Fire Engineering

Our fire engineers led by Dr Raymond Connolly Phd, BE, CEng, MIFireE, MSFPE assist architects, designers, developers and building owners in evaluating a buildings' life safety and property protection from the destructive effects of fire.They do this by applying engineering principles and expert judgement, based on an understanding of the phenomena and effects of fire and of the reaction and behaviour of people to fire.  

 We develop and design integrated fire strategies for a wide variety of construction sectors and use research, analysis and design flair to produce tailor-made fire safety solutions suited to each project’s unique needs.

Our fire engineers have worked extensively throughout the UK and Ireland and in more recent years on projects in the United Arab Emirates.Whilst fire safety engineering principles are international in their application, the approvals process varies around the globe.

We are experienced in negotiation of approvals using British BSI Standards, American NFPA/FM standards, International ISO Standards and International Fire Codes. 

Our particular expertise is working with designers to develop optimal overall fire safety strategies and masterplans.This allows development of architectural concepts into effective workable arrangements typically for development and delivery by local production teams.The application of fire safety engineering principles play a major role in liberating architects from the traditional constraints of fire safety design of buildings.

 

Some of the benefits to the client achieved by our team using fire engineering principles include:

  • Increasing floor space and spatial planning e.g. by reducing water storage requirements for fire-fighting
  • Releasing design aspiration and reducing cost e.g. by demonstrating alternative methods of achieving fire compartmentation
  • Saving floor space, cost and improving design fluidity e.g. by reducing and removing staircases and exit widths
  • Improving flexibility and reducing cost e.g. by extending travel distances in buildings
  • Reducing repetitious design avoiding unnecessary costs e.g. by justifying the use of non-conventional escape routes
  • Improving visual appearance and design quality e.g. by allowing greater freedom of choice for materials
  • Improving design coordination e.g. by optimising fire service access facilities

We are aware that building codes fail to take into account the peculiarities of every single building design. The larger and more complex the design of a building the more difficult and more costly it is to ensure that the design meets the recommendations of prescriptive building codes.

In contrast the application of fire engineering principles can increase design flexibility and reduce construction and operating costs whilst tailoring the design of a building to suit a specific building use. 

We provide fire safety engineering guidance providing the client with a more transparent and flexible approach to fire safety design through the use of a structured approach to risk based building design where designers can take account of varying physical and human factors.

Our fire safety engineering approach provides an alternative approach to fire safety design of buildings and can be the only practical way to achieve a satisfactory standard of fire safety in some large and complex buildings and in buildings that contain different uses.

Sample of Dr Connollys Projects

Shopping centres/retail

  • Westfield, London
  • Al-Jimi Mall, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Benetton, Limerick
  • Yas Island Development, Abu Dhabi, UAE