Fire safety
The Grenfell tragedy and the subsequent inquiry into the fire has exposed a dark truth about building safety: many homes, shops and offices that we frequent daily are filled with flammable materials.
Lax legislation has allowed materials that pose a sizeable fire risk to be used in building design, and while the government is now racing to remove combustible cladding from high-rise blocks of flats across the UK, more work needs to be done in other areas to prevent future fires.
In an effort to reduce the use flammable materials in buildings, a growing number of construction companies and contractors are now opting for materials with proven fire safety credentials like copper.
Learn more about the UK’s building safety crisis and the role of copper in creating a safer lived environment using the links below.
Fire-resistant materials
It seems like common sense to use fire-resistant materials in the design of buildings, but the reality is that flammable materials abound in the built environment.
Read MorePlastic and fire safety
A mounting body of research suggests that plastics are a significant fire hazard, helping to spread flames and release toxic fumes in the process.
Read MoreCopper and fire safety
Copper offers a solution to the ongoing building safety crisis and can be used in place of flammable plastics for plumbing, cladding, roofing and more.
Read MoreSafe Pipes Save Lives
The choice between copper vs plastic pipes can have life-threatening implications, with plastic pipes known to encourage the spread of fires and release toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures.
Learn more about the impact of different piping materials on fire safety in this fascinating seminar by CuSP member and Executive Director of Safe Piping Matters Paul Hagar.