Welcome to the third season of Uncovered Witness: Fire Science Revelations.

In the third season, the focus shifts from a purely technical analysis of building design and fire safety measures to an understanding of the intricate legal and regulatory landscapes that govern compliance. Across four in-depth episodes, experts in law, engineering, insurance, and forensic fire research collectively shed light on how buildings achieve (or fail to achieve) legal compliance and genuine safety. These conversations highlight the ongoing tension between prescriptive codes and performance-based solutions, the evolving complexity of building materials and construction methods, and the multifaceted processes behind identifying and remediating building defects.

In the premiere episode of Season 3 'Legal Framework of the Building,' we explore the intersection of building regulations, legal frameworks, and fire safety. The host introduces the season's focus on understanding what makes buildings legal and how defects impact fire safety. This episode explores what makes buildings legal and investigates how defects in fire safety systems can influence overall compliance and safety. Experts discuss the relationship between prescriptive and performance-based design approaches and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation. The episode underscores that merely adhering to codes and standards does not guarantee safety, emphasising the holistic and adaptive measures needed to ensure true building integrity.

Guests featured in this podcast episode:

• Per Olsson, Halliwell Fire Research
• Mario Lara Ledermann, Halliwell Fire Research

This show is produced by the Fire Science Media for Halliwell Fire Research. Executive producer - Monika Węgrzyńska, scripting and production - Monika and Wojciech Węgrzyńscy, sound engineer - Mikołaj Jarząbek. All rights reserved. 2024.