Meet Chris Houchen - Delivering comprehensive fire safety solutions.

We sat down with our newest Associate Director, Chris Houchen, to explore his extensive background in fire safety engineering. Chris shares insights from his rich career, emphasising the specialised services he provides and his approach to advancing fire safety standards.

Chris, could you tell us more about your fire safety engineering/ consultancy expertise?

My career has predominantly centred around the designing, testing and assessing of timber-based door assemblies, but I've also had extensive experience with composite door manufacturers, door hardware suppliers, fire-rated glass producers and fire-stopping companies. Whilst managing a fire resistance test laboratory, I gained invaluable experience in the intricacies of fire resistance testing and how different materials, and more importantly, combinations of different materials, behaved when exposed to the force of a fully developed fire. Auditing various manufacturers around the world also gave me the insight in how even small design changes can have a big impact on the reproducibility of a product when manufacturing it on a commercial scale.

What led you to offer ongoing technical support for companies without dedicated technical managers?

Having been a technical manager for a major door system provider and dealing with numerous door fabricators, I was well placed to advise companies when there was a gap in their knowledge or understanding of specific aspects. In my current position within a fire engineering consultancy business, my ongoing technical support is designed to provide quick, reliable answers to technical queries, helping companies ensure compliance and make informed decisions. This service is structured with an annual contract based on an hourly rate, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for accessing specialised knowledge.

Can you explain the significance of your fire test design advice and how it benefits companies?

The need for construction products to demonstrate their ability to achieve a positive fire resisting performance, either in their own right or as part of a larger assembly, has become even more important in order to prove that their product is ‘fit for purpose’. My service involves guiding clients through the fire test design process to optimise not only the chance of a successful test result, but to also maximise the potential future application of their products. This includes everything from pre-test design checks to overseeing full test programs, liaising with laboratories, and help draft detailed test reports to try to ensure all necessary information is included. This comprehensive approach helps prevent costly re-tests and can accelerate the timescales of product development.

How do project-specific assessments work, and why are they important?

Given the costs and sometimes high lead times required for fire resistance testing, it's often impractical to test every possible design variation likely to be encountered on-site. Project-specific assessments involve making technical evaluations of these variations. I assess factors like larger specimen sizes, combinations of different products, or bespoke installation methods, often incorporating compensatory measures such as increased intumescent protection or thicker door leaves/frames in order to justify minor design changes. These assessments are produced under the guidance outlined in the 'Passive Fire Protection Forum' (PFPF) ‘Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence’ and must be produced in accordance with the principles of BS EN 15725: 2023, ensuring they are technically robust.

What are the advantages of obtaining a Field of Application report?

A fire resistance test report is a factual statement of what was tested and the results it achieved and will not give details of any permitted variations. A Field of Application report expands on fire test results by outlining permissible variations from the originally tested design. This not only broadens the market application of a product but also provides manufacturers and regulatory bodies with clear guidelines on what modifications are acceptable. The report is created by extrapolating the original test results to allow for both larger and smaller configurations, alternative hardware, and less onerous installation methods, maximising the product’s scope and utility.

How can those interested in accessing your expertise reach you?

I’m here to help businesses navigate the complexities of fire safety and product testing. For expert advice or to discuss your specific fire safety needs, please email me at [email protected] or call 07907 867415.

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