Fire safety design - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:27, 14 October 2026

2026-10-14T07:27:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:27, 14 October 2026
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	See also: Fire safety strategy.		See also: Fire safety strategy.
		+
		+	In England, the Building Safety Act 2022 has strengthened the requirements for keeping fire safety information, including the ‘golden thread’ of information for higher-risk buildings, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place further duties on responsible persons for multi-occupied residential buildings.

	= Prevention =		= Prevention =
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	Lightning damages buildings as an electrical current passes through building materials or along crevices between them, and energy is dissipated with heat reacting with the water content of building materials to produce very hot gases.		Lightning damages buildings as an electrical current passes through building materials or along crevices between them, and energy is dissipated with heat reacting with the water content of building materials to produce very hot gases.

−	Buildings most at risk are those with tall towers and ~~chimnies~~, as well as those at high altitudes, on hilltops or hillsides and ~~genrally~~ in isolated positions. Such structures should be provided with a lightning-conductor system to dissipate the electrical shock directly to the ground.	+	Buildings most at risk are those with tall towers and chimneys, as well as those at high altitudes, on hilltops or hillsides and generally in isolated positions. Such structures should be provided with a lightning-conductor system to dissipate the electrical shock directly to the ground.

	For more information, see Lightning protection system.		For more information, see Lightning protection system.
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	In the short term, services and installations should be correctly designed, specified, constructed, checked and commissioned. In the long term, checking and replacement cycles should be in place so that correct operation can be maintained.		In the short term, services and installations should be correctly designed, specified, constructed, checked and commissioned. In the long term, checking and replacement cycles should be in place so that correct operation can be maintained.

−	=== Fuel limitation ===	+	== Fuel limitation ==

	Limiting the amount of fuel available will help to reduce risk in two ways:		Limiting the amount of fuel available will help to reduce risk in two ways:
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	Active measures are those which have to be activated either automatically or manually. This includes sprinklers, fire hydrants, extinguishers and smoke detectors. In the event of a fire, they will be activated by some agent or form of communication, informing people or equipment of the presence of fire and instructing them to take measures to contain its spread.		Active measures are those which have to be activated either automatically or manually. This includes sprinklers, fire hydrants, extinguishers and smoke detectors. In the event of a fire, they will be activated by some agent or form of communication, informing people or equipment of the presence of fire and instructing them to take measures to contain its spread.

−	= Passive fire resistance =	+	== Passive fire resistance ==

	The fire resistance of an element of construction is a measure of its ability to withstand the effects of fire in one or more ways, as follows:		The fire resistance of an element of construction is a measure of its ability to withstand the effects of fire in one or more ways, as follows:
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	* Dissipation: ensuring that heat applied to an assembly is rapidly dissipated to other materials or to the air, so that the temperature of the assembly is not raised to a critical level.		* Dissipation: ensuring that heat applied to an assembly is rapidly dissipated to other materials or to the air, so that the temperature of the assembly is not raised to a critical level.

−	= Passive structural protection =	+	== Passive structural protection ==

	The level of fire protection appropriate to structural elements depends on:		The level of fire protection appropriate to structural elements depends on:
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	Once the length of time a structure must survive has been established, it is possible to design the structural elements to provide that degree of safety.		Once the length of time a structure must survive has been established, it is possible to design the structural elements to provide that degree of safety.

−	= Passive compartmentation =	+	Approved Document B is published in two volumes, Dwellings and Buildings other than dwellings, and has been amended several times since 2019, most recently in 2026. Further guidance is given in BS 9999:2017 for non-residential buildings and in BS 9991:2024 for residential buildings, which replaced BS 9991:2015.
		+
		+	== Passive compartmentation ==

	The spread of fire can be restricted by sub-dividing buildings into a number of discrete compartments. These fire compartments are separated from one another by compartment walls and compartment floors made of a fire-resisting construction which hinders the spread of fire.		The spread of fire can be restricted by sub-dividing buildings into a number of discrete compartments. These fire compartments are separated from one another by compartment walls and compartment floors made of a fire-resisting construction which hinders the spread of fire.
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	For more information see Fire compartmentation.		For more information see Fire compartmentation.

−	= Passive envelope protection =	+	== Passive envelope protection ==

	This aims to limit the threat posed by a fire to adjoining properties and people outside the building, as well as to limit the possibility of a fire starting as a result of a fire in an adjoining building.		This aims to limit the threat posed by a fire to adjoining properties and people outside the building, as well as to limit the possibility of a fire starting as a result of a fire in an adjoining building.
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	External walls need careful consideration as heat radiated through them from a burning building might ignite adjoining buildings if they are too close. The danger of radiant heat can be reduced by restricting the number of openings in the external walls of a building if it is close to other buildings.		External walls need careful consideration as heat radiated through them from a burning building might ignite adjoining buildings if they are too close. The danger of radiant heat can be reduced by restricting the number of openings in the external walls of a building if it is close to other buildings.

−	= Active measures =	+	== Active measures ==

	These are measures that operate only in the event of a fire. They are mostly concerned with the particular problem of smoke control and the limitation of the spread of smoke throughout a building.		These are measures that operate only in the event of a fire. They are mostly concerned with the particular problem of smoke control and the limitation of the spread of smoke throughout a building.
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	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

−	* ACM cladding.
−	* Automatic fire detection and alarm systems, an introductory guide to components and systems BR 510.
	* Cavity barrier.		* Cavity barrier.
	* Combustibility.		* Combustibility.
−	* Common principles of International Fire Safety Standard introduced.
−	* Compartment floor.
−	* Drenchers.
−	* External fire spread, Supplementary guidance to BR 187 incorporating probabilistic and time-based approaches.
	* Fire.		* Fire.
	* Fire and rescue service.		* Fire and rescue service.
−	* Fire authority.
−	* Fire blanket.
	* Fire compartmentation.		* Fire compartmentation.
−	* Fire damper.
	* Fire detection and alarm system.		* Fire detection and alarm system.
−	* Fire engineer.
−	* Fire extinguisher.
−	* Fire fatalities in Scotland.
−	* Fire inspector.
−	* Fire protection engineering.
−	* Fire spread.
	* Fire resistance.		* Fire resistance.
−	* Fire risk assessments and historic buildings.
−	* Fire risk in high-rise and super high-rise buildings DG 533.
−	* Fire suppression.
−	* Firefighting route.
−	* Firefighting shaft.
−	* Fire safety certification from CIOB.
	* Fire safety engineer.		* Fire safety engineer.
−	* Fire safety officer.
	* Fire safety strategy.		* Fire safety strategy.
−	* Fire separation.
	* Fire spread.		* Fire spread.
		+	* Fire suppression.
		+	* Firefighting shaft.
	* Flammable building materials.		* Flammable building materials.
−	* Free-swing door closer.
	* Grenfell Tower fire.		* Grenfell Tower fire.
−	* How installer competence can help prevent major residential fires.
−	* HSG 168 Fire safety in construction.
−	* Improving fire safety design with coupled hybrid modelling
−	* International Fire Safety Standards Coalition (IFSS).
	* Intumescent coatings.		* Intumescent coatings.
−	* Ionisation smoke alarm.
−	* Joint fire code.
	* Lightning protection system.		* Lightning protection system.
−	* Making the case for sprinklers and dispelling myths.
	* Means of escape.		* Means of escape.
−	* Passive fire protection is a vital tool in any fire strategy.
	* RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.		* RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.
−	* Safety signs.
−	* Smoke damper.
	* Smoke detector.		* Smoke detector.
−	* Sprinkler head.
−	* Summerland disaster.
−	* The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
−	* The impact of automatic sprinklers on building design.
	* The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.		* The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
−	* UN approves International Fire Safety Standards common principles.
−	* Underwriters Laboratories UL.
−	* Wayfinding.

	= External references =		= External references =

Designing Buildings at 09:00, 5 September 2024

2024-09-05T09:00:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:00, 5 September 2024
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	‘The Fire Safety Strategy forms an integral part of the design and must be integrated from the point at which a building project is identified and will continue though the ongoing Asset Management of the building, providing a golden thread of fire safety information. A high-level Site Appraisal to determine the fire safety suitability against the Client Requirements informs the viability of the project through Feasibility Studies. Layers of fire safety are integrated into the design as the project develops then constructed and managed in use in accordance with the Fire Safety Strategy and maintenance requirements.’		‘The Fire Safety Strategy forms an integral part of the design and must be integrated from the point at which a building project is identified and will continue though the ongoing Asset Management of the building, providing a golden thread of fire safety information. A high-level Site Appraisal to determine the fire safety suitability against the Client Requirements informs the viability of the project through Feasibility Studies. Layers of fire safety are integrated into the design as the project develops then constructed and managed in use in accordance with the Fire Safety Strategy and maintenance requirements.’
		+
		+	See also: Fire safety strategy.

	= Prevention =		= Prevention =
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	* Fire safety engineer.		* Fire safety engineer.
	* Fire safety officer.		* Fire safety officer.
		+	* Fire safety strategy.
	* Fire separation.		* Fire separation.
	* Fire spread.		* Fire spread.
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	* Fire safe – [http://www.firesafe.org.uk/ Fire safety advice centre]		* Fire safe – [http://www.firesafe.org.uk/ Fire safety advice centre]

−	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory~~]] [[Category:Building_safety~~]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Building_safety]]

Designing Buildings at 06:31, 14 May 2024

2024-05-14T06:31:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:31, 14 May 2024
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	* Fire safe – [http://www.firesafe.org.uk/ Fire safety advice centre]		* Fire safe – [http://www.firesafe.org.uk/ Fire safety advice centre]

−	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Building_safety]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 12:06, 1 November 2021

2021-11-01T12:06:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 1 November 2021
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	For more information see: Extinguishment.		For more information see: Extinguishment.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* ACM cladding.		* ACM cladding.
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	* Making the case for sprinklers and dispelling myths.		* Making the case for sprinklers and dispelling myths.
	* Means of escape.		* Means of escape.
		+	* Passive fire protection is a vital tool in any fire strategy.
	* RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.		* RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.
	* Safety signs.		* Safety signs.

Editor at 16:14, 6 August 2021

2021-08-06T16:14:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 6 August 2021
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	* Fire risk assessments and historic buildings.		* Fire risk assessments and historic buildings.
	* Fire risk in high-rise and super high-rise buildings DG 533.		* Fire risk in high-rise and super high-rise buildings DG 533.
		+	* Fire suppression.
	* Firefighting route.		* Firefighting route.
	* Firefighting shaft.		* Firefighting shaft.

Editor at 11:47, 20 April 2021

2021-04-20T11:47:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 20 April 2021
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	* The impact of automatic sprinklers on building design.		* The impact of automatic sprinklers on building design.
	* The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.		* The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
		+	* UN approves International Fire Safety Standards common principles.
	* Underwriters Laboratories UL.		* Underwriters Laboratories UL.
	* Wayfinding.		* Wayfinding.

Editor at 12:15, 11 January 2021

2021-01-11T12:15:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:15, 11 January 2021
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	* Firefighting route.		* Firefighting route.
	* Firefighting shaft.		* Firefighting shaft.
		+	* Fire safety certification from CIOB.
	* Fire safety engineer.		* Fire safety engineer.
	* Fire safety officer.		* Fire safety officer.

Editor at 12:21, 17 December 2020

2020-12-17T12:21:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:21, 17 December 2020
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	* Fire engineer.		* Fire engineer.
	* Fire extinguisher.		* Fire extinguisher.
		+	* Fire fatalities in Scotland.
	* Fire inspector.		* Fire inspector.
	* Fire protection engineering.		* Fire protection engineering.

Editor at 16:21, 4 December 2020

2020-12-04T16:21:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 4 December 2020
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	* Grenfell Tower fire.		* Grenfell Tower fire.
	* How installer competence can help prevent major residential fires.		* How installer competence can help prevent major residential fires.
		+	* HSG 168 Fire safety in construction.
	* Improving fire safety design with coupled hybrid modelling		* Improving fire safety design with coupled hybrid modelling
	* International Fire Safety Standards Coalition (IFSS).		* International Fire Safety Standards Coalition (IFSS).

Designing Buildings at 10:52, 20 November 2020

2020-11-20T10:52:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:52, 20 November 2020
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	These agents can be applied either by the occupants themselves, through auto-suppression systems, or by the fire and rescue service.		These agents can be applied either by the occupants themselves, through auto-suppression systems, or by the fire and rescue service.

−	Sprinklers are designed to extinguish small fires or contain growing fires until the fire-and-rescue service arrives. Almost all buildings over 30m high must be fitted with a sprinkler system installed in accordance with the appropriate British Standards.	+	For more information see: Extinguishment.
−		+
−	Sprinkler heads are heat sensitive and normally activate at 68°C. Each sprinkler head acts as its own heat detector and only those in the fire area will be activated. An individual sprinkler head typically covers around 9m2.	+
−		+
−	In certain buildings, it can be difficult for the fire-and-rescue service to safely reach and work close to fires. Under such circumstances, additional facilities are required to ensure that there is no delay and to provide a secure operating base. This might include:	+
−		+
−	* Firefighting routes	+
−	* Firefighting lifts	+
−	* Firefighting stairs	+
−	* Firefighting shaft.	+

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =