External wall fire safety, UK wide
Facade Fire Engineering
The external wall is one of the most safety-critical and most scrutinised parts of a modern building. AL23 Safety provides the fire and external-wall-safety expertise that helps developers, architects and contractors get facades right, from early design through construction and across the life of existing buildings. Delivered in-house with chartered engineering, anywhere in the UK.
Bridging the gap
The part that falls between specialists
Facade fire safety too often falls between separate specialists, with the architect, the facade contractor and the fire consultant each assuming someone else has it covered. We bridge that gap.
In the room at the right time
We bring the fire performance of the external wall into the room at the right time, reducing risk, saving rework and helping the project move with confidence.
Where we add value
Our input flexes around where you bring us in
Early design stages
At concept and technical design, we help the project team set the right fire compliance strategy for the external wall before the aesthetics are locked in. That means agreeing the materials position, choosing the route to compliance and feeding the external wall into the building’s wider fire strategy. Getting this right early is far cheaper than reversing course later.
Construction stage
From the construction stage onward, we support the client team or the main contractor with compliance and quality reviews. This can run from coordinating and reviewing calculations and drawings to attending site, checking the installation against the fire design and confirming it follows both the specification and good practice.
Existing buildings
For buildings already in use, we appraise external wall fire risk and support remediation, linking the work to a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls where one is needed.
The fire compliance picture
A clear, demanding framework we help you navigate
Approved Document B
Sets the expectations for limiting external fire spread. Compliance is typically shown either by a direct route, using non-combustible materials of the required European classification or by a facade system that meets the BR 135 criteria following a large-scale BS 8414 fire test.
Regulation 7(2)
Restricts the use of combustible materials in the external walls of certain higher buildings, generally requiring materials of Euroclass A2-s1,d0 or A1. Lower height thresholds and stricter expectations from insurers, warranty providers and clients increasingly apply so the safe material position is often tighter than the minimum the regulations set.
PAS 9980
For existing buildings, PAS 9980 provides the methodology for appraising external wall fire risk, which informs whether remediation is needed.
We translate this framework into clear, practical decisions for your specific building, rather than leaving you to interpret the guidance alone.
Why AL23 Safety
A fire safety problem first
In-house chartered engineering. The external wall is a fire safety problem first and that is our core strength.
The right input at the right time. Brought in early to shape the design or later to assure the build.
Joined-up advice. The facade considered as part of your fire strategy and building safety duties, not in isolation.
Practical and proportionate. Clear compliance decisions, grounded in real buildings.
UK nationwide. Wherever your project is, we can support it.
Talk to us about your facade
Designing, assuring or remediating
Whether you are designing a new building, assuring one under construction or addressing an external wall on an existing building, our chartered engineering can help you get the facade right. Get in touch and we will get back to you quickly.
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