ABOUT US

I have over 35 years’ experience in providing fire safety advice to designers, developers, contractors and building operators, initially as a Chartered Building Control Surveyor and then as a Fire Engineer.

I am a Director at Vanguard Fire Consultancy Ltd and have experience in providing advice across all the key sectors of the construction industry from concept through to design, construction, commissioning, handover and use of a building. I have specialised in and am an expert in high rise residential fire safety design through my last role with FDS. I have also specialised in and I am an expert in healthcare fire safety design through my role at DoH and subsequent experience in the design and construction of hospitals.

I have also led the development of fire safety solutions for a large variety of projects in a wide spectrum of sectors including residential, offices, retail, education, leisure, rail and airports. As a result of this I have experience of using and detailed knowledge of a wide range of fire safety design guidance including the Approved Documents, BS 9999, BS 9991, BS 7974, BB100, and NHS HTM’s. I also have experience using and knowledge of British Standards relating to fire safety systems design (e.g. fire alarms, sprinklers and smoke ventilation) and testing of materials and products (e.g. fire stopping and external cladding).

I have developed an interest and experience in the role of Expert Witness and Dispute Resolution and have provided advice to claimants and defendants on a number of residential and healthcare disputes (including external walls).

I have successfully completed the RICS External Wall System Course in October 2021 including producing reports using PAS9980 and signing EWS1 forms for Option A and Option B in buildings with low or medium risk. This Level 6 Award is an Ofqual regulated qualification accredited by ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment). My qualifications and experience meet the Institution of Fire Engineers guidance on the experience and professional registration required to carry out EWS1 surveys for buildings under 18m high using Option A or B and for buildings over 18m high using Option A only. I have also conducted fire risk appraisals of external walls for other building types.