Fire engineers that aren't useless

[sansserif]

My timber frame project needs a fire engineer for a couple of items:

1. Timber frame fire mitigation report, as the building is near another property.

2. Assistance ensuring an open plan layout with inner rooms can comply with building regs.

 

I've was speaking with a few well established firms, but recently I'm having an awful time getting anyone to actually provide a quote -- So far I'm waiting 3-4 weeks to get a response to emails, which makes me worry that even if I get quotes through, the work won't actually get done during my lifetime.

 

Can anyone recommend fire engineering firms for this sort of work who might not be useless at communicating?

[Nickfromwales]

15 minutes ago, sansserif said:

My timber frame project needs a fire engineer for a couple of items:

1. Timber frame fire mitigation report, as the building is near another property.

2. Assistance ensuring an open plan layout with inner rooms can comply with building regs.

 

I've was speaking with a few well established firms, but recently I'm having an awful time getting anyone to actually provide a quote -- So far I'm waiting 3-4 weeks to get a response to emails, which makes me worry that even if I get quotes through, the work won't actually get done during my lifetime.

 

Can anyone recommend fire engineering firms for this sort of work who might not be useless at communicating?

Have you asked your PD?

[sansserif]

1 minute ago, Nickfromwales said:

Have you asked your PD?

Yes, and we're struggling to get a response from his go-to firm as well (and as a bonus they're likely to very expensive if we ever get a quote through)

[-rick-]

Since Grenfell the demand for fire safety work has skyrocketed and AFAIK there is a huge shortage of qualified people to do it. Bit of a shit situation all round.

 

Sorry, I know that doesn't really help solve your problem.

[SteamyTea]

2 hours ago, sansserif said:

fire engineer

They won't be engineers, just technicians with  BTEC or C&G qualification.

Look up the qualification and then ask around for people with the right certificate.

[Nickfromwales]

6 hours ago, sansserif said:

Yes, and we're struggling to get a response from his go-to firm as well (and as a bonus they're likely to very expensive if we ever get a quote through)

I've reached out for some contacts. I'll let you know if/when they respond  

[Mr Punter]

We have had timber frame fire spread engineering a while ago.  Stuart Milne - no longer trading - did the frame and Fire-Q did the fire stuff.  It cost about £1000 10 years ago, for a 4 storey terraced housing project about 1200m2.  The fire spread risk is mainly during construction.  Once it is plasterboarded and finished externally it is far safer.  You can mitigate open plan layouts with sprinklers.6293 Fire-Q FSRA Falcon Wharf Rev 02 FINAL 20062016.pdf

 

[Nickfromwales]

21 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

I've reached out for some contacts. I'll let you know if/when they respond  

@sansserif  PM sent. 

[Nickfromwales]

14 minutes ago, Mr Punter said:

You can mitigate open plan layouts with sprinklers.

Sprinklers is one of 2 options for what the actual requirement is for “automatic fire suppression system”, eg you can sometimes use a mist system instead. 

[saveasteading]

Why  do you need a specialist Fire Engineer? Is there something unusual about your design?

 

It seems you have a 'fire boundary condition' but most are covered by building regulation guidance and your SE or Architect should be able to handle it.

the same applies to a big  room.

 

Maybe it's an unconsidered wording.. I know I do it.

But implying that Fire Engineers are useless isn't constructive: it is very specialist.

They have no obligation to accept any commission so tact on approach is prudent.

 

[Alan Ambrose]

+1

 

But regardless of the regs you may prefer to have a solution above the regs that you’re happy with. Some countries, of course, have mandatory sprinklers, and my feeling is that UK fire regs for domestic dwellings are a bit lightweight.

 

I wonder whether you might get some help from the vendors of mist systems. Yeah, they’re trying to sell you stuff, but you may at least get some educational help out of them and an idea of cost.

 

I reckon that most fire consultancy is directed at commercial, public buildings and blocks of flats for economics reasons. Also the regs are more thorough for those - which probably generates some juicy retrofit contracts.

 

[sansserif]

On 03/10/2026 at 23:39, saveasteading said:

Why  do you need a specialist Fire Engineer? Is there something unusual about your design?

Because the design doesn't automatically comply with Approved Document B (due to an open plan layout without a protected stair, leading to "inner rooms"). So whilst the design may be safe in reality (or with some adaptation, e.g. sprinklers), building control will require a report to say that it is.

 

On 03/10/2026 at 23:39, saveasteading said:

It seems you have a 'fire boundary condition' but most are covered by building regulation guidance and your SE or Architect should be able to handle it.

Unfortunately (for the wallet), a report is needed as per Structural Timber Association membership requirements. If you choose a timber frame firm that is an STA member, a report is needed at your expense.

 

On 03/10/2026 at 23:39, saveasteading said:

But implying that Fire Engineers are useless isn't constructive: it is very specialist.

Useless at communication was my grumble  It's just tough when you're trying to work to a reasonable programme, but it takes weeks/months for a basic back and forth.

 

On 03/10/2026 at 17:42, Nickfromwales said:

@sansserif  PM sent. 

🙏

[Owain1602]

@sansserif

 

Do you care to share details of your layout?

We have an open plan layout and no protected stairwell. I had quite a bit of fun with the Building Control inspectors and the fire service (ours had a lot of other issues). It wasn’t very complex though. Are you sure they are truly “inner rooms”?
 

I can’t help at all regarding your proximity to the boundary issue though, not a problem for us. 

[Gus Potter]

1 hour ago, Owain1602 said:

Do you care to share details of your layout?

If you want some better quality feedback then this is the way to go. 

 

There may well be  a simple solution to this. You may not be seeing the wood from the trees. It maybe that someone on BH comes up with a simple observation?