Overview
Porter fire look after several academies and are proud to provide installation and maintenance servicing of Fire alarms, Fire extinguishers and emergency lighting across all of the Steel City academies.
Overview
Porter Fire Ltd have been looking after Fire alarm provision and fire extinguisher provision for the executive including all the major interchanges at Sheffield, Barnsley , Meadowhall and Rotherham and also all the local hubs and park and ride schemes since 2019.
Case Studies
Overview
Sheaf Bank is a vibrant business park with a history steeped in Sheffield’s industrial past. They are now home to a wonderfully eclectic mix of businesses. From guitar makers to fabricators, from Crossfit to archaeology. Sheaf Bank reflects the best of Sheffield’s past, whilst focusing on developing its future. We work flexibly with tenants so we can be successful together.
Porter Fire are honoured to have worked with Sheaf Bank Business Park since 2013. As the site developed and their tenant base evolves, we have worked with them to ensure they receive a great fire protection offering giving value for money.
Our approach and solution
The total fire solution offering starts with the fire risk assessment and future action plans. No company has an open-ended budget so Porter Fire get to understand their future vision and how they can achieve maximum risk reduction with the available funding.
Prevention of a fire is the goal so practical solutions of how to separate sources of ignition from combustible items is one of the outcomes of the fire risk assessment that Sheaf Bank share with their tenants. Porter Fire’s bespoke fire warden training focused on the understanding of fire triangle so fire wardens understand the part they play in keeping their site safe from fire.
Should a fire occur reliable early detection and alarm is of paramount importance. Porter Fire have worked with Sheaf Bank to prioritise how the fire alarm would be developed and the provision required to match the risk introduced by the different tenant activities. Particular focus is put on reduction of unwanted alarms.
“Our partnership with Porter Fire gives us peace of mind, enabling us to meet the challenge of ensuring we provide a safe place for tenants and visitors.”
Josie Bennett Managing Director
If the unthinkable does happen, if a fire occurs and then is detected then the next piece of the fire strategy is to contain the fire to allow evacuation. Porter Fire provide repair and consultancy services to Sheaf Bank on the provision of compliant fire doors to aid compartmentation and keep fire escape routes clear. If a fire is detected in its early stage’s porter Fire have ensured the fire wardens know which fire extinguishers are appropriate for the risk and that they are serviced and available to use.
A clear and practiced escape plan must be in place to ensure that in the event of a fire everyone on site knows the part they play ensuring everyone is safe. Porter fire have worked with Sheaf Bank to ensure the correct instructional and directional signage is in place from the tenants work area all the way to the fire assembly point. We maintain the emergency lighting systems using the latest technology LED lighting to ensure everyone is safe to travel the escape routes at all times. Porter Fire work with Sheaf Bank to ensure the fire evacuation drills work to the plan and any lessons learned can be used to develop the plans.
Case Studies
Overview
The Trustees purchased Beverley House in 1966 and converted it into 9 flats. Over the years several extensions have been added and the house now comprises of 10 one bedroom and 2 two-bedroom flats, together with a studio flat.
Our approach and solution
Hewer-White Trust take their responsible person function as described in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 very seriously, ensuring their clients are afforded the best level of fire protection whilst ensuring value for money. Porter Fire have provided a range of fire protection services to the site through its evolution using the existing infrastructure where possible.
As the site developed the fire strategy needed to evolve. The balance between achieving a high level of fire detection and limiting unwanted alarms in a residential situation is a difficult balance to achieve. The “one out all out” strategy was no longer seen as appropriate by the fire and rescue service and a feasibility study was undertaken to understand what work would be required to move to a stay-put policy.
The stay-put principle relies on the idea that a flat should have sufficient passive fire protection measures to contain a fire for at least 60 minutes. People are sometimes encouraged to stay in their flats so as not to impede firefighters tackling the fire. In theory, a fire could be tackled without a resident having to leave a nearby flat.
Invasive sampling of the compartmentation structures was undertaken to assess the existing fire ratings of walls and ceilings and costing produced to achieve the 60-minute requirements. An assessment was made on the disturbance to the residents, could they remain in their flats during any works?
Once the approved passive work was completed Porter Fire conducted a revised fire risk assessment to produce an action plan to adapt the other fire protection features in the complex to support the new fire action plan.
’’Porter Fire worked with us on all aspects of this project and kept us in the loop at all times . This was a difficult project in that the flats were all tenanted during the works but thanks to their professionalism and flexibility , disruption to the tenants was kept to a minimum . An excellent job.’’
Lindsey Webster Trust Administrator
Porter fire worked with the electrical contractors to install a compliant independent fire detection and alarm within each flat. British Standard BS 5839-6:2013 covers specific recommendations for fire alarm systems in all dwellings and covers both new-build and existing properties. The standard contains a large amount of detail on all aspects relating to the design and installation of fire alarm systems but one area of it covers the type of alarm to install and the areas of the property to protect.
Porter Fire undertook the design, installation and commissioning work required to pull back the original building fire alarm to cover all the common areas of the building including communal laundry and basements, BS 5839-1:2017 -Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises. Should the system detect fire the smoke ventilation system is activated and brigade summoned. Following the stay put strategy no sounders are activated however specific visual alarms show areas not to be accessed based on the zone of activation.
It is critical that any changes in a fire action plan are communicated in a manner that is understood by the users and that they have confidence that the strategy will protect them should it need to be employed. Porter fire undertook a bespoke training event for residents explaining the practical implications of the change the benefits to the residents in reductions of unwanted alarms, a reduced burden to the fire and rescue service and no fear that burning toast was going to have all the tenants on the street, there was a lively question and answer session.
Case Studies
Overview
One of the UK’s leading Discount Book Wholesalers, stocking a broad range of Remainder and Re-printed titles. Working from their Sheffield offices and warehouse they also specialise in pop-up stores at fairs and festivals.
Our approach and solution
Porter Fire ensure that the Bestsellers direct head offices in Sheffield is compliant with its fire fighting capabilities, the extinguisher are serviced to BAFE standards and suitable for the risks. We also prepare the fire extinguishers for their pop-up stores ensuring that staff and customers are protected throughout these satellite events.
Case Studies
Overview
Tradition, pride and craftsmanship go together in Sheffield, a centre of British skill since the days of Chaucer. One small part of this tradition was marked in 1977, with the centenary of the establishment of Pinder Brothers, then, as now, a family company. In 2017 it celebrates its 140th anniversary.
Our approach and solution
Porter fire have worked with Pinders to upgrade their fire alarm system over a number of phases to match the development of the company and their processes. Originally a “mains manual” system it is now a fully compliant addressable system using the latest technology to protect their employees and the company assets.
We service the fire alarm system to keep it working to the highest performance standards and ensure the protection is still appropriate to any changing risks.
Case Studies
Overview
MBA Lettings & Property Management Ltd is an independent firm of Chartered Surveyors and Letting Agents established over 12 years ago in order to manage student accommodation. Over time the firm has grown to where it is today managing over 300 quality residential properties both student and professional for landlords based both locally in Sheffield, throughout the rest of the UK and all over the world.
Our approach and solution
MBA Lettings & Property Management Ltd provide a responsible person function as described in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Porter Fire provide a range of compliant fire risk assessments to ensure their tenants and landlords are protected. We liaise with fire and rescue services and licencing authorities where required to ensure any recommendations for improvements are acceptable and achievable.
Properties coming into MBAs portfolio may require a quick turnaround in completing the fire risk assessment to ensure compliance is maintained. Communication and value for money are two of the main ingredients in this lasting relationship.
Case Studies
Overview
The doctors and staff at Sloan Medical Centre in Sheffield are proud to offer the highest standard of care for all their patients. They aim to treat all their patients equally and provide a high-quality service that is sensitive to their needs.
Our approach and solution
In the event of a fire, the fire doors are an essential part of the passive fire protection of the building, free access is to all is also the stated goal. To achieve both objectives Porter Fire use compliant access control or hold open devices.
Case Studies
Overview
The Trustees purchased Beverley House in 1966 and converted it into 9 flats.
Over the years several extensions have been added and the house now comprises of 10 one bedroom and 2 two-bedroom flats, together with a studio flat.
Our approach and solution
Hewer-White Trust take their responsible person function as described in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 very seriously, ensuring their clients are afforded the best level of fire protection whilst ensuring value for money. Porter Fire have provided a range of fire protection services to the site through its evolution using the existing infrastructure where possible.
Latest LED low current emergency lighting has helped to ensure fire escape routes are always lit to required standards, by changing some units from non-maintained to maintained fittings ensured that areas with original mains wiring do not need local lighting failure to be compliant.
’’Porter Fire worked with us on all aspects of this project and kept us in the loop at all times . This was a difficult project in that the flats were all tenanted during the works but thanks to their professionalism and flexibility , disruption to the tenants was kept to a minimum . An excellent job.’’
Lindsey Webster Trust Administrator