Latest News

A New Chapter for Elstree Studios’ Historic Stages

By: Iain Macfarlane, Director From blockbuster films to award‑winning television, Elstree Studios has long been part of the UK’s screen industry. As the site enters its second century, Design Fire Consultants (DFC) was appointed to support the reopening of Stages 7, 8 and 9, bringing these historic spaces back into use while ensuring they meet […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 2nd July 2026

Insights from My First Car Park Design; Ancoats Mobility Hub, Manchester

By: Iris Chang, Associate Ancoats Mobility Hub (the Hub) is an innovative project that supports the future development of Poland Street in the Ancoats area of Manchester. It is a striking building that includes a multi-storey car park with commercial units, a cycle store and associated changing facilities. Its façade has an expansive green wall […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 30th July 2025

Recent Project Achievements and Recognition

DFC is pleased to share some recent highlights and insights into our latest endeavours. It has been a whirlwind of positive news! DFC provided fire engineering services on several projects which have been shortlisted for prestigious industry awards. In addition, two projects received the honour of being featured in the Architects’ Journal and the Building […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 23rd July 2024

Project Case Study: Viadux, Manchester

By: Adeyanju Oluwa, Engineer After a few months of joining DFC in 2019, I began working on one of my biggest projects to date – Viadux Phase 1, which was in the concept design phase. Four years later, I was on-site inspecting the quality of fire-stopping installations, I witnessed the cause-and-effect testing of the fire […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 10th July 2024

Recent Projects Success

We’re delighted to share exciting news about several innovative projects that our talented engineers have been involved in recently. These projects not only demonstrate our team’s technical expertise but also embody DFC’s culture and values, as further explained by one of DFC’s Directors, Iain Macfarlane in his recent blog post, “Sharing thoughts behind culture and […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 9th April 2024

Project Case Study: Glassworks, Manchester

By: James O’Hanlon, Associate I joined DFC in January 2021, and on my first day I was assigned to work on the Glassworks project which had just started concept design. Three years later I was on site in a finished building and witnessing the final commissioning of the fire life safety systems before practical completions. […]

Posted by Design Fire Consultants
On 11th April 2023

No. 1 Old Trafford – Case Study In The Architect’s Journal

It is great to see that a piece on the No. 1 Old Trafford submitted by our friends at Jon Matthews Architects has been published in the Architect’s Journal. DFC was the fire engineer for the scheme from concept design through to its completion and handover. The project was completed at the end of May […]

Posted by Iris Chang
On 11th January 2022

VITA Pebble Mill – Completion and Handover

DFC began our involvement on Vita Pebble Mill in 2016 and provided fire strategy advice from concept design to client handover and occupation. This RIBA Stage 2-7 service is one that we are pleased to offer our clients. Remaining involved through the construction and handover stage of a project allows us as fire engineers to […]

Posted by Iain Macfarlane
On 7th January 2020

Scroll