An early construction inspection identified that smoke and heat detection had been omitted from cupboards containing electrical consumer units, allowing the installation to be corrected before it was repeated across the development.
- Client Housing association (confidential)
- Service Development fire safety oversight
- Contract start December 2024
- Contract term 3 + 2
- Value delivered to date £450k
Overview
Clear Safety supports our client across multiple residential developments, providing fire safety advice, compliance inspections and ongoing construction assurance. Our involvement extends from the early construction stages through to occupation, including pre- and post-occupation Fire Risk Assessments.
The Challenge
Clear Safety was appointed to provide a fire safety inspection regime for a development of 170 houses where installation of Grade D LD1 smoke and heat detection had begun. During an early monthly inspection, our inspector identified that detection had not been installed within cupboards containing electrical consumer units, which was inconsistent with the intended LD1 system.
Our Approach
We escalated the omission promptly and worked with the site team to establish why the specified coverage had not been provided.
- Notified the Construction Site Manager and our client’s Clerk of Works.
- Recorded the omitted detection at an early stage of installation.
- Prompted an investigation into the electrical contractor’s understanding of BS 5839-6.
- Supported corrective action before the same omission was repeated across the remaining homes.
The Outcome
The investigation found that the site electricians did not understand the requirements of BS 5839-6 for domestic fire detection and alarm systems. The site team informed the electrical contractor, detection was added within the affected cupboards and the correct category of fire detection was installed throughout the remaining houses.
- Corrected the installation before work progressed across all 170 homes.
- Avoided further costs associated with retrospective installation.
- Prevented delays at handover.
- Reinforced the importance of checking installer understanding against the specified fire safety standard.
Ongoing Support
Throughout the project lifecycle, from the start of construction through to handover and beyond, we provide independent fire safety inspections and compliance reporting. Working closely with the project team, we review designs, monitor construction work and address site challenges through practical, risk-based solutions. We also review Regulation 38 information, M&E commissioning and certification records, and final fire risk assessments to support a safe, compliant and fully documented building at completion.
Key Benefits
- Early verification of installations against the required system category.
- Prompt correction before omissions are repeated at scale.
- Reduced exposure to avoidable cost and programme delay.
- Stronger records to support the Golden Thread of Information.
