Scottish Ministers on behalf of the Building Standards Division overturned a decision about the use of Automist in an exclusive new development in South Lanarkshire, agreeing that the system would enable the apartment block to meet requirements.
The challenge
Abbey Construction was building an exclusive development of 18 luxury apartments in the historic market town of Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Along with stylish, spacious rooms fitted out to a high specification, The Fairways homes feature floor-to-ceiling windows and full-length glass balconies with outstanding views over Strathaven Golf Course.
The developer chose Automist’s innovative system over alternative quotes due to its faster activation and discreet, more aesthetically pleasing, design.
However, South Lanarkshire Council initially rejected the use of Automist as they were unsure whether it complied with the building standards governing automatic fire suppression systems – mandatory functional standard 2.15 and guidance clause 2.15.1.
Standard 2.15 states: “Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that, in the event of an outbreak of fire within the building, fire growth will be inhibited by the operation of an automatic fire suppression system.”
Clause 2.15.1, relating to alternative suppression systems, states: “The applicant and the verifier should satisfy themselves that the alternative system has been designed, tested and approved for use in domestic and residential buildings and are fit for their intended purpose.”
Approach
The local authority originally had concerns around the system’s compliance to BS 8458 and if its electronic nozzles met BS 8663.
But Abbey Construction was convinced that Automist was the best system to protect the homes in this high-end development, so fully supported Plumis in appealing the council’s decision by requesting a ministerial view on the case.
It was referred to the Building Standards Division to consider, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, the detailed information we provided about Automist’s design, our extensive testing of the system and its documented performance.
Outcome
Having carefully considered all the information we submitted, Scottish Ministers took the view that the proposals did meet standard 2.15’s requirements in relation to this project, enabling Abbey Construction to have Automist installed in The Fairways apartments.
The decision took into account Clause 2.0.8, relating to alternative designs, which states: “It should be appreciated that, due to the generic nature of the guidance it cannot cover all building designs or, for example, innovative or new methods of construction. In such cases the designer or engineer will be required to show, by alternative means, that compliance with the building standards will be achieved in the completed building.”
Brian McCole, Managing Director of Abbey Construction, said: “I was more than happy to go through the ministerial view process with Plumis, as I believe Automist truly is one of the best fire suppression systems on the market.
“We were delighted with the ministers’ decision, as the technology is fantastic and will give our home buyers the additional peace of mind that their property is protected in the event of a fire.”
Automist was installed at the apartment complex by Unite Security and Electrical Services.
