Overview

Tai Calon Community Housing manages homes across South Wales and is committed to maintaining safe, compliant and well-managed housing for its residents.

Over the past year, Global HSE Group has worked closely with Tai Calon Community Housing as a specialist fire safety partner, supporting the organisation across fire consultancy, passive fire protection, compliance assurance and future development planning.

The partnership has given Tai Calon clearer oversight of fire safety actions, faster access to technical expertise, and practical solutions for complex compliance challenges across its housing portfolio.

Challenges and Obstacles

Before working with Global, Tai Calon faced several challenges in managing and evidencing fire safety compliance across its housing portfolio.

One of the key issues was access to fire engineering expertise, making it more difficult to respond confidently to complex fire safety issues, non-standard compliance conditions and emerging compliance risks.

Tai Calon also needed a clearer way to track actions arising from Fire Risk Assessment (FRAs). Without a centralised platform, monitoring progress and demonstrating compliance across the portfolio had become increasingly complex.

Another challenge related to flat entrance door sets. Tai Calon required a suitable, tested and practical remediation solution that could support compliance across its housing stock without creating unnecessary cost or disruption.

Our Role

Global works closely with Tai Calon as a trusted fire safety partner, providing specialist support across both its existing housing stock and future development projects.

Our involvement includes:

• Fire safety consultancy and fire engineering input
• Fire Risk Assessment support
• Fire stopping and compartmentation reviews
• Support with FRA action tracking through Risk Base
• Technical guidance on flat entrance door remediation
• Implementation of Ceasefire composite fire doors
• Advice and assurance for future development projects
• Support with upskilling Tai Calon’s internal team

This collaborative approach gives Tai Calon access to the expertise, reassurance, and independent scrutiny needed to make informed decisions that support safer homes for residents.

Our Approach

Global HSE Group worked collaboratively with Tai Calon to deliver a proactive, risk-based approach to fire safety management.

A key part of this was the introduction of Risk Base, giving Tai Calon improved visibility of FRA actions, responsibilities and progress. This helped move fire safety action tracking away from fragmented processes and towards a clearer, more transparent system for managing compliance.

Global also provided direct fire engineering and consultancy support, helping Tai Calon navigate complex issues with greater confidence. This gave the organisation reassurance when dealing with technical decisions that required specialist interpretation.

For flat entrance doors, Global helped identify and implement Ceasefire composite fire doors as a tested solution. This provided Tai Calon with a practical and compliant route for remediation across its portfolio.

“From the outset, Global has brought a depth of knowledge and delivered high quality, technically robust support across a range of specialist areas, including Fire Risk Assessments, fire stopping and compartmentation reviews, and comprehensive Fire Consultancy and Fire Engineering input.

Their guidance has been instrumental in helping Tai Calon understand and address emerging fire safety challenges.”

Kieron Golding, Health, Safety & Compliance Manager, Tai Calon Community Housing

Project Result

Through its partnership with Global, Tai Calon has strengthened its overall approach to fire safety management and compliance oversight.

Key outcomes include:

• Improved visibility and tracking of FRA actions through Risk Base
• Faster access to specialist fire engineering expertise
• Stronger assurance around fire stopping and compartmentation
• A tested and practical solution for flat entrance door remediation
• Greater confidence in compliance decisions across existing housing stock
• Technical support for future development projects
• Increased internal knowledge and capability within Tai Calon’s team

The partnership has helped Tai Calon move towards a more proactive, informed and resilient approach to building safety.

Conclusion

Global’s work with Tai Calon demonstrates the value of a long-term fire safety partnership built on technical knowledge, practical delivery and trust.

By combining consultancy, passive fire protection expertise, digital compliance support and tested remediation solutions, Global has helped Tai Calon strengthen its fire safety management and make more confident decisions across both existing homes and future projects.

Most importantly, the partnership supports Tai Calon’s wider commitment to protecting residents and maintaining safe, compliant homes across its communities.

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Overview

Housing 21 appointed Global HSE Group to provide fire scrutineering support on a new development in Guisborough, with Vistry Group acting as Principal Contractor. 

Housing 21 is a leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care housing for older people. Its developments are designed to help residents live independently, with access to care and support where required. 

Global was appointed to provide an independent review of fire safety measures during construction, raise any concerns early, and help the project team build confidence that the works were being delivered in line with the fire strategy, relevant guidance and manufacturer requirements. 

For a development that would become home to older residents, this was especially important. Fire safety details needed to be reviewed while they were still visible and accessible, not left until the end of the build when issues can be harder, slower and more expensive to resolve. 

The Role of the Fire Scrutineer

Global HSE Group’s role was to review and comment on fire safety measures as the construction of the building progressed. This meant providing a practical review of what was happening on site, identifying anything that needed clarification, and helping the team deal with issues before they became more difficult to resolve. 

This included areas such as structural steel protection, fire stopping, riser cupboards, protected shafts, fire doors and other elements linked to the building’s fire strategy. 

A Proactive Principal Contractor

What stood out on the Guisborough project was the way Vistry engaged with the process. 

During site visits, Global’s Fire Scrutineer walked the site, took photographs, made notes and reviewed works in progress. After the walkaround, the findings were discussed directly with Vistry’s site team. This meant urgent points could be talked through there and then, rather than waiting for the formal report to be issued. 

Where items needed immediate attention, Vistry were proactive. The site team listened, asked questions, spoke to subcontractors and started gathering evidence. In some cases, changes were made before the final report had even been issued. 

Acting Early, Before Issues Become Harder to Fix

One example related to fire boarding around structural steel. During a site review, Global identified that some board joints appeared to have been installed in line with each other, rather than staggered in accordance with typical manufacturer requirements. If left unresolved, this could have created a potential weak point. 

The issue was raised with Vistry’s site team, who acted quickly. The relevant boards were stripped back, adjusted and reinstated to create the required stagger. By the time the report was being completed, the issue was already close to being closed out. 

Other observations related to details such as screw spacings, fire protection and works that were still in progress. These are exactly the types of items that can become much harder to deal with later if ceilings, finishes or services are installed over the top.

Building Confidence Through Evidence

Where clarification was needed, Vistry engaged with subcontractors and requested manufacturer information, technical data sheets or photographic evidence. This allowed Global to review the response and close items out where the evidence supported it. 

For Housing 21, this provided confidence that its Principal Contractor was engaging properly with the fire safety review process. For Vistry, it helped show that issues were being taken seriously and dealt with in a timely way. For Global, it meant the team could provide advice that was practical, proportionate and focused on the finished building. 

A Smoother Route to Completion

The Guisborough project showed the benefit of dealing with fire safety details at the right time. 

Because the site team was open to scrutiny and willing to act quickly, the process supported progress rather than disrupting it. Issues were discussed early, evidence was gathered, and corrective actions were taken before they became more difficult to manage. 

By the later stages of the project, including the pre-occupation fire risk assessment, there was clearer evidence in place and a better level of confidence in the fire safety measures that had been installed. This helped support a smoother route to handover and occupation. 

The Value of Fire Scutineering

Fire scrutineering does not replace the responsibilities of the design team, Principal Contractor or Building Control. It provides an additional check during construction, when details can still be reviewed, questioned and corrected. 

On the Guisborough project, that process worked well because all parties approached it in the right way. Housing 21 wanted confidence in the building. Vistry engaged openly with the process. Global provided practical, independent advice based on what was seen on site. 

The result was a positive working relationship and a project where fire safety issues could be raised, discussed and resolved as part of the construction process. 

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Overview

Kier Construction appointed Global HSE Group to provide independent fire scrutineering across a number of live construction projects, including Oak Academy Secondary School and Winchester Sports & Leisure Centre.

The role was to give Kier and its project teams clear, independent assurance that passive fire protection measures were being designed, coordinated and installed correctly during construction. This included reviewing passive fire protection, fire stopping, compartmentation, fire doors, glazed screens and service penetrations against the approved fire strategy, Building Regulations and tested manufacturer guidance.

Fire safety issues are much easier to resolve while walls, ceilings and service routes are still accessible. Once a project reaches the later stages of construction, the same issues can become slower, more disruptive and more expensive to put right. Global’s role was to help identify concerns early, support better coordination between trades and reduce the risk of non-compliant installations being hidden within the finished building.

Key Services Delivered:

• Independent Fire Scrutineering
• Design and Fire Strategy Reviews
• Site Inspections and Compliance Reporting
• Fire Stopping and Compartmentation Reviews
• Passive Fire Protection Assurance

Challenges and Obstacles

Kier’s projects often involved multiple contractors working across different stages of construction. Fire stopping, dry lining, M&E installations, fire doors and internal compartmentation all needed to align with the approved fire strategy and relevant manufacturer tested details. Design changes, product substitutions and variations in workmanship add further complexity across large-scale construction programmes.

On large construction projects, issues can easily become fragmented between different trades. Without independent scrutiny, there is a risk that small installation issues are missed until later in the programme, when they are more difficult and costly to resolve.

Project Highlights

Global’s fire scrutineering services provided Kier with greater visibility of fire safety compliance during construction, helping to ensure passive fire protection measures were installed in accordance with approved designs and tested manufacturer guidance.

Potential issues were identified and communicated early, supporting better coordination between trades and helping to improve the quality of installations before areas were completed or concealed.

The independent review process helped Kier reduce the risk of non-compliant fire safety installations, avoid unnecessary late-stage remedial activity and maintain stronger evidence of compliance throughout the construction phase. This provided Kier and its clients with the confidence that fire safety requirements were being effectively managed from construction through to completion.

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Overview

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish Government introduced the Single Building Assessment (SBA) process to support the assessment and remediation of buildings with potential external wall fire risks. The SBA process was later given full statutory backing through the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which came into force on 6 January 2025, reinforcing the importance of robust, evidence-based fire safety assessments across Scotland’s residential sector.

Client Brief

Global HSE Group was appointed by Queen’s Cross Housing Association to deliver a portfolio-wide programme of Single Building Assessments (SBAs) across 31 residential buildings throughout Glasgow including six High-Risk Residential Buildings (HRRBs). 

The client required the works to be completed within an extremely challenging timeframe to align with funding and submission deadlines. 

The portfolio included a broad range of building types and occupancy uses, including general needs residential accommodation, extra care facilities and children’s homes. The buildings also varied significantly in age, construction methods and façade systems, creating a technically complex assessment programme. 

Service Provided

Global HSE Group delivered a fully coordinated SBA programme incorporating: 

• Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)

• Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs)

• Intrusive façade investigations

• Fire engineering review

• Holistic SBA reporting

The assessments were undertaken using a multidisciplinary approach that combined internal fire risk findings with external wall risk assessments to produce a single holistic view of each building’s fire safety performance. This approach ensured that interactions between compartmentation, fire strategy measures and external wall construction could be considered collectively rather than reviewed in isolation. 

The project included detailed pre-planning exercises to identify suitable access methods, intrusive opening locations and high-value investigation areas across the portfolio. Investigations focused on critical interfaces such as cavity barriers, compartment lines, slab edges and window interfaces. 

Access strategies were developed around the occupied nature of the buildings and the constraints presented by dense urban environments throughout Glasgow. 

The programme also relied on continuous collaboration between intrusive investigation teams, façade specialists, technical reviewers and chartered fire engineers to ensure that findings could be reviewed, validated and incorporated into final reporting within programme deadlines.

Challenges and Obstacles

The primary challenge associated with the project was the delivery deadline itself. The project required mobilisation, surveying, intrusive investigations, technical review and final reporting across 31 buildings within approximately 12 weeks. 

The buildings presented a wide range of access challenges including restricted urban locations, parked vehicles, power line constraints, limited access to rear elevations and occupied residential environments. Several properties required dynamic adjustments to access strategies while works were live on site. 

The project was further complicated by limited existing building information. In many cases, historic drawings, elevations and façade details were either incomplete or unavailable, increasing the complexity of survey planning and intrusive investigation coordination. 

The Scottish Government guidance relating to SBA reporting continued to evolve during the project, requiring ongoing technical review and adaptation of reporting outputs.

Project Highlights

The project required survey teams, façade specialists, fire engineers and technical reviewers to operate simultaneously across multiple workstreams while maintaining consistent quality and governance standards. 

The programme also demonstrated the value of a genuinely integrated SBA methodology. Rather than treating FRAs and FRAEWs as separate exercises, the project combined all findings into a single holistic assessment process that provides Queen’s Cross Housing Association with a more accurate understanding of building risk and remediation priorities across the portfolio. 

Another significant stand out was the level of collaboration achieved between Global HSE Group, specialist contractors and the client team. In several instances, intrusive investigations were reviewed remotely in real time by technical specialists and chartered fire engineers, allowing immediate decisions to be made on additional opening requirements without delaying programme delivery. 

The project further highlighted the value of strong contractor relationships, particularly where additional investigations or access requirements arose at very short notice. 

Project Outcome

Global HSE Group successfully completed the Queen’s Cross SBA programme within the required delivery period despite the significant logistical and technical pressures associated with the project. 

The completed assessments provided Queen’s Cross Housing Association with comprehensive SBA documentation aligned with Scottish Government requirements, supporting future fire safety decision-making across the portfolio. 

The successful delivery demonstrated Global HSE Group’s ability to mobilise quickly, coordinate multiple technical disciplines simultaneously and maintain technical governance throughout a high-pressure programme. 

John Boyle, Head of Asset Management at Queen’s Cross Housing Association commented, “We were very pleased with the services provided by Global HSE, who delivered Single Building Assessments within extremely tight timescales. Their team demonstrated professionalism, efficiency, and a clear commitment to meeting our requirements without compromising quality. We would not hesitate to recommend Global HSE for their reliable and responsive approach.” 

Key Outcome

• Delivered SBA assessments across 31 occupied residential buildings within critical programme deadlines  

• Completed assessments across a diverse portfolio including HRRBs, extra care facilities and children’s homes  

• Provided holistic fire safety assessments integrating FRA and FRAEW findings  

• Enabled informed remediation planning and long-term fire safety management  

• Maintained technical governance and chartered fire engineering oversight throughout accelerated delivery  

• Demonstrated large-scale mobilisation and multidisciplinary coordination capability across complex occupied environments

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Overview

Global Building Environments (GBE), part of the Global HSE Group, were appointed as Principal Contractor for a retrofit project across ten stair cores within a purpose-built student accommodation site in Leicester.

The development required upgrades to its smoke ventilation systems, with one of the stair cores exceeding 18 metres in height, necessitating a Building Safety Regulator Gateway 2 application.

The objective was to enhance the building’s fire safety and compliance, ensuring effective smoke extraction and improved occupant safety while minimising disruption to residents.

Initial Brief

Following concerns highlighted in a consultant’s report regarding the existing smoke ventilation system, GBE were commissioned to undertake the retrofit as the Principal Contractor.

The client’s requirements included the installation and integration of new automatic opening ventilators (AOVs) and motorised fire doors to upgrade the existing systems to current British Standards.

GBE were responsible for site preparation, enabling works, builders’ work in construction, installation of the smoke ventilation system, and full electrical and fire alarm integration. The project also included commissioning and handover of all fire safety systems.  

Teamwork

GBE worked collaboratively with the client and consultants to develop a clear and structured programme that enabled the retrofit to be completed safely within a live student environment.

The project involved the installation of 10 head-of-stair AOVs, 6 motorised fire doors, and 1 façade AOV window ventilator across protected fire lobbies.

The team coordinated closely with suppliers and subcontractors to manage lead times and maintain compliance with the required standards. Throughout the project, the operations team maintained open communication with the client to align expectations and minimise disturbance to paying residents.

Challenges and Obstacles

The project presented several logistical challenges:

1. Working during winter months, where weather conditions impacted external works.
2. Working at height, requiring robust health and safety measures.
3. Supplier lead times that caused a potential two-week delay.

Despite these challenges, GBE managed to maintain momentum on-site and delivered the project in line with the client’s expectations.

Results

The Leicester PBSA project was successfully delivered on budget, with only a two-week delay due to supplier lead times—absorbed within the client’s contingency.

The client expressed full satisfaction with the outcome, noting minimal disturbance to students and smooth project execution throughout.

GBE’s role as Principal Contractor ensured seamless coordination from planning through to commissioning, with all fire safety systems tested, certified, and handed over to meet regulatory compliance.

This project further demonstrated GBE’s capability to deliver complex fire safety retrofits efficiently and safely within operational residential environments.

• A complete digital log of all works carried out including location and details used.
• Full set of O+M’s including details of all the products used and the relevant test data and certification for them.
• Full set of “as built” drawings of the works carried out.
• 3rd party accreditation for all of the works done.

Summary

The Leicester PBSA retrofit project highlights GBE’s comprehensive approach to safety, compliance, and delivery excellence.

Through proactive supplier management, collaborative planning, and attention to live-site constraints, GBE completed the works within the client’s expectations and maintained compliance with all relevant fire safety standards.

The project strengthened the partnership between the PBSA Provider and GBE, reinforcing confidence in GBE’s ability to manage large-scale retrofit works within sensitive, occupied environments.

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Colin Pearce, a Property and Facilities Consultant with over 20 years’ experience in property development and maintenance, recently completed the Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection with Global Academy. He discovered the course through the Global Technical Services website and wanted to gain a recognised qualification that would further strengthen his knowledge and give him confidence in his role.

For Colin, the aim was to add a specific, accredited competence to his broad fire safety knowledge. The qualification gave him practical insight and a recognised standard to demonstrate to clients and colleagues.

“The team at Global Academy provided an excellent experience whilst on the Level 3 Fire Door Inspection Course. From enquiring about the course and throughout, I could not have asked for better service. The delivery and knowledge of the instructors was fantastic. Thank you for making the course both enjoyable and informative.”

Why Global Academy

Global Academy is not a typical training provider. The Level 3 Fire Door Inspection course is delivered in Global Academy’s purpose-built training facility, designed to reflect real-world conditions, where learners handle and assess genuine installations. This means participants can apply what they learn immediately and with confidence.

The teaching team also bring deep industry experience. Keith Plowman, one of Global Academy’s instructors, explained, “This qualification is about more than just theory. By giving learners the chance to work directly with fire door installations in our training centre, they can connect the knowledge to real-world scenarios. It’s this balance of classroom and practical learning that really helps to build confidence, and sets Global Academy apart from other qualifications and courses.”

The Value of Accreditation

Completing the Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection is a mark of professional competence. For Colin, it was the next step in demonstrating his expertise and reinforcing the standards expected within the property and construction sectors.

The Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection has given him not just a certificate, but a deeper understanding of the vital role fire doors play in protecting lives and ensuring compliance.

Our Ofqual approved qualifications are tailored for those in the construction, safety, and facilities management industries, providing the skills and qualifications necessary to meet regulatory standards and ensure best practices in fire safety.

With ABBE-accredited qualifications and a comprehensive range of specialised courses, Global Academy is the perfect partner to help you build a safer future.

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM 

Services Provided

• Energy Performance Analysis
• Air Quality Assessment
• Ventilation Strategy
• Retrofit Recommendations

Overview

In 2024, Global Building Environments (GBE), a division of Global HSE Group, was commissioned to assess and enhance the energy efficiency, ventilation strategy, and air quality performance at a two-storey hotel originally built in 2000 and renovated in 2016. The building was operating with outdated systems and high running costs, and the last Energy Performance Certificate was issued in 2012.  

Situation

GBE conducted a detailed multi-disciplinary assessment, combining: 

• Thermal Dynamic Modelling using IES VE software 
• SBEM calculations for CO₂ and energy demand 
• On-site air quality surveys 
• Ventilation pressure drop calculations 
• Mechanical and electrical system audits 

Challenges –  

• Outdated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued in 2012 
• Inefficient, damaged, and poorly connected ventilation systems 
• Excessive humidity levels and risk of condensation in bedrooms and corridors 
• High energy usage and rising operational costs 
• Lack of scalable drawings and incomplete existing design documentation 

Three retrofit scenarios were modelled: 

1. Building Envelope Improvements (U-value & airtightness enhancements) 
2. Heat Pump Integration 
3. Solar PV Deployment 

Solution: 

GBE carried out a full assessment, combining thermal dynamic modelling using IES VE, SBEM calculations, air quality surveys, ventilation pressure drop analysis, and detailed mechanical and electrical system audits. The findings highlighted inefficient and damaged ventilation systems, humidity levels of up to 86% in bedrooms and corridors, and incomplete design documentation, all contributing to poor performance and rising energy use. 

To address the issues, the team modelled three retrofit scenarios, which were:  

• Building envelope improvements (U-value and airtightness upgrades)  
• Air-source heat pump integration  
• Solar PV deployment  

The results from this showed clear opportunities for GEB to provide their support on this project. Fabric upgrades alone offered a 34.5% reduction in heating energy demand, with a return on investment of 3.5–4.5 years. Adding heat pump integration increased savings by 40%, with solar PV offsetting an additional 10.5 tonnes of CO₂ annually. In total, the combined measures were projected to cut 65 tonnes of CO₂ per year. 

Ventilation improvements were also a priority. We recommended replacing flexible ductwork with rigid systems, reconnecting underperforming fans, and introducing a centralised MVHR system. These changes would resolve circulation issues, reduce humidity, and improve overall air quality while aligning the building with Part L and F of the Building Regulations, PAS 2035, and the Building Safety Act 2022. 

Results

The outcome was a phased, evidence-based retrofit strategy delivering immediate energy savings, a healthier indoor environment, and long-term resilience. For the client, this meant reduced operational costs, regulatory compliance, and a stronger sustainability profile, supported by data-rich reporting to guide capital planning and investment decisions. 

The results from this project include:  

• 34.5% heating energy reduction through fabric improvements 
• Additional 40% savings from air-source heat pump integration 
• Estimated 65 tonnes CO₂/year saved through combined improvements, and an additional 10.5 tonnes CO₂/year from solar PV offset 
• Recommended replacing flexible ductwork with rigid systems, proposed centralised MVHR system for long-term efficiency and compliance 

• Addressed cold spots, poor circulation, and high humidity (83–86%) in rooms 
• Aligned retrofit proposals with: 
  • Building Regulations Part L & F 
  • PAS 2035 
  • BS EN ISO 14001:2004 
  • Building Safety Act 2022 

Summary

GBE’s multidisciplinary approach combined simulation, site intelligence, and engineering insight in order to deliver a roadmap for measurable improvements to energy performance and air quality.  

Client Value Delivered –  

• A clearly phased, evidence-based retrofit strategy 
• Immediate and long-term cost savings 
• Regulatory compliance and enhanced sustainability profile 
• Healthier indoor environment for guests and staff 
• Data-rich reporting to support capital planning and decision-making 

Support from 9 AM to 5 PM