Fire safety issues

Building Conversion – UK

This matter involved a fire in a former mill that had been converted into a large number of flats and some retail units.

The building owner alleged that the architect’s design of the passive fire safety features, particularly the compartmentation, cavity barriers and fire stopping, was inadequate.

WJM&P were engaged as architectural experts by solicitors acting for the insurers of the architect to report on the adequacy of the design and construction of the passive fire safety features.  We concluded that the architect’s design satisfied Part B of the Building Regulations and that missing fire stopping was due to shortcomings in workmanship.

The matter was settled at mediation, at which we acted as the architectural expert witness.