Fire safety experts in Scotland offered chance to protect public buildings

A Scottish procurement firm has invited businesses to apply for its new fire safety framework, which launches in early 2024, to bid for potential work said to be up to £20 million to support a wide range of public bodies.

Potential suppliers include consultants, assessors and experts who can install safety measures from fire doors and alarms to sprinkler systems. It also covers remedial cladding for public buildings.

Interested firms and experts have until 24 August 2023 to lodge applications with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) a free-to-join procurement organisation for public sector buyers.

Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at SPA, said: “Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety has become a paramount concern for local authorities and social housing providers. They are prioritising the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire.

“We’re extremely proud of this important evolution of our fire safety framework, which will give public organisations peace of mind. They can be assured that any works or services they are undertaking will be delivered by proven and fully-qualified experts to meet the most exacting, current standards.”

Known as FS2, it is said to combine two previous SPA frameworks while adding in a host of active fire safety measures including sprinklers, wet and dry risers, emergency lighting, domestic alarms and waking watch services.

According to SPA, it also covers fire panels, automatic opening ventilation (AOV), cladding assessment and remedial work, and was developed with input from experts to meet post-Grenfell building safety legislation, introduced on both sides of the border.

“Emphasis on local suppliers”

Lesley added: “This is an outstanding opportunity for businesses with expertise and capability in fire safety. They have a chance to put themselves in front of the public bodies who need their services.

“With an emphasis on local suppliers, FS2 aims to ensure that vital contracts are delivered efficiently and to benefit the local economy. It offers Scottish SMEs a chance to increase their business opportunities creating jobs and employment across the country.”

As part of FS2, there are said to be eight workstreams, covering Fire Consultancy; Fire Risk Assessments; Waking Watch; Installation and Remediation of Passive Fire Protection; Installation, Servicing and Maintenance of Active Fire Protection; Installation, Servicing and Maintenance of Fire Suppression; Cladding Remediation; Multi-Disciplinary.

SPA advise that bidders must be able to demonstrate a minimum turnover of £250k to be awarded to the framework, which will cover North-Eastern Scotland, Highlands and Islands, Eastern Scotland, West Central Scotland and Southern Scotland. The framework is split into lots by region. Bidders are said to be able to apply for regions that best suit their capabilities/focus.

The initiative is similar to the FS2 Fire Safety Framework launched by another procurement body, LHC earlier this year.