Public sector framework provider calls on fire safety experts to register interest for new FS2 framework

Experts are being sought for a new framework to supply fire safety measures for the public sector. The Fire Safety (FS2) framework from not-for-profit public sector construction framework provider LHC is now open for registrations of interest until summer 2023.

It includes provision for new or replacement passive and active fire protection measures for existing and new domestic and non-domestic buildings, as well as consultancy and cladding.

Available to use by all public sector bodies across England, Scotland and Wales, FS2 expands on services previously offered in LHC’s FS1 framework. It also follows new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which came into force on 23 January this year, and introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 and Fire Safety Act 2021.

LHC Group is a not-for-profit framework provider, which aims to being buyers in the public sector together with suppliers to build, refurbish and maintain social housing and public property more effectively. The first stage of building a framework is ‘pre-tender agreement’, where LHC works with experts and assesses legislation and building regulations to identify and validate future procurement needs.

Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at LHC, said: “Fire safety has never been higher on the agenda with post-Grenfell regulations recently coming into force. It’s more important than ever for local authorities and social housing providers to carefully consider the preparedness of buildings in the event of a fire.

“We developed the FS2 framework in collaboration with the marketplace to provide more opportunities to work with a wider variety of suppliers, especially SMEs. Our public sector clients told us they want more availability of regional suppliers – and FS2 directly answers that demand.

“It’s also important we provide a comprehensive range of fire safety services for the public sector to access, especially as many fire safety suppliers offer both passive and active services from detection to spread prevention. It was a logical step to include both under one framework, because these work hand in hand in buildings to prevent, detect, alert, and even suppress a fire that has already started.”

A full breadth of fire-related services

FS2 features a range of fire-related services including: fire safety consultancy; fire risk assessments; fire safety inspections; passive fire protection installation, servicing, and maintenance; fire alarm installation testing, servicing, and maintenance; fire suppression system installation, servicing, and maintenance; waking watch services; and cladding remediation and replacement.

It will also include provision to replace, repair and maintain fire doors, shutters and associated equipment, install signage to meet the building’s fire strategy, and maintain and install carbon monoxide, heat and smoke detectors. Suppliers can also act as principal contractor for active fire protection and passive prevention.

Once registrations of interest have been received, FS2 tender documents will be made available in the summer of 2023. The framework will be available via both direct award and mini competition through LHC’s business units across the country, including Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC), Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA), South-West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) and LHC London and South East England (LSE).

LHC works closely with public sector organisations to develop values-based frameworks offering more opportunities for regional suppliers. LHC’s film with property maintenance specialist Novus Property Solutions explains more on the benefits of framework alliancing.

To find out more about FS2, register interest, and register for the pre-tender engagement webinar being hosted by LHC on 7 March, visit LHC Group’s In-Tend Portal.

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