Jane Embury asks whether a rush to build will lead to a better built environment The UK government has announced major reform to the planning system. Critics of the current system say that it’s unwieldy, cumbersome and takes too long time for decisions to be made. In response, the government wants significant deregulation, something that […]
advanced glazing systems
Building compartments from glass
In the first part of this article, Jane Embury, looked at the growing culture of fire safety. Here she looks more closely at compartmentation. Effective fire safety provides safe evacuation and the minimum of financial loss. In turn, that better ensures business continuity. The key to achieving that is compartmentation, with fire contained in a […]
Designing in fire safety
In a two-part article, Jane Embury looks at fire safety. In this first part, she welcomes a new culture to put safety first. A safe building, particularly a complex one, will have been designed from the outset with safety firmly in mind. Responsible designers and contractors will have responsible people in place to ensure that […]
Building for a safer future
Jane Embury looks at aspects of fire safety A building’s ability to withstand fire depends on its design, the materials used and the quality of construction. If a fire does happen, those three elements should prevent the spread of flames and smoke and allow for a safe evacuation. Good building design involves a multi-disciplinary approach […]
Repurposing the Square Mile
Jane Embury looks at a bold strategy in London The future of our towns and cities is of vital importance as we emerge into a new normal. They are the country’s lifeblood, responsible for retail commerce and jobs. Not only that but urban vibrancy is about leisure: bars, restaurants, coffee shops, museums and galleries. Essentially, […]
