Prisons present the fundamental conflict: fire safety demands evacuation, security demands containment. Specialist fire engineering resolves this tension.. The Security Safety Conflict In no other building type is the conflict between fire safety and primary function so stark. Prisons must keep people in; fire safety demands getting people out. Fire Risk in Prisons Arson accounts for 80%+ of prison fires: Cell fires set deliberately using mattresses, clothing, or paper Common areas targeted during disturbances Fires used as diversion for other activities Mental health related fire setting Evacuation Strategy Progressive horizontal evacuation: Move affected prisoners to adjacent wing/spur within same security perimeter External evacuation only as absolute last resort Staff unlock and manage all movement Headcount at every stage — no prisoner unaccounted for Design Considerations Cell design: 30 minute fire rated cell doors (minimum) Anti barricade door furniture allowing forced entry Heat detectors (not smoke — too many false alarms from smoking/vaping) Fire resistant mattresses and bedding Limited combustible materials Vision panels for observation Anti ligature, anti tamper design throughout Common areas: Robust sprinkler systems with anti vandal heads Fire resistant furniture and fittings CCTV integration with fire alarm for rapid response Hose reel access on every landing Fire rated barriers between wings The Victorian Prison Challenge Much of the prison estate dates from the Victorian era: Open landings with no compartmentation Timber roof structures Inadequate fire detection Limited fire service access Listed building constraints on modifications Fire engineering solutions must work within these constraints, typically relying heavily on management measures and detection rather than structural improvements. Key Standards PSI 09/2015 — Fire Safety Order for prisons NOMS Fire Safety Manual — operational guidance HTM 05 02 principles — adapted for custodial settings BS 7974 — fire engineering approach for complex prison designs For secure environment fire engineering, contact Magnus Opifex. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.