Black Mountain Fire
Performance-based fire engineering solutions for complex building projects across the UK.
Fire engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to protect people, property, and the environment from the destructive effects of fire. At Black Mountain Fire, our engineers use performance-based approaches to develop solutions that go beyond prescriptive compliance.
Whether you are designing a new high-rise development, refurbishing a heritage building, or need support for litigation, our team has the experience and technical capability to deliver robust, cost-effective fire engineering solutions that satisfy building control, insurers, and the fire service.
We provide performance-based fire engineering design solutions as an alternative to prescriptive guidance such as Approved Document B and BS 9999. Our designs allow for greater architectural flexibility while maintaining the highest levels of fire safety.
Our fire engineers use quantitative analysis methods in accordance with BS 7974 (Application of Fire Safety Engineering Principles) to develop bespoke solutions for complex buildings. This approach is particularly valuable for open-plan designs, extended travel distances, reduced fire resistance periods, and buildings with atria or large uncompartmented spaces.
We work closely with architects, developers, building control bodies, and the fire service from concept stage through to practical completion, ensuring fire safety is embedded in the design rather than applied retrospectively.
Our fire strategies are developed from the concept stage through to completion, ensuring fire safety is integrated into the design process. We work closely with architects, developers and building control to deliver practical solutions that satisfy all stakeholders.
Each fire strategy document addresses means of escape, structural fire resistance, internal fire spread (linings and structure), external fire spread, access and facilities for the fire service, and active fire protection systems. We tailor our approach to the specific building type, occupancy, and regulatory framework applicable to your project.
For complex or innovative building designs, we supplement our fire strategies with computational modelling, smoke analysis, and evacuation simulations to demonstrate that the proposed design achieves an acceptable level of safety.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) smoke modelling allows us to simulate how smoke will behave within a building during a fire. This powerful technique enables our engineers to assess the performance of smoke control systems and evacuation strategies under realistic fire conditions.
We use industry-leading software to produce detailed simulations that demonstrate smoke movement, tenability conditions, and the effectiveness of ventilation strategies. These models are used to support planning applications, building control submissions, and the design of smoke control systems for complex or atypical buildings.
Our senior fire engineers are available to provide expert witness services and litigation support for fire-related disputes, insurance claims, and planning appeals. We prepare clear, impartial technical reports that stand up to scrutiny in legal proceedings.
Our experts have experience providing written reports and oral evidence in court, tribunals, and public inquiries. We work with solicitors, insurers, and developers to provide robust technical analysis that supports informed decision-making and dispute resolution.
With our expertise in fire safety technologies and best practices, we can help you identify the right fire safety products and strategies for your business. By applying them in the right way, you can dramatically improve your fire safety effectiveness and protect your property, assets, and most importantly, your people.
Black Mountain Fire exists to help companies & Families stay safer
