The key to building better buildings and preventing fires

Everyone will remember external cladding as the culprit responsible for the Grenfell Tower fire, but according to Mike Rigby, CEO at MRA Marketing, multiple failures are often to blame for fires, as opposed to one single cheaper product or wrong spec.

Previous fires suggest that a mix of product, practice and policing, not just one cheaper product, or one inappropriate spec, are often the cause of fires. However a fire starts, it’s crucial to contain it, but there are often various routes for the fire to spread. 

Therefore, Mike suggests that in order to reduce the number of serious fires, we must raise awareness and change attitudes to the way we build and look after buildings.

Most people know almost nothing about fire protection, but the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 devolved responsibility for fire risk assessment to individual businesses and property managers, without providing much to guide them. News of the change was poorly communicated, so most people are still not aware they are responsible. Legislation to force people to do the right thing is sometimes part of the answer, but usually only a small part.

More legislation won’t make a difference, people need more awareness and understanding of fire protection. Continuous large scale marketing communications and ‘policing’ to inform and enforce regulations, are required. 

Mike Rigby, CEO, MRA Marketing.