Salus can now offer £2 million of professional indemnity insurance cover as standard across all its fire safety consultancy appointments—without an additional extended fee.
The change gives developers, architects, Principal Designers, contractors and project teams greater reassurance when appointing Salus, particularly on larger, more complex and higher-risk projects.
Removing a potential barrier at appointment stage
Professional indemnity insurance is an important consideration when appointing any specialist consultant.
Project teams need confidence not only in the competence and experience of the people advising them, but also that an appropriate level of insurance sits behind the professional services being provided.
Salus has historically been able to offer £2 million of professional indemnity cover for its fire safety consultancy work. However, providing this level of cover previously involved an additional cost.
By making £2 million cover available as standard, Salus can now offer clients greater assurance from the outset, without introducing an additional fees into the project costs. For clients and consultant teams, this will help create greater clarity during procurement and reduce the need for separate discussions about increasing the level of cover attached to an appointment.
Higher levels of Professional Indemnity Insurance, up to £5 million, may also be available for suitable projects. A modest fee uplift may apply to reflect the additional cost and long-term commitment associated with providing this enhanced level of cover.
Supporting complex fire safety appointments
While the insurance cover provides added reassurance, it sits behind something even more important: the knowledge, experience and professional judgement of the Salus Fire Safety Consultancy team.
Salus provides specialist fire safety advice throughout the design, construction and occupation of buildings. The team works collaboratively with clients, architects, Principal Designers, contractors and other consultants to develop solutions that are compliant, practical and appropriate for the way a building will be used.
Services include:
- Fire strategies from RIBA Stage 1 through to Stage 6
- Fire safety design advice
- Retrospective fire strategies
- Fire safety management plans
- Fire safety risk assessments
- Fire safety audits
- Specialist fire safety training
- Support during construction including inspection of the works to ensure compliance with the strategy
The team supports projects across different sectors, building types and construction methods, including complex and specialist-use environments and buildings of any height.
Fire safety advice that works with the wider design
Fire safety cannot be considered in isolation. Decisions concerning means of escape, compartmentation, internal and external fire spread, access for the fire and rescue service and the ongoing management of a building can affect many other parts of the design.
When specialist fire safety input is brought into a project early, potential conflicts can be identified before they become expensive problems during construction.
This is why the Salus team works closely with the wider design and project team. The objective is not simply to produce a fire strategy document, but to help develop a coordinated approach that can be understood, delivered and maintained.
Mike O’Brian, Associate Director – Fire, commented,
‘This gives our clients the reassurance they need to engage us on the larger more complex projects and collaborate with our very skilled teams of fire safety consultants to advise, mitigate and manage risks throughout the design process and construction phase. Salus are pleased to offer this increased insurance and it will only enhance the opportunities we have to work on and allow us to demonstrate our skills across a wider demographic.’
That includes helping project teams avoid solutions that are unnecessarily complicated or over-engineered, while ensuring that compliance, safety and the needs of building users remain central to the design.
Greater confidence from the outset
Making £2 million of professional indemnity cover available as standard is a straightforward change, but an important one. It strengthens the overall fire safety consultancy offer from Salus and gives clients another practical reason to involve the team in their projects.
The cover does not replace the need for competent advice, coordinated design and careful professional judgement. Instead, it complements the experience and technical capability already provided by the Salus Fire Safety Consultancy team.
For architects and Principal Designers, it provides additional confidence when assembling the consultant team. For developers, building owners and Tier 1 contractors, it can help make procurement and appointment more straightforward. For project managers, it provides greater clarity around the level of cover available from the beginning.
The headline may be £2 million of professional indemnity cover, but the wider message is simple: Salus is ready to support demanding fire safety appointments with the expertise, collaboration and professional backing they require.
Speak to the Salus Fire Safety Consultancy team
If you are planning a new development, reviewing an existing building or need specialist fire safety advice, speak to the Salus team about your project.
Call 0333 800 5678 or email firesafety@salusai.co.uk.