FSi has published a white paper identifying gaps in the specification and installation processes for cavity barrier systems which are contributing to poor safety standards and inconsistencies across the industry.
There is currently a disparity around who is responsible for specifying the cavity barriers systems at which stage of a project, with a further lack of clarity during the actual specification stage. This issue leads to generic systems being specified instead of a specific manufacturer of system type, regularly resulting in inconsistencies in safety standards.
The regulation pertaining to the cavity barriers is also unclear according to FSi, with the same regulations applying to very varied and different systems and facades available today.
Addressing this in the white paper, FSi gives an overview of the current regulations and highlights four practical recommendations to address the gaps, such as early engagement with all the relevant partners which are vital to the construction process, ensuring all fire stopping products and systems be third party certified or CE marked and tested to relevant standards, making technical information on the systems readily accessible to architects, contractors and installers, and the introduction of a mandatory national installer registration scheme.
Liam Blears, business and technical development manager at FSi, said: “Ensuring cavity barrier systems provide the correct level of protection relies on a collective and responsible approach by manufacturers, specifiers, installers and building owners.
“As the industry expert, we are determined to lead the way, by driving the changes needed across the industry to improve standards and eliminate the ineffective and unsafe specification and installation of cavity barrier systems.”
