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Industry Alerts

This section draws together Industry Alerts from FIS, Safety Alerts from CROSS that we believe are significant to the FIS Community and Knowledge Shares from the Passive Fire Knowledge Group that FIS supports.

FIS Safety Alerts

FIS Safety Alerts are issued with the support of approriate Technical Committee and the FIS Board.  They identify safety concerns that FIS has identified in our work that could constitute a serious safety concern that may be repeated in the work our sector is undertaking.   

Suitability of gypsum-based systems in the construction of smoke shafts

Concerns have been raised with FIS that gypsum-based systems are being specified to construct smoke shafts for mechanically ventilated systems in some high-rise buildings. Members are advised that gypsum-based systems are typically tested for fire resistance, sound insulation, air permeability and robustness.  More information is available here.

Flat strap on through wall SFS external wall systems

Failure to provide and install ‘flat strap’ where it is required to ensure 300mm fixing centres can be maintained or where it was installed during a fire test may invalidate any evidence of compliance. The attached industry alert provides guidance and we  recommend this is shared amongst your estimating, purchasing and installation teams.

CROSS Alerts

Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK). CROSS is a confidential reporting system which allows professionals working in the built environment to report on fire and structural safety issues. These are then published anonymously to share lessons learned, create positive change, and improve safety.  All FIS Safety Alerts are sent to CROSS to ensure that they are aligned.

Reaction to fire of wall linings

Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS) has published a report relating to reaction to fire classification of wall lining materials, pointing out the importance of understanding the testing regimes required for materials in different applications and how performance will likely be affected by composite panel constructions.  Whilst the technical advice on testing applies to all wall lining products, the reporter here is particularly concerned about the classification of linings in and around freestanding pods which may have been overlooked in the requirements of Building Regulations guidance; Approved Document B due to being considered furniture items, and therefore not assessed for compliance by those responsible for fire safety in the design.

Scope Clarity Essential to Avoid Structural Safety Oversights – Key Lessons from Latest CROSS Report

The latest report published on the CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures) website serves as a timely reminder of the vital importance of clearly defined design responsibilities and scope management on construction projects.

In this case, a scope gap emerged on a residential timber frame project involving houses and apartments. The substructure was designed by a structural engineer, while the superstructure was designed by a specialist timber frame manufacturer. However, no party had assumed design responsibility for the outer leaf brickwork, raising serious safety concerns related to masonry properties, cavity ties, lintels and movement joints.

Addressing Fire Safety: Insights from CROSS Reports on Cladding and Sprinkler Systems

FIS is aware of reports raised through CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK) that highlight potential problems that members need to consider regarding passive fire protection implications around cladding and active fire protection implications of sprinklers being deactivated during the construction phase.
The reports can be viewed on the CROSS website using the links below:

Fire barrier requirements in external wall systems | CROSS
Fires involving thermally modified wood | CROSS
Automatic Opening Vents not functional after two cladding remediations | CROSS
Sprinkler system deactivated during construction works | CROSS

CROSS reports potential problems with the application of passive fire protection products

FIS is aware of two recent reports raised through CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK) that highlight potential problems with the application of passive fire protection products.

One issue relates to the use on sealants with CPVP pipes (sprinkler pipe) which can apply to fire stopped pipe penetrations whereby the sealant or firestopping product used can cause failures over time which require repair and downtime of the sprinkler system. Additionally, it is possible that these failures could manifest only at such a time where the active fire suppression systems are required, and that the firestopping at the location of the penetration could itself fail in the event of a fire due to a difference between the site condition and the test condition.

FIS has previously published guidance on this which can be found here, and the CROSS report can be found here.

The second report deals with assumptions being made about the fire protection of steel supporting members within fire rated timber joist supporting floors. In these cases steel beams are not being protected with intumescent coating as it is assumed that the fire resistance of the floor encompasses the steel beams despite the absence of test evidence demonstrating this.

The CROSS report can be found here.

CROSS highlights concerns related to supporting constructions under fire doors and screens

FIS is aware of a report raised through CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK) that highlights a potential gap in understanding around testing of fire-resistant glazed doors and screens. The particular issue concerns the construction of the threshold in the supporting construction and the incongruence with typical threshold constructions on sites with raised access floors.

The report can be viewed on the CROSS website HERE.

CROSS highlights concerns related to use of self-drilling screws in the installation of fire dampers 

Fire damper surveys are identifying widespread non-compliant installations using self-drilling screws, leading to costly remediation works and uncertainty about actual fire performance. The reporter calls for clearer guidance and proportionate assessment of damper function and safety risks.

The report can be viewed on the CROSS website HERE.

CROSS highlights concerns related to fire protection to light guague steel frame walls

The report raises concerns of disagreement between fire engineers and manufacturers on testing for the loadbearing performance of light gauge steel frame walls in case of fire has been reported. More specifically, the report included the following recommendations:

For Light Gauge Steel Frame manufacturers and suppliers:

  • Provide relevant information to help ensure that designers and builders provide adequate protection to all elements of a structure, including walls that are not separating compartment walls
  • Internal loadbearing walls could be exposed to fire on both sides simultaneously and should therefore provide the required loadbearing fire resistance for such exposure

For designers:

  • Panelised light gauge steel frame construction is considered a modern method of construction, according to an MHCLG Joint Industry Working Group.
  • Approved documents may not provide appropriate guidance for some buildings that are not considered as “common buildings situations” and incorporate modern construction methods, according to the MHCLG’s Manual to the Building Regulations
  • Any design should be tested against the functional requirements of the relevant building regulations, and not only against the provisions of technical guidance
  • Internal walls that may not need to be fire-resisting for means of escape purposes (i.e. not separating walls) may need additional fire protection if they form part of the structure
  • Light gauge steel frame elements may need additional measures to ensure they remain structurally stable in order to perform their intended function

The report can be viewed on the CROSS website HERE.

CROSS highlights concerns related to fire protection to structure by cavity barriers

The report raises concerns about potential misconceptions regarding cavity barriers. It suggests that whilst these barriers are often viewed solely as fire and smoke spread inhibitors, they also play a critical role in protecting structural integrity. Current guidance (Approved Document B and Regulation B3) focuses on limiting unseen fire spread, which may lead designers to overlook structural protection requirements.

Some construction systems rely on linings to shield structural elements within cavities, but typical cavity barriers (E30/I15) often provide far less fire resistance than required for structural frames. This creates a risk that loadbearing elements could be exposed to heat early, leading to thermal degradation, local collapse, and further fire spread. The issue is compounded in external loadbearing walls, which may be exposed to fire on both internal and external faces simultaneously—a scenario not explicitly addressed in current guidance. Designers should consider this two-sided exposure risk, especially where venting flames or hot gases from windows or balconies can attack external faces.

Incorrectly specified cavity barriers around openings (e.g., windows) can compromise structural protection. Even limited fire spread within a cavity can expose columns, beams, or slabs to elevated temperatures, initiating failure. Therefore, where cavity barriers are intended to protect structural elements, they should be specified to meet the same fire resistance standard as the structure, not just the lower standard for cavity barriers alone. Designers should also ensure that linings relied upon for protection are robust and installed for exposure on all relevant faces.

The reporter recommends clearer guidance in future updates and urges the industry to raise awareness so designers and building control bodies give appropriate consideration to structural protection when cavities exist—especially in proportion to building size, height, and occupancy.

 The report can be viewed on the CROSS website HERE.

CROSS highlights fire compartmentation and structural integrity concerns

The reported concerns relate to cavity barrier installation errors, cladding support issues, and fire barrier integrity. More specifically, these included:

Fire barrier compromise: The cavity barrier appeared to be cut back by more than 100mm from the internal bevel of the window reveal. The reporter considers this a breach of good practice, leaving the window surround insufficiently protected in the event of fire

Incorrect rail installation: The horizontal rails appeared to be mounted at the face of the cavity barrier, rather than stopping short. This detail would compromise the intended fire stopping function

Improper cladding support details: Instead of the expected T-profile bracket, a small angle bracket appeared to have been used, with strips secured by only one screw at the start of the strip. The screws for the horizontal rails appeared to fix into the strip rather than the bracket. The reporter states that this could mean an entire section of stone cladding was effectively suspended from a single screw, raising concerns, given that the weight of the cladding panels apparently required crane installation

Fire barrier integrity: Visible cut-outs and missing sections were noted in the barrier, further undermining its effectiveness

The report can be viewed on the CROSS website HERE.

Passive Fire Protection Knowledge Shares

A network to support knowledge and research on passive fire safety design, procurement & construction supported by FIS.

All knowledge shares can be accessed here.

Reporting Safety Concerns

If you have a safety concern associated with the work you are doing in the finishes and interiors sector, FIS is here to help.  You can contact the FIS services team via:

Phone: 0121 707 0077

Email: info@thefis.org

Or the chat function triggered on this page.