The hot topic

To meet net zero targets by 2050, we need to preserve resources. This means our buildings will no longer follow the traditional linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’. They will need to be: ● Circular and built with reused materials and/or more organic (bio) materials; ● Taken apart and deconstructed; ● Flexible and adaptable in the short and long term when considering its internal use; and ● Smart and connected.

A building must be considered as an asset within a system. Its value is efficiency, flexibility, and reusability. Protecting reusability will be an integral part of a building’s sustained value. After all, losing materials and building usability because of a fire will mean a valuable resource is taken out of the cycle.

Sustainability and fire safety silos

For many years, the construction industry has pursued sustainable and green construction, which has been supported by government regulations, incentives and certification schemes.

The drive across Europe to insulate and use more natural products is an example. This has led to hybrid forms of construction – with impressive sustainability features – being chosen over traditional methods of construction. But many of these construction forms burn.

High-profile fires have raised questions about the resilience of buildings where natural products are used as structural materials.

Green rating systems and regulations may recognise a highperformance building, but you only have to look at the devastating consequences of a fire to realise that a building’s sustainability score does not mean immunity to fire. In some cases it means increased exposure to disproportionate damage when fire exposes part of the construction. Some have been completely destroyed by fire, meaning that their potential saving and green credentials are gone. together in regulatory thinking. However, fire incidents such as the Grenfell Tower fire are changing this. This is positive as current guidance and techniques will not deliver the required outcomes.

FIRE RESILIENCE

A holistic approach to sustainability and fire resilience will be needed to deliver carbon-neutral outcomes, says Tom Roche

Valuable resources are needed to recreate them, and their function has been interrupted for several months, if not years. Some see this as a signal that fire safety regulations deliver the wrong outcome for sustainability while others consider it a blind spot in certification schemes.

The Carbon Neutral laboratory in Nottingham, for example, was constructed with mass timber but destroyed in 2014, shortly before construction had been completed. It was rebuilt in line with regulations, followed the original design and did not increase fire resilience; there was no active fire protection.

The rebuild was shortlisted for green building awards. Somehow, the disproportionate damage and resources lost in the fire did not count. The fire was consigned to history and had no bearing on the claims for the efficiency and carbonneutral credentials.

The point is not to dismiss these forms of construction. Instead, we should recognise the siloed thinking: sustainability and fire seldom come

TOM ROCHE is secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance A joined-up approach

Active protection systems like sprinklers are part of the building system and add to overall carbon emissions. However, before dismissing active fire protection, the benefits need to be weighed. Studies show their benefits in minimising the impact of fire and emissions.

The future of diverse construction materials and greater use of insulation will need to think about their fire performance and how they can mitigate against fire incidents. It will need to prevent fires and protect hard-won resources for long-term reuse. Active protection systems will make sense for this reason. They will increase protection to guarantee long-term flexibility. The whole-life cost of a building and its value will be tied to both of these concepts.

That said, active fire protection systems will need to adapt to demonstrate their improving whole-life costs and sustainability credentials. Adapting test regimes, increasing water recycling and implementing new tech will be vital to improve their high effectiveness.

In a world where sustainability is key, a disposable building will no longer be the ‘right thinking’ – a sprinklered one will be.