Horizonscan: Fire Safety Training for a Tall New World

Cities around the world are becoming populated with taller and more exotic buildings, many of which include mixed uses such as retail, office, leisure and residential all within one structure.

With the complexity of these ‘vertical villages’ only expected to grow, the need for fire engineers and fire safety managers to understand the unique challenges involved in ensuring the safety from fire for both building occupants and firefighters in tall buildings is obvious.

The Fire Safety Management in Tall Buildings in Business and Mixed Use course from Horizonscan aims to provide building managers with all the skills they need to address the fire risk management challenges associated with these complex buildings.

Developed in conjunction with the Tall Buildings Fire Safety Network, the five day CPD-accredited course covers a wide range of relevant topics. Packed with useful tools and techniques for those tasked with managing fire safety in these structures, the course covers five main themes, conveniently arranged in one day blocks:

• Day 1- Prevention: fire safety management systems and fire risk assessment; training and performance metrics; construction and refurbishment
• Day 2 – Detection and alarm: understanding the purpose, design and specification of detection and alarm systems, along with ‘cause and effect’ interactions with building systems, two stage alarms, PAVA and false alarm responses
• Day 3 – Escape: types of escape strategy; simultaneous, phased and combined. The use of lifts and assisting occupants that are mobility impaired; human behaviour and the role of evacuation marshals
• Day 4 – Containment: active and passive systems, including sprinklers, watermist, suppression systems, fire doors, fire barriers, curtain walls and fire stopping.
• Day 5 – Firefighting: pre-planning for firefighting intervention. Overview of firefighting operations. Wind-driven fires and fire dynamics in tall buildings.

The instructors, who are experts in their field, offer a wealth of knowledge and experience. Using case studies of actual incidents, they offer practical advice on the main ignition hazards and examine how risks can be kept to a minimum, covering catering fire safety; electrical equipment; managing contractors; arson prevention and good housekeeping.

Scheduled to take place in London in September 2013, the next course will be delivered in two sessions, allowing delegates to test their new skills and consider processes in their own buildings before returning to complete the course. Part 1 will take place on 12-13 September, with Part 2 on 18-20 September. The course, including instruction, pre-course reading, course notes and a CPD certificate on completion costs just £1,495 plus VAT.

Further Fire Safety Management in Tall Buildings in Business and Mixed Use courses are scheduled on 26-31 October in Abu Dhabi and 17-21 February 2014 in Hong Kong.

For further information, or to book a place on any Horizonscan course, contact Russ Timpson; tel: +44 0203 4780 678; e-mail: russ.timpson@horizonscanbcp.com, or visit: www.bcptesting.com