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Project Details

Kensington Forum is a commercial office building located within one of London’s most established and prestigious districts. The development accommodates high occupancy office spaces with complex internal layouts, requiring a sophisticated fire detection and life safety strategy capable of providing early warning, clear occupant communication, and reliable system performance.

Our involvement focused on the design coordination and technical assurance of the fire detection and alarm system, emergency voice communication system, and aspirating smoke detection, all developed in accordance with BS 5839. Particular emphasis was placed on early fire detection within critical and higher risk areas, ensuring rapid response while minimising false alarms in a busy commercial environment.

The integration of aspirating smoke detection was key to achieving enhanced sensitivity in areas where traditional point detection would be less effective or visually intrusive. The emergency voice communication system was carefully coordinated to support safe evacuation and clear messaging, aligned with the building’s evacuation strategy and occupancy profile.

Close collaboration with the wider design team and project stakeholders ensured that all systems were seamlessly integrated within the building’s architecture and services, without compromising aesthetics or operational efficiency.

Pre Construction Phase Design

During the pre construction phase, our team developed the initial fire detection and life safety system designs to establish a coordinated and compliant solution aligned with the overall building fire strategy.

This included defining detector types and zoning arrangements, integration of aspirating systems within sensitive areas, and coordination of emergency voice communication interfaces. Particular attention was given to system coverage, audibility, intelligibility, and long term maintainability.

Design coordination was undertaken with architectural, structural, and MEP teams to resolve spatial constraints, ceiling interfaces, and service integration challenges, ensuring systems remained accessible for inspection, testing, and ongoing operation.

The pre construction design work provided a robust technical foundation to support statutory approvals, stakeholder acceptance, and progression into detailed design.

Pre Construction Phase Documentation and Planning

In parallel with the design activities, a comprehensive suite of pre construction documentation was prepared to support quality assurance, safety management, and programme development.

This included technical submissions outlining system intent, equipment selection, and compliance with BS 5839 and project specific requirements.

Inspection and Test Plans were developed to define quality control procedures, verification stages, and acceptance criteria across all life safety systems.

Initial Risk Assessment Method Statements were produced to establish safe working practices and to provide a structured framework for the development of site specific RAMS during the construction phase, taking into account live building environments and phased works.

An outline pre construction and construction programme was also prepared, identifying key milestones, sequencing activities, and coordination requirements to support efficient delivery.

Through coordinated design development, comprehensive documentation, and continued technical support, the fire detection and life safety systems were delivered as robust, compliant, and intelligent solutions, enhancing occupant safety and supporting the operational needs of a high end commercial development.