Live CPD Event – Fire Safety & The Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced major changes to fire safety regulations, significantly impacting architects, specifiers, and developers working on smaller-scale residential and commercial projects.
Understanding the new compliance requirements, fire testing standards, and the responsibilities of duty holders is crucial for ensuring safe and legally compliant developments.

This CPD will focus on:

• The shift from BS 476 to EN 13501 for fire-rated materials
• The 11m rule for external cladding and its implications
• Fire compartmentation strategies for low-rise and mid-rise buildings
• The Principal Designer role under the Building Safety Act and how small to medium practices can manage this function without a dedicated specialist.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding the Building Safety Act and how it affects smaller scale projects.
• How the transition from BS 476 to EN 13501 impacts fire-resistant materials for low-rise buildings
• Principal Designer responsibilities for architects and small practices
• The 11m rule for external cladding and its implications
• Best practices for fire compartmentation and design integration

Speakers and Topics

Darren Agnew – Director, Trigon Fire Engineers
Fire Engineering and Specification for Low-Rise Buildings

• How BS 476 to EN 13501 transition affects materials selection
• Fire resistance requirements for external walls, internal compartmentation, and structure
• 11m rule for external cladding systems and the latest compliance considerations

Rob McGinnes of Hive Architects– Chartered Architect / Principal Designer:
Managing the Principal Designer Role in Small to Medium Practices

• What does the Principal Designer role entail under the Building Safety Act?
• How small and medium-sized practices can manage this function effectively.
• Ensuring fire safety compliance without a dedicated Principal Designer
• Practical tools for record-keeping, risk management, and accountability

Adam Taylor – Tenmat:
Fire safety and Building Safety Act for low-rise HRB’s

• Addressing fire safety and compartmentation in lower rise HRB’s
• Essentials for small to medium sized practices
• Key details and approaches to meeting ADB and BSA planning gateways

Paul Iddon – VP – Manchester Society of Architects:
Panel moderator and discussion guide

Who Should Attend?

• Architects and specifiers working on small- to mid-scale housing and commercial projects.
• Developers and contractors needing clarity on external wall compliance and fire safety strategies.
• Building control professionals ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act
• Manufacturers and suppliers adapting materials to meet new EN 13501 classifications.

Event Schedule
17:30 Arrival and networking
18:00 Introduction by MSA President – Jenny Etheridge
18:10 Darren Agnew – Fire Engineering for Low-Rise Buildings
18:45 Rob McGinnes – Managing the Principal Designer Role in Small to Medium Practices
19:20 – Refreshment break and networking
19:35 Adam Taylor – Tenmat – fire safety essentials for low-medium rise buildings
20:10 Q&A Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks
20:40 Networking drinks and informal discussion
2040-2100 approx. – Event close

Why Attend?

• Gain practical insights into fire safety requirements for small- and mid-scale developments.
• Understand the new external cladding requirements for buildings over 11m.
• Learn how to manage the Principal Designer role in small and medium-sized practices.
• Stay compliant with the latest fire safety and material testing regulations.
• Network with industry experts, architects, and fire safety professionals

This CPD will equip you with the knowledge to navigate fire safety challenges, manage risk, and comply with new regulations—all while maintaining design flexibility and project efficiency.

Join us in Altrincham on 23rd April 2025.