Passive fire protection is where compliance, community safety, and accountability converge. For BDL Fire Protection, that responsibility has always been key to how they operate – and now it’s shaping a broader commitment to social value that reaches well beyond the extent of any single project.
In this Meet the Buyer feature, we speak to Charlotte Leatherbarrow, BDL’s Quantity Surveyor, to explore how this family-run business is adapting to changing client expectations and maintaining a people-first ethos to deliver meaningful impact alongside compliant, high-quality work.
Introduction to BDL Fire Protection
Can you tell us a bit about BDL Fire Protection, your role within the business, and the types of projects you typically deliver?
“BDL was set up in 2015 by my husband and his brother. It’s a family-run company – his dad works here, our son, and friends he’s worked alongside throughout his career.
My role is Quantity Surveyor. I assist with quoting works and completing tenders, so I’m closely involved in how we position ourselves with clients and what we commit to on each project.
BDL is a passive fire protection specialist – we install fire protection, carry out compartmentation surveys, fire door surveys, and fire door remedial works, delivering FRA works across social housing, schools, hospitals, and commercial and residential settings.”
The Weight of Responsibility
Operating within the passive fire protection sector, trust and compliance are clearly critical. How does that sense of responsibility influence the way BDL approaches its wider social value and community impact?
“Passive fire protection directly impacts the safety and well-being of building occupants and the wider community. So, we deliver high-quality, fully compliant works in line with current legislation, and all our staff are trained, competent, and qualified to maintain those professional and safety standards.
Beyond the technical side, where we can, we use local suppliers and subcontractors to contribute to regional economic growth.”
Changing Expectations
How have client expectations around social value, ESG and evidencing impact evolved in recent years?
“We’ve seen a massive increase in focus on social value and ESG, especially through the public sector and frameworks. Clients want to know not just what you’ll do, but how you’ll do it and how you’ll evidence it.
We’ve also seen a significant rise in environmental expectations. Clients are asking what we’re doing as a business to operate more sustainably. We understand these changing expectations, and we’re committed to delivering not only compliant work but also meaningful social value on every project.”
Why Social Value Matters in Specialist Subcontracting
Why is social value becoming increasingly important within specialist subcontractor industries such as passive fire protection?
“Clients are increasingly expecting contractors to deliver wider benefits beyond the core scope of works. In passive fire protection, where the work directly impacts public safety and compliance, accountability and trust are especially important.
Having a strong social value offering builds genuine relationships with clients, and it demonstrates that we’re not here to just complete a job, but are committed to delivering safe, responsible works with a positive impact on the communities we work in.”
The Challenge of Evidencing Impact
What challenges were you facing when it came to tracking, managing, or evidencing your social value activity before looking for a dedicated solution?
“We had no structured way of tracking what we were delivering for our clients. Everything was handled through emails or Teams meetings, telling clients what we’d provided, but with nothing concrete to show for it.
There were moments where it felt like we hadn’t hit our social value goals, when in reality we had - we just had no way of demonstrating it.”
Finding the Right Solution
What prompted BDL to start exploring software solutions specifically for social value management?
“We’ve been growing our tender activity, and social value is carrying increasing weight in those processes – in some cases more than price. We needed something that could show clients what we had achieved, provide updates when needed, and even demonstrate potential outcomes at the tender stage.”
What was important to you when selecting the right platform and partner for your business?
“A lot of BDL’s work has come through word of mouth, which I feel is a real reflection of a company’s quality, and when we’re looking for something to help us improve, we apply that same standard.”
Why did Compliance Chain stand out as the right fit for BDL Fire Protection?
“It came through word of mouth, hearing how well Compliance Chain had helped other companies achieve what they set out to do. From that first Teams call, both members of the team were friendly, made sure we understood everything, and didn’t push us for a decision.”
The Value of Measurable Evidence
How important is it for businesses today to have clear, measurable evidence of the impact they’re delivering for clients, communities, and stakeholders?
“Clients want to see that companies are achieving their goals, not just making commitments. Providing accurate, measurable data builds trust, accountability, and credibility, and for a business like ours, where compliance and safety are at the core of everything, being able to demonstrate that evidence is essential.”
Looking Ahead
How do you see the role of social value continuing to develop across the construction and fire protection industries?
“I can only see it increasing and potentially becoming more important than price on many projects. Clients need to show they’re committed to making meaningful improvements to buildings and communities, and passive fire protection carries a particular weight in that conversation, especially given the issues the industry has faced in recent years.”
