Business Details
16 Years
experience
Expert Fire Engineering Solutions in Glasgow
Astute Fire is an independent, director-owned consultancy specialising in fire engineering solutions. Established by professionals with extensive industry experience, we focus on addressing complex fire safety challenges through innovative design and strategic problem-solving. Our approach balances risk, design, and cost to meet regulatory requirements while enabling architectural creativity. With a flat management structure, we foster collaboration and value contributions from all team members. Our commitment to staff development includes a standard 40 days' annual leave and flexible working arrangements. We serve diverse sectors globally, with expertise in historic buildings, healthcare facilities, and high-rise developments.Our team has contributed to landmark projects across four continents, including expert witness roles and regulatory advisory work. We actively promote work-life balance and invest in continuous professional growth. Our services span fire strategy development, external wall assessments, and compliance reviews, tailored to client-specific needs. Astute Fire remains dedicated to advancing fire safety standards through research, technical innovation, and practical application of evolving industry best practices.
Services
Fire Strategy Development
External Wall Reviews
Fire Safety Compliance
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling
Timber Frame Assessments
Evacuation Modelling
Risk Cost Benefit Analysis
Third Party Reviews
Construction Site Fire Strategies
Single Building Assessments
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years' experience in fire engineering consultancy
- Our team provides tailored solutions for historic buildings and healthcare facilities
- We implement performance-based fire safety strategies for complex projects
- Our directors have contributed to UK fire safety regulation development
- We maintain technical expertise in PAS 9980 and EWS1 assessments
Services
Fire Strategy Development
We develop comprehensive fire strategies for new and existing buildings, balancing regulatory compliance with architectural vision. Our approach considers risk assessment, occupant safety, and cost-effectiveness. Strategies incorporate modern performance-based design principles while addressing specific project requirements.
External Wall Reviews
Our experts conduct detailed external wall inspections using PAS 9980 methodology and EWS1 protocols. We identify fire risks in building faades and provide remediation recommendations. Services include desktop studies, site surveys, and compliance reporting for residential and commercial properties.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling
We employ advanced CFD modelling to simulate fire behaviour in complex structures. This enables precise analysis of smoke movement, temperature distribution, and evacuation scenarios. Our models inform optimal fire safety design for challenging architectural projects.
Timber Frame Assessments
Our specialists evaluate fire performance of timber-framed constructions, including insulation materials and structural components. We provide risk assessments and mitigation strategies based on rigorous testing and analysis of fire behaviour in lightweight timber systems.
Evacuation Modelling
We create detailed evacuation models to optimise escape routes and safety measures. Using advanced simulation tools, we analyse occupant movement patterns and emergency response scenarios to enhance building safety strategies for diverse occupancy types.
People
Adam Bittern
Director/Owner
PhD holder with 20 years' experience in fire engineering, specialising in tall building safety. Former fire service investigator who contributed to New Zealand firefighting procedures. Author of technical papers on fire safety strategies for high-rise developments.
Kenny Hamill
Director/Owner
16-year fire engineering consultant with expertise in historic buildings and healthcare facilities. Former Building Standards Surveyor with Scottish local authorities. Focuses on balancing conservation needs with modern fire safety requirements for heritage structures.
Callum MacInnes
Director/Owner
15-year fire engineering consultant specialising in office developments and historic building adaptations. Developed strategies for major UK projects like Silver Fin in Aberdeen and Skylines in London. Co-author of passive fire protection research in healthcare settings.
James McGonigal
Head of Technical
Chartered building engineer with extensive regulatory experience. Former Scottish Government fire safety advisor who shaped national building standards. Provides technical leadership on fire regulations and legislative compliance across Scotland.
Fraser McCourt
Technical Director
20-year fire engineering professional with cross-sector experience in education, healthcare, and transport infrastructure. Former Strathclyde Fire and Rescue regulatory authority member. Specialises in international code compliance and performance-based design solutions.
Questions
What fire safety services do you specialise in?
We specialise in fire strategy development, external wall reviews (including PAS 9980/EWS1 assessments), computational fluid dynamics modelling, timber frame risk assessments, and evacuation planning for diverse building types.
Do you work on historic building projects?
Yes, we have extensive experience with historic buildings, having developed fire strategies for listed structures like Edinburgh's Charlotte Square and Glasgow's David Stow Building while preserving architectural integrity.
Can you assist with regulatory compliance?
Our team includes former government advisors who provide expert guidance on UK fire safety legislation, building regulations, and compliance strategies tailored to specific project requirements.
Do you offer international fire engineering services?
We operate globally, having completed projects across four continents with expertise in adapting international fire codes to local conditions while maintaining safety standards.
How do you approach complex fire safety challenges?
We use performance-based design solutions that balance risk, cost, and architectural vision. Our approach combines technical analysis with creative problem-solving to address unique project requirements.
