Welcome to Your School Safe, a bespoke online survey and audit portal designed to assist with the safe maintenance and use of fire doors and associated building safety-related assets across a range of commercial and residential premises.*
Your School Safe was originally developed in response to the ‘Building a Safer Future - Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety” published in May 2018 by Dame Judith Hackitt DBE FREng. Dame Judith’s report was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by Command of Her Majesty after an independent review following the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The report’s primary focus was how the regulatory existing system covered high-rise and complex buildings. However, the report also detailed a conviction for a radical rethink of the whole system relating to fire and building safety including regular audits and the transparent reporting of and how a building and the people that use it are kept safe from fire risks.
The “Building a Safer Future” report specifically outlined the need for simpler and more effective solutions which deliver outcomes based changes (rather than based on prescriptive rules and complex guidance). These solutions must also drive the right behaviour. The approach outlined in the report acknowledged that prescriptive regulation and guidance were not helpful in designing and building complex buildings, especially in an environment where building technology and practices continue to evolve, and will prevent those undertaking building work from taking responsibility for their actions.
The report also recognised that an outcomes-based framework requires people who are part of the system to be competent, to think for themselves rather than blindly following guidance, and to understand their responsibilities to deliver and maintain safety and integrity throughout the life cycle of a building. The transparency of information and an audit trail all the way through the life cycle of a building from the planning stage to occupation and maintenance is considered essential to provide reassurance and evidence that a building has been built safe and continues to be safe.
Your School Safe provides a solution to assist with the objectives outlined in the report by offering a transparent view of the condition of fire doors and other fire and building safety related assets.
In addition, Your School Safe provides instantly accessible date stamped survey results to assist in keeping a school safe. This functionality ensures information is accurate, up to date, easily understandable and can be accessed by those who need it. In turn, this improved accessibility offers users the ability to enhance safety and efficiency by providing real time, multi-site safety data significantly improving material scheduling and staff allocation for safety checks and repair and maintenance.
Key metrics include - Door ratings, safe operating gaps, condition of intumescent strips, correct door signage, condition of fire glass, failure to close as well as the condition of closers. Your School Safe also provides key building safety information such as fire risk assessments, reports & certificates, structural plans and details etc. in one place.
Your School Safe -
Supporting The Golden Thread:
The Golden Thread is a concept within building safety that emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear, accurate, and accessible information throughout a building’s lifecycle, from design and construction to occupation and ongoing maintenance. While there isn’t a definitive list of recommendations associated with the Golden Thread, its principles generally include the following key aspects:
Information Transparency:
Ensure that critical information related to building safety, such as design intent, fire safety features, materials used, and maintenance requirements, is transparent and easily accessible to all stakeholders throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Digital Documentation:
Embrace digital technologies to create and manage comprehensive building information models (BIM), digital twins, or other digital platforms that centralize building information and facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders.
Standardised Data Formats:
Adopt standardised data formats and protocols to ensure interoperability and consistency across different stages of the building lifecycle, enabling seamless exchange of information between designers, contractors, owners, and regulators.
Lifecycle Management:
Recognise that building safety is an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and management throughout the building’s lifecycle, from initial design and construction through occupancy, refurbishment, and eventual demolition or decommissioning.
Regulatory Compliance:
Ensure that building information and documentation comply with relevant regulatory requirements and standards, including those related to fire safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Training and Education:
Provide training and education for stakeholders involved in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings to enhance their understanding of building safety principles and their responsibilities in maintaining the Golden Thread.
Cultural Change:
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration within the construction industry to prioritize building safety and ensure that the Golden Thread principles are embedded in all aspects of building design, construction, and management.
Continuous Improvement:
Continuously review and refine processes, technologies, and practices related to building safety to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements, technological advancements, and lessons learned from past incidents or failures.
The Golden Thread concept aims to address systemic deficiencies in building safety by
promoting a holistic and proactive approach to managing building information and ensuring that critical safety-related data is preserved, updated, and readily available throughout the building’s lifecycle. By implementing the Golden Thread principles, stakeholders can enhance building safety, reduce risks, and improve the overall resilience and performance of built environments.
For more information about the use of Your School Safe please contact:
*Your School Safe is NOT a fire risk assessment tool and should not be considered as such. Qualified fire safety consultants or specialists may be hired by local authorities, businesses or property owners to conduct fire risk assessments on their behalf. These professionals have expertise in fire safety regulations, building codes, and industry best practices.
Regardless of who completes the fire risk assessment, it’s crucial that the individual or organisation is competent and adequately trained to perform the assessment effectively. The assessment process should be thorough, systematic, and documented to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards and to mitigate fire hazards effectively.