In recognition of International Women in Engineering Day (#INWED), 23^rd June is a day dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the achievements, contributions and impact of women in the field of engineering. This year, we did something a bit different! Our staff went on a leisurely summer walk through parts of Manchester City Centre, visiting some of the remarkable buildings and projects DFC have been involved with. Some of our talented female engineers have either led or been a crucial part of the project team on many of the developments we saw. They shared their experiences about how they overcame project challenges, delivered innovative fire safety engineering solutions, and how they felt being a part of those projects.

Furthermore, we are excited to announce that we will be organising more of these celebratory walks in the near future in Leeds, London and Sheffield. We aim to highlight and celebrate the expertise of our engineers from across all DFC’s offices. DFC strongly believes that by recognising and supporting the invaluable contributions of women in engineering, we pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive future for all.

Here is a sneak preview from our first celebratory walk edition: Shaping the City – Manchester. We present a small collection of outstanding projects that have seen the invaluable contributions of our female fire engineers based in Manchester. Full blog story coming soon!

A Walk Through Manchester’s Transformation

The chosen route reflects expertise, creativity and innovation in fire engineering that our team contribute to Manchester’s dynamic cityscape while ensuring the fire safety measures that protect lives and communities. From pioneering sustainable infrastructure projects to cutting-edge fire safety solutions, our fire engineers have left a lasting impact on the city in a variety of inspiring ways.

3 St. Peter’s Square – Hotel Motel One and Wilde Aparthotels, Manchester

This 20-storey hybrid tower featured 328-bedroom on the lower floors and 256 luxury studio and apartments above. Iris, played a vital role in ensuring the building’s compliance with fire safety regulations.

“3 St Peter’s Square is the first hotel building that I worked on. It was a fulfilling project for me. I carried out various assessments during design and in construction to help the project team. For example, the design aspiration consisted of quite extensive use of glazing to the Ground Floor as well as around the central lightwell. As opposed to providing fire resisting glazing on the building, a thermal radiation analysis was carried out to support the architectural vision for the various elevations. The experiences I gained from this project has continue to benefit my work in DFC.” (Iris, 2024).

Image above: 3 St. Peter’s Square – Hotel Motel One and Wilde Aparthotels, Manchester. ©RussellWBHO

Circle Square, Manchester

Circle Square comprises a diverse range of structures, high-rise Grade A commercial offices, retail units and residential towers. It presents an exciting opportunity for DFC to demonstrate expertise in various areas of fire safety. Many of our engineers have been involved in this development, however a special highlight on this #INWED occasion goes to Adeyanju, who has contributed to the success of this development.

“I am thrilled to be part of the transformative Circle Square project… As a fire engineer on this great project, the opportunity to contribute my structural fire engineering expertise to the office structures has been challenging and rewarding…I am proud to be involved in shaping a vibrant new destination in the heart of Manchester through our dedication to fire safety and innovative solutions.” (Adeyanju, 2024).

Image above: Circle Square, Manchester. ©VitaLiving

Upcoming DFC’s Shaping the City Celebratory Walks: London, Leeds and Sheffield

Watch this space! Here is a snippet of selected projects by some of our female fire engineers from various DFC offices.

Tower Works, Leeds

Tower Works residential project breathes new life into a former industrial site with a rich history. The three iconic Italianate towers are preserved and incorporated into the new development, showcasing Leeds industrial heritage alongside modern living. Weimiao and the team used their diverse fire engineering skills to combine sympathetic historic preservation with new-build elements. Tower Works is a short walk from our new DFC Leeds office.

“Tower Works was a great project to get involved with and utilise my various skillsets including CFD. The project was so local and I feel proud that I helped the regeneration of a historic site in beautiful Leeds. I am glad that I could be involved from early on right through to completion, see the project taking shape step by step, and feel an instrumental part of that.” (Weimiao, 2024)

Image above: Tower Works, Leeds. ©AskRealEstate

National Youth Theatre (NYT), London

The NYT project comprised brand new studio, co-working and recreation spaces, enabling the NYT to host productions for audiences including schools, the local community, and the general public. It is a modern and inclusive creative hub for young people interested in theatre and drama..

Francesca has commented: “I’m incredibly proud to have been involved in the NYT project. Witnessing the building’s transformation into a vibrant hub for young creatives and theatre goers. It has been truly inspiring. It fills me with pride to know I played a part in creating a more accessible and empowering space for future generations of young performers.” (Francesca, 2024).

Image above: National Youth Theatre, London

Impact and Recognition

This celebratory walk not only served as a reminder of the outstanding skill and dedication of DFC’s fire engineers, but also as a recognition of the impact and contribution made by female fire engineers. Specifically, highlighted the remarkable influence of women in engineering, underscoring their crucial role in enhancing the safety and well-being of all.

Gemma Grant, sums up International Women’s Day beautifully:

“Yesterday, on International Women in Engineering Day, I am proud to reflect on my journey and experiences as a female Associate at Design Fire Consultants (DFC). Leading projects at DFC has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It has given me the opportunity to bring my unique perspective and expertise to the forefront… One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is collaborating with a diverse and talented team. The support and encouragement from my colleagues have been instrumental in my growth and success… As we celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, I am inspired by the incredible progress we have made and the future possibilities. I am committed to continue mentoring and supporting other women in our industry, fostering a culture of equality and empowerment.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the remarkable women out there. Together, we are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future!”