At AF Protection Ltd., one of our key goals is to ensure that we provide a complete, high quality service to every project we undertake. We aim to provide all the information the client requires prior, during and after the project, maintain good dialogue throughout, and guarantee excellent standards of installation. It is this level of professionalism that we believe makes us the first choice for passive fire protection solutions in the South-West. Following the completion of projects, we ask that clients provide us with a small amount of feedback regarding their experience using AF Protection for their project so we can continue to improve and develop the service we provide. I am delighted to report that we have recently received some outstanding reviews. G. Hirons (O’Briens) reported that AF Protection provided an “11/10” service that met and exceeded all expectations. He said that, “we have worked with members of your company before and they gave a great service. Very precise and professional…” G. Martin (Interserve Construction) re-counted that AF Protection completed works to the planned installation date and carried out the work in a “safe, sequenced and clean manner.” Since this work was completed, AF Protection have been awarded two further projects by Interserve at HMNB Devonport Fleet Accommodation and over a dozen schools across Cornwall. G. Soar (Midas Group) stated the following: “This was my first experience with AF Protection and they have performed exceptionally well on what was at best a difficult project. Although there were several changes of AFP personnel, each and every one of them were easy to deal with and competent, offering work that was both efficient and thorough at all times. The level of supervision was good and their knowledge of the products and methods made any problems easy to overcome. I would not hesitate in recommending them to any one on any type of project and I would look forward to the opportunity of working with them again in the future.”

We are delighted to continue to receive positive feedback from our clients as we progress on the numerous projects we are currently undertaking. We pride ourselves on providing the best possible service to all of our clients from the early tender stages right through to certification and handover. We ensure that work is progressed on site according to the scheduled programme and that it is completed to an exceptional standard to the satisfaction of the client. We have recently been contacted by Gareth Lewis, the Senior Site Manager from McCarthy & Stone in Abergavenny, Wales. He wrote to express his gratitude towards the AF Protection management team and the operatives on site for completing the passive fire protection works in an “professional and efficient way” and how he looked forward to working with AF Protection in the near future.

With the launch of AF Protection's brand new website right around the corner, the company have branched out into the world of social media, specfically Twitter. You can see relevant company updates and information on AF Protection's Twitter feed - @af_protection.

AF Protection Limited has been awarded the contract to install passive fire protection systems to the structural steel frame of the new Atlantic House Hotel in New Polzeath Cornwall. The £4 million project will house a mixture of luxurious apartments, hotel rooms and a bar & bistro, all being built on the former foundations of the famous "Doom Bar", and all looking out onto the magnificent North Cornwall coast. To complete the project, AF Protection will be using both intumescent spraying to structural steel beams, and a fireboard cladding system installed to the vertical columns throughout the four floors of the building. Sources: http://www.theatlantichouse.co.uk/news/ http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/work-start-new...

Firestopping at new Student Accommodation

Cormac Ltd. has instructed AF Protection to undertake a number of upgrades and installations at the Banham House building of Bodmin Hospital. The works include the installation of a new fire-rated partition wall with a similarly rated fire door as well as other upgrades and installs to fire doors within the building. Works have already commenced and should be completed by the end of March.

Case Study 1 - Bodmin Council Offices

AF Protection Limited have recently acquired confirmation to fire stop all the fire-rated partition walls of the Bodmin Outpatients Clinic at Bodmin Hospital, which is currently under refurbishment. Although the project itself is only minor works by comparison to other projects, it reflects our continued desire to work with clients and contractors on projects in the South-West and promote continued growth and development in the passive fire protection industry.

Burrington Estates have contracted URBN Construction to complete a 155-student bedroom development adjacent to the Exeter University campus. Rougemont Town Houses fronts the St Davids Train Station in the heart of Exeter. URBN Construction have contracted AF Protection to complete fire stopping and penetration sealing to fire walls and through floors across the entire site. Operatives have already begun to complete works on site and will progress according to the site programme over the next few months.

Earlier this year AF Protection were requested to undertake a fire risk assessment and survey of the Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol. Following the findings of the report, Consort Services have contracted AF Protection to undertake corrective and remedial passive fire protection works in various areas of the site. The first stage of the project will involve operatives undertaking remedial works to the buildings existing structural steel protection by replacing and repairing damaged mineral fibre board. Works are set to commence in the coming weeks and should be completed within seven days.

Firestopping at Bodmin campus

The new Callywith College in Bodmin being constructed by Kier is now coming to the end of its first initial stage. This phase was to complete the two primary teaching buildings in preparation to receive students for the 2017/2018 academic year. The next phases include the construction the College’s sports facilities and office space. AF Protection have been requested to complete the fire stopping and penetration sealing throughout the new complex as with the previous two buildings. We are delighted to continue being involved with this project as it progresses to completion.

AF Protection have closed doors for the Christmas and New Year period, and will be re-opening 3rd January 2017. Office staff can still be contacted during the holidays if the matter is urgent and needs immediate resolving, but works on site will cease and will unlikely resume until re-opening. We wish everyone a Festive Holiday season and a Happy New Year. See you all in 2017!

ConstructionLine aim to promote an efficient supply chain and procurement cycle for the construction industry across the UK by removing the need for repetitive pre-qualification assessments by use of a single, government-approved, standardised process. To verify competency, and as part of the rigorous screening, the regulator requests verified references from past clientele. AF Protection have sought and received a number of these from clients and main contractors all detailing projects, values and some with comments on their experiences with using AF Protection. • A representative from VINCI Construction UK Ltd referenced his confidence in using AF Protection, and stated that AF Protection performed well on the £320,000 contract at the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre last year - http://www.afprotection.co.uk/about-us/case-studies/cornwall-energy-recovery-centre/ • Interserve Construction acknowledged a host of contracts, both ongoing - http://www.afprotection.co.uk/latest-projects/devonport-dockyard/ - and completed - http://www.afprotection.co.uk/about-us/case-studies/interserve-projec/ - in the past year (accruing to over £300,000), and specifically wrote, “AF Protection are considered as a ‘go to’ supply chain member due to their extensive knowledge, proactive approach and ability to manage works in a safe and timely manner”. • The Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (NHS) were similarly positive in their review of AF Protection on the current ongoing works at the Trelawny Wing of the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro - http://www.afprotection.co.uk/latest-projects/royal-cornwall-hospital/ . With the multi-million pound project passing the first year stage, AF Protection were delighted to receive praise on completed work, specifically commenting on how work was “completed to a high standard, on programme and on budget”. It is positive reviews such as these that helps promote the exceptional work that AF Protection provide. We hope these evaluations and references will instil confidence in current and future clients to use AF Protection for their passive fire protection requirements.

AF Protection are working with Kier Construction on a number of school construction projects across Cornwall this year. Several academies are having extensions constructed on their premises which will provide more classrooms and teaching space to accommodate the growing demand for child placements in their respective local communities. The two schools currently underway are St. Agnes ACE Academy and Tregolls Academy in Truro. The projects require intumescent paint application to structural steel elements of the extensions with work set to begin imminently.

Case Study 6 - CERC, Cornwall

We are delighted to announce that the Cornwall Fire Stations project undertaken for Interserve FM has been successfully completed and certified. As expected the latter stages of the work were the most difficult, but teams worked hard to complete the installations on time and to an exceptional standard. This project was the fourth project undertaken for Interserve FM in approximately a year, and we hope this demonstrates a continued commitment to provide outstanding services on every project undertaken.

The Cornwall Fire Station remedial fire protection works currently been undertaken for Interserve FM is progressing very well. Majority of the fire stations have been completed on schedule with only a couple now remaining. However, these last stations also present the most difficult and laborious work in the project programme. It is highly likely that work will have be undertaken during a night shift routine to avoid interfering with the essential daytime services underway. We will work with both the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Interserve FM to ensure that the works are completed with minimal disruption, but still to budget and programme.

Ongoing maintenance and refurbishment.

Following the continued progress through Devonport Dockyard improvement works, the ongoing successful working relationship between Interserve and AF Protection has been further demonstrated having now been granted the contract to upgrade the remedial fire stopping systems to a host of schools in Cornwall that they maintain. Much like the accommodation blocks in Devonport Dockyard, a passive fire protection survey has been conducted on over a dozen schools in the Cornwall area. The survey assessed the standard of installed passive fire protection systems in each school in relation to their current fire strategy plan and highlighted issues in need of improvement. Interserve granted AF Protection the contract to follow these surveys and ensure that these problems be rectified to meet the fire strategy requirements in preparation for the following school year. The works mainly require fire stopping and penetration sealing system upgrades to various fire walls within the schools, however there are also fire door upgrades throughout as well as some needing cavity barrier installs.

We are delighted to announce that the Cornwall Schools project undertaken for Interserve FM has been successfully completed ahead of schedule, much to the delight of the client. Operatives under management of AF Protection Ltd worked tirelessly throughout the half-term period to complete extensive remedial passive fire stopping works required in sixteen schools across Cornwall. Communication, programming and efficiency were the primary components on every site as it was essential the leave the schools in an appropriate condition to receive pupils the following week. Works ranged from some schools only requiring minimal mastic seals to new penetrations in fire walls to others requiring demanding installations including head of wall firestopping and roof void cavity barriers. When asked to comment on the work undertaken by AF Protection, Gary Martin from Interserve Construction Limited said the following: “AF Protection were chosen for this project as a result of the excellent works being carried out on Passive Protection Measures within HMNB Devonport. Their commitment to management of resources and work required within a certain time period have earned them the respect deserved in a supply chain member who do as they commit to. We will continue to use AF Protection in the future, with works to Cornwall Fire Stations already being undertaken.” We are very grateful to receive comments such as this with regards to our performance on projects. AF Protection always strive to deliver a comprehensive service that goes above and beyond the expectations of the client, and aim to instil confidence in current and future clients.

Kier Construction are currently involved in a number of Cornwall-based projects which involve the construction of new extensions to existing primary schools to provide modern and updated learning environments for pupils. AF Protection have completed work at St. Agnes and Tregolls, Truro and are now working on the Cubert School project in Newquay. Operatives are currently on site providing air sealing works to the new structure in preparation for an air test.

Caste Study 7 - Devonport Dockyard

Remedial passive fire protection works at the Devonport Dockyard Fleet Accommodation project are progressing very well. Phase 3 of the project (which includes the Ladysmith & Endeavour Buildings) have been successfully completed. Operatives have now moved to the Phase 4 locations (Boscawen & Cunningham Fraser Buildings). Initial reports indicate that both of these buildings will require extensive amounts of work to ensure fire compartmentation is maintained.

Phase 1 of the HMNB Devonport Dockyard Fleet Accommodation refurbishment has now been completed. The Armada block was the first building designated to have its passive fire protection systems upgraded to meet the latest fire safety requirements. Operatives working on behalf of AF Protection worked methodically and progressed through the building floor by floor, and we are pleased the say that the work has been successfully finished to an excellent standard. There is no rest on site however, as work on the next building has already got underway. One down. Eight to go.

Forestcrest Developments Ltd. are currently constructing an all-new super depot for DPD delivery group in Roche, Cornwall. As the structural steels begin to take shape, AF Protection have been contracted to apply intumescent spray to a number of necessary structural steels. Works have been planned to commence in mid-April and should be completed within a few days.

The National Trust have contracted AF Protection to provide passive fire protection upgrades for one of their properties. Cotehele House in St. Dominick, Cornwall is soon to have mechanical and engineering upgrades in a number of areas across the site, and the National Trust Estates management team want to ensure that the existing fire strategy plan will be maintained as part of their fire risk assessment. This means that existing and new voids where M&E will penetrate through fire walls will need to be sufficiently sealed. Works are set to begin in the early months of 2017.

Firepool is a £105 million waterfront development on the River Tone in Taunton. The project is one of the largest regeneration projects in the South-West with offices, retail parks, hotels and homes all set to be built over the coming years. At the first phase, McCarthy & Stone have requested that AF Protection provide intumescent structural steel protection, and fire stopping and penetration sealing to the first of many riverside homes to be built. Operatives will be on site in February and will commence works in accordance with the on-site programme.

Fire Protection at Retirement Building

AF Protection have been called upon by Interserve group to assist in completing fire stopping and penetration sealing works at the Old Forde House Council Offices in Newton Abbot. The project currently involves the refurbishment and renovation of the existing offices which includes bringing the current passive fire protection works up to modern standard regulations. Works are currently on going with operatives being called upon as the project progresses.

Case Study 2 - Hayle Marine

Remedial Passive Fire Protection Project

We are proud to announce that AF Protection Limited are currently contracting through utilities contractor Blu-3 for UK Power Networks on the new Hinkley Point C power station, currently under construction for EDF Energy in North Somerset. The work initially involves supplying and installing passive fire protection systems to the structural steels and internal linings of the on-site transformer switch rooms involved with supplying power to the various manufacturing plants on site. The structural steels will receive a cladding board installation with a minimum of two hours’ fire resistance with an equally-resistant cavity barrier to be installed adjacent. The contracted works are already underway with the aim to be completed before the end of the year.

Structural Steel Protection on Nuclear Power Station

BAM Construction has begun the construction of its three phase plan to build a new £18 million academy at Ilfracombe in North Devon. The construction plan will see the erection of a new sports hall and a 1,250-student school, followed by the demolition of the current school building. AF Protection Limited has been awarded the contract to protect the structural steels of these new facilities as they are constructed. The first phase has got underway with structural steels of the sports hall having already been erected. AF Protection operatives are now on-site applying an intumescent coating system by method of spraying. Sources: http://www.constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/news/re... http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2015/12/02/bam... http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/8203-18-million...

Case Study 5 - Interserve Projects

Kier Construction have requested that AF Protection undertake passive fire protection applications at two of their new school projects in Devon. Dartingon School and Chagford C of E School are new developments that require fire stopping and penetration sealing and structural steel protection. Works will be sent to commence in the coming weeks and should be completed before the end of the year.

Fire Protection to new Cornwall Archive

We are delighted to have received some positive feedback from BAM Construction Limited – Western following the successful completion and handover of Ladysmith School in Exeter. Construction Director Graham Kingdon wrote to express his gratitude towards the management team behind AF Protection and the on-site operatives who worked to help successfully complete the project on time. He mentioned how the client and their advisors were “delighted with the end result”. We gratefully appreciate the positive feedback from our clients and we aim to continue to provide a similar outstanding service to all of our other Bam Construction sites (current and future), as well as all of our other clients.

McCarthy & Stone are currently constructing a retirement living accommodation development in the south of Bath and have specifically requested that AF Protection carry out intumescent paint to structural steel members of the building. This is the sixth project that AF Protection have provided various passive fire protection solutions for McCarthy & Stone which demonstrates a trustworthy working relationship between contractors. Work has commenced immediately and should be completed in early March.

AF Protection Limited are working with RG Spiller on the restoration of "the Old Library" in Bridport in Dorset. The project involves a complete revitilisation of the building to provide training facilities, offices and meeting rooms for small start-up business in the town whilst preserving the heritage of the building. The £2.6 million project has been mostly funded by charity and heritage funds and is expected to take around 18 months to complete due to the building being grade-II listed. AF Protection are currently applying intumescent spray to new structural steels that will support a mezzanine floor within the building. Given the nature of the building's history and it's prominence in the local community, precise care has been taken to ensure that no damage or tainting of the building occurs during the application process. AF Protection are also consulting with RG Spiller to ensure that passive fire protection is completed in the correct areas of the building to the correct specification required during the renovation process.

Case Study 3 - Living Systems Institute

AF Protection have recently taken a new member to their management team. "As the company continues to grow and expand in the South-West, the need for new personnel in the management office was a known inevitable requirement," says company director Andrew Webb, who was heavily involved in the selection process. Our latest member already has five years of experience in the passive fire protection industry having been involved with onsite installation and supervision across the country. However, he was keen to take on this new role in a bid to learn the business behind the on-site work. In his busy schedule, we caught up with the new recruit. "This is an exciting opportunity for me to take on a new aspect of the passive fire protection industry. I look forward to learning from my peers and helping the company continue to achieve high standards and growing success."

AF Protection have successfully acquired passive fire protection contracts on five McCarthy and Stone projects across the South West in recent months. The projects include a range of passive fire protection applications including fire stopping and penetration sealing as well as structural steel protection. The projects are below: • Charlton Hayes Development, Bristol • Lys Lander Refurbishment, Truro • Davey Court, Exmouth • Pinhoe Road, Exeter • Bramble Hill, Bude Whilst some projects have already commenced others are set to commence in the new year, and this continual acquisition of contracts represents a strong working relationship between the two companies.

Preferred Passive Fire Protection Contractor

The Mid-Devon Business Park is a 10-acre plot development built as a landscaped business environment just off the M5 motorway. The estate continues to expand and develop due to a continuing interest from a number of businesses from across the South-West seeking to establish their roots firmly in the area. MA Witcombe are currently working on such an expansion and have contracted AF Protection to complete structural steel protection to their newly erected units. Operatives will be on site shortly to commence the works and are expected to be completed by the end of January.

Plymouth City Council are following a line of successful projects whereby ex-service personnel construct unique self-build homes in the hopes of learning new skills and training for future employment. The 24-home site in Millbay, Plymouth is currently being managed by Devon and Cornwall Housing and Interserve, and AF Protection have been contracted to complete specialist passive fire protection works required on site. The work includes fire stopping and penetration sealing to the various communal corridors and fire escape routes, as well as a small amount of intumescent paint to structural steel elements. Works are set to commence at the beginning of 2017 and be completed as the project progresses over the coming months.

AF Protection's continued working relationship with McCarthy and Stone has resulted in two new projects being undertaken in 2018. New living accommodations being built in Nailsea and Lllanishen, Cardiff will require intumescent paint to structural steels and firestopping and penetration sealing to all designated fire walls as the projects progress.

AF Protection Limited now has a brand new website. After weeks and weeks of tinkering, tailoring and foiling, the website has finally been brought forth onto the World Wide Web! The website aims to promote the wide range of passive fire protection systems that AF Protection Limited offer. It also demonstrates the projects that we have previously undertaken, and the projects that we currently have active. By using the website, potential clients can now visually see examples of passive fire protection, and gain a better understanding of how our systems work and how they are installed. The website will allow clients to more easily contact our experienced staff to discuss potential work.

Intumescent spray to structural steels.

We have commenced works on our latest project – the Old Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth City Centre. The work has preliminarily begun with intumescent spray to structural steels throughout the new build apartment building. In 2015, Exeter-based developer Eagle One were granted permission to acquire the former Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth with the aims to develop the grade II listed building into 15 luxurious retirement apartments, with a modern extension alongside the property to provide 55 student flats. Morgan Sindall have been contracted to facilitate the re-development.

As new build projects, from dwellings to commercials, across the world become ever bigger and more complex to meet a host of modern global demands, there will always be occasions during the construction period where small aspects are overlooked. It does not always happen, but it is very likely. Thousands of drawings, delays, numerous trades all overlapping each other at once – there will always be times where important details go unnoticed. AF Protection Ltd. have over thirty combined years of experience working in the construction industry, and have developed a keen eye for these variations that may seem minor at the time but, as the project develops, could develop into frustrating issues. That’s why we offer on-site consultation to every project we undertake to ensure that all aspects of passive fire protection, both seen and unseen, are handled appropriately. A typical recent example involved a “place of special fire hazard” on a large-scale site that had so far been protected sufficiently according to the client’s scope of works. However, our onsite operatives noted that a cavity existed between this area and other occupied areas of the building that so far had no plans to be sealed. AF Protection inspected the issue and agreed that the main contractor should be notified to review the potential problem. Eventually, it was agreed that the void did compromise the fire compartmentation of the area, and AF Protection were instructed to devise a solution. A typical consultation would involve a prior appointment with a member of the main contractor to visit the location of the issue, review our interpretation of the problem and discuss potential solutions. This ‘hands-on’ approach means that all parties can be more aware of the situation and how a solution would be implemented, rather than relying on descriptions over email or telephone. It also gives the main contractor a chance to speak directly to our consultant to discuss their concerns. This could include budget, time frame or practicality. AF Protection always aim to provide realistic solutions that meet the needs of the main contractor. Does this sound familiar on a project you are working on? If you would like a consultation with AF Protection, please get in touch via our online Contact Form, or contact the head office directly on 01726 817888.

AF Protection have been requested to carry out remedial intumescent paint works are Pendennis Shipyard, Falmouth by MIDAS Group. Operatives are currently undertaking a three-stage process to protect structural steels from potential fire risks but also from the constant marine environment. Operatives are currently on site and working with MIDAS to complete the works while attempting to minimise disruption to the day-to-day operations of the shipyard.

Passive Fire Protection at new Hotel

Bowmer and Kirkland Construction are currently constructing an all new multi-storey office building in the Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth. AF Protection has been contracted by B and K to complete a number of passive fire protection applications including cavity barriers and fire stopping and penetration sealing. Works have already begun on site and will be set to continue as they become available as the project progresses.

Case Study 4 - Pydar House, Truro

Fire stopping at student accommodation

McCarthy & Stone are currently constructing a retirement living project in Abergavenny, Wales set to be completed later this year. McCarthy & Stone have sought specialist services from AF Protection with regards to their passive fire protection requirements, including fire stopping and penetration sealing. We expect our operatives to be on site in February and complete the work according to McCarthy & Stone’s on site programme.

Principal Contractor for remedial fire protection upgrades.

AF Protection Limited was recently awarded Principal Contractor by Ward Williams Associates responsible for the remedial fire protection upgrades to the Trelawney Wing roof space at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. The work includes various systems of passive fire protection including fire stopping and penetration sealing, structural steel encasement and cavity barriers. The entire Trelawney Wing requires upgrading and refurbishing whilst working over a live environment. Health and safety is a critical concern during this project, and every possible issue has been thoroughly prepared and accounted for whilst work is ongoing. A permanent on site supervisor will be coordinating with the hospital's Estate department, as well as the operatives on site, to ensure works are carried out productively and safely, particularly considering the vulnerable patients below. The renovation work is expected to run for at least 52 weeks and is one of the largest projects that AF Protection Limited has ever undertaken.

We are delighted to report that the intumescent spray at the new apartments project at the old Royal Eye Infimary in Plymouth has been completed. A small amount of weather issues (no surprise given the time of year) caused minuscule delays to application, however our operative on site still managed to complete all the required work to the satisfaction of the client.

AF Protection Limited have been approved by the Safety Management Advisory Services (SMAS – as recognised by SSIP). SMAS and SSIP are one of the most recognised Health and Safety assessment companies in the UK and it was essential that we obtained accreditation to demonstrate our commitment to health and safety.

The intumescent spray to the structural steels at the new South Molton Junior School has now been completed. The work was carried out expertly by our operatives on site and the result is an excellent finish throughout. We are working towards applying the same high standard finish to the other projects currently underway for BAM, as well the other numerous intumescent spray projects we currently have underway.

City College Plymouth has contracted Kier to build a purpose-built learning facility dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths on the college’s Kings Road Campus. The £13 million project has been underway for just under a year and has progressed at an impressive pace. AF Protection have been requested to undertake fire stopping and penetration sealing throughout the entire complex, as well as completing intumescent paint to a number of structural steels. Operatives are on site and will follow the on-site programme when completing works.

Fire Protection at new College building

With the brand new £2.8 million Macmillan Support Centre, The Cove, at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro nearing completion, we wanted to look back at a very successful project that we were proud to work on. The Cove Macmillan Support Centre is designed as a dedicated facility in the heart of Cornwall for all people who are affected by cancer. Kier Group were tasked with it's construction and awarded AF Protection the contract to apply intumescent paint to the structural steels of the new support centre in late 2015. Installation commenced at the beginning of 2016 and progressed smoothly. The works were completed and certified to the client’s satisfaction in March/April 2016. AF Protection strive to be both proficient and competitive in the passive fire protection industry, and it is projects like these that make the hard work worthwhile – successful installations and client satisfaction are paramount. Sources: http://premierconstructionnews.com/2016/09/24/the-... https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/macmillan-proj... http://www.macmillanbuilds.co.uk/cove-news/inside-...

Health and Safety is an ever-changing factor in the workplace. It is a fluid concept where no site is ever the same, and no job or application repeats itself. There will always be subtle changes in the way that we work on site, and new challenges will arise that we have never experienced before. It is the presence of these changes which insist we remain vigilant when working on site to ensure the safe working practices of our operatives so that they can complete their jobs and go home safely every day. Health and Safety has been, and always will be, priority number one when working on projects. As a commitment to these values of health and safety, AF Protection maintain a regular practice of issuing "toolbox talks" to all of our working operatives. Toolbox talks are informal meetings between supervisors/management and on-site operatives at the workplace. During these discussions, supervisors can highlight important and relevant issues of the working environment to make sure that operatives are aware of how they should conduct themselves on site. There is also the opportunity for the operatives to voice any concerns, issues or ideas that they might have regarding their own health and safety directly to their supervisors. This informal reciprocation of information ensures that both parties are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety, and both can make changes or implement systems that further decrease any risks on site. Our supervisors have found these toolbox talks to be a significant tool for Health and Safety in the workplace: "A toolbox talk is more of a friendly chat than a lecture. You can talk with the workers on site rather than talking at them, and as a result they seem to respect the points that you are trying to get across. And by giving them a chance to voice their opinions, they are more actively involved and aware of health and safety on site." - B.D. (site supervisor).

Fire Stopping at Shopping Refurbishment

Firestopping on new student campus

We are delighted to announce that Santa has come early this year for AF Protection and he has left something rather large and loud in our Christmas stocking! Meet the newest member of the AF Protection team - the Nissan Navara! With the company going from strength to strength, and a steady string of successful projects having now been completed, it was time to re-invest in the company's image. Prior to the new arrival, the vehicle fleet stood at two vehicles - both workhorse vans that would see the brunt of day-to-day site action. However, it is felt that the new Navara will be used primarily to promote the company name during site visits. Although, should the occasion ever arise that it would need to get it's hands dirty, we are confident that it will not back out of the challenge.

AF Protection have invested in another vehicle to join their fleet. The Hyundai iLoad van will be an incredible asset to the company allowing transport of materials and tools to various sites better than ever before. Before it could get its hands too dirty though, both the iLoad and the Peugeot Partner (it’s little brother) were taken the Parc Signs in St. Austell to receive the updated company branded livery.

With the remedial fire protection work at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro progressing at a steady but successful pace the NHS Estates Department has requested that AF Protection undertake further remedial fire protection upgrades in other hospitals across Cornwall. The first of which has been a contract to upgrade a number of fire doors at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance. Works are set to commence over the coming weeks and to be completed as quickly as possible as to minimise any disturbances to the day-to-day running of the hospital.

O’Brien Group have requested that AF Protection survey and provide a suitable fire-rated cavity barrier solution to provide fire separation between three hotels on the Weymouth Seafront. Surveys and proposed plans have been completed and agreed upon and a start date will be arranged soon to complete the works as quickly as possible.