City of Edinburgh Council uses Prosper framework to award £61m fire safety contract

By fast-tracking this investment, Edinburgh aims to raise the standard of compartmentation and means of escape across its high-rise stock, improving life safety while extending the service life of core building fabric.

A comprehensive set of Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) were completed in 2022 for all of the council’s multi-storey blocks. A range of recommendations were suggested to assist with the compliance of fire safety and related standards and guidance. Some of the recommendations will be undertaken as part of this contract. 

Harmony Fire is a specialist fire safety contractor and is an approved delivery partner on Prosper’s Framework Agreement for Passive Fire Safety in Scotland. Following a robust assessment, they scored highest on quality and lowest on cost and were selected as the most appropriate procurement strategy with a direct award.

Rod Brasington, CEO of Prosper, said: “The council contacted us to talk about our passive fire safety framework and how we could assist them in providing them with a compliant, cost efficient and effective delivery solution to meet their objectives.

“Harmony Fire is already one of our approved delivery partners on the framework in Scotland and the council proposed a direct award with them as the most appropriate and timely route to market. 

“We are delighted to be able to assist the council to find a suitable solution to deliver their requirements and we look forward to working with them over the next four years.”

Amos Thomas, pre-construction director at Harmony Fire, said: “By embarking on one of the largest internal fire safety investment programmes of its type across the UK, the City of Edinburgh Council is making clear its commitment to providing safe and secure homes for residents.

“The council’s ambition to fast-track this critical improvement scheme is evidenced through the use of the Prosper framework, which maximises procurement efficiencies, facilitating vital early contractor engagement and setting the conditions for best value and project success from the outset.”