leakage tested the substation providing power for the air conditioning and chilled water for the whole of Palm Jumeirah; referred to in Dubai as The 8th Wonder of the World.

The substation is protected by an FM200 fire extinguisher gas suppressant system, also installed by Haven. Air leakage testing is required to confirm that the gas will be retained within the building and will be able to extinguish the flames in a fire situation, thus ensuring that services for the project are adequately protected.

Haven Fire & Safety Brochure Download