PSBJ (Public Sector Build Journal) is the industry’s leading monthly title for architects, contractors, LAs and heads of sites at schools, hospitals and leisure centres, looking to make informed decisions when specifying building products.
Latest Issue
Welcome to the October issue of PSBJ…
Following seven years of investigation, last month’s long-awaited release of the final 1700-page Grenfell Report identified those responsible for the safety failures that led to the 2017 disaster, which claimed 72 lives. The report calls for urgent reform in architectural education, emphasising the need for enhanced practical skills and safety knowledge and urging architects to take their responsibilities seriously.
The focus on fire safety is growing, with annual architectural events dedicated to the crucial topic, such as the Fire Safety Event and the upcoming Anticipate London (formerly known as FIREX), which we’ll be previewing in next month’s issue of PSBJ. These platforms are fostering more discussions and creating dedicated spaces for fire safety.
In this month’s issue, Dr. Karthick Govarthanam, General Manager for FIREFLY, continues his seminar presentation from this year’s Fire Safety Event, held in April at Birmingham’s NEC, exploring the challenges surrounding fire risk in roof voids. Turn to page 14 to read the full article.
Additionally, we address another building safety issue that affected public sector buildings last year: Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Commonly used in the roofs, walls and floors of schools, hospitals and offices due to its cost effectiveness and ease of installation, RAAC has been found to pose significant structural risks, including potential collapse. The widespread concerns over the safety of RAAC in public sector buildings underscore the need for careful consideration of materials and specifications, which SFS addresses on page 36 with guidance on choosing safe and sustainable flat roofing solutions.
