Contents

2.0 Introduction
2.1 Compartmentation
2.2 Separation
2.3 Structural protection
2.4 Cavities
2.5 Internal linings
2.6 Spread to adjoining buildings
2.7 Spread on external walls
2.8 Spread from adjoining buildings
2.9 Means of escape
2.10 Escape lighting
2.11 Communication
2.12 Fire service access
2.13 Fire service water supply
2.14 Fire service facilities

Annexes
2.A Additional guidance for residential care buildings other than hospitals
2.B Additional guidance for hospitals
2.C Additional guidance for enclosed shopping centres with malls
2.D Resistance to fire
2.E Reaction to fire

2.0 Introduction
2.0.1 Aims
2.0.2 Latest changes
2.0.3 Relevant legislation
2.0.4 Annexes
2.0.5 Alternative approaches
2.0.6 Classification of building
2.0.7 Rules of measurement

Introduction
2.0 Guidance

2.0.1 Aims

The guidance in this Section relates to fire safety in non-domestic buildings. It covers all buildings other than houses and buildings containing flats and maisonettes.

Life safety is the paramount objective of fire safety. Non-domestic buildings should be designed and constructed in such a way that the risk of fire is reduced and if a fire does occur, there are measures in place to help the occupants escape. Standards 2.2, 2.6 and 2.8 cover the reduction of the risk of fires from adjoining buildings and standard 2.5 covers the limitation of the spread of fire on internal surfaces. In the event of an outbreak of fire, it is important that the occupants are warned as soon as possible, so the guidance to standard 2.11 provides recommendations for the installation of alarm and detection systems in buildings where people may be asleep or where there is a particularly high risk. Once alerted to the existence of the fire, the building should be designed to aid escape in accordance with the guidance to standard 2.9. In some cases it is important to install lighting to aid escape and the guidance to standard 2.10 provides the appropriate recommendations. The guidance to standards 2.1, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.7 is intended to inhibit the spread of the fire while evacuation is in progress and perhaps fire-fighting is attempted. In order to assist the fire service in carrying out rescue or fire-fighting operations, guidance is provided to standards 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14.

The second objective of fire safety is property protection. However this is not fully covered by the building regulations which are concerned about the protection of people form the dangers inherent in buildings, rather than protecting the owners of buildings from any economic loss which might occur. Therefore it is important for designers and owners of buildings to understand that compliance with this guidance will not necessarily provide sufficient fire protection from the total destruction of the building and the subsequent economic loss. Although beyond the scope of this guidance, the adoption of good fire safety practices should be encouraged to reduce the risk of fire occurring in the first place. Fire prevention will not only save lives but will reduce environmental pollution and will encourage sustainability of the economy.

The standards and guidance in this section are designed to work together to provide a balanced approach for fire safety. It is important to follow all the guidance and where a building element, material , component, or other part identified in the guidance is covered by more than one level of performance, then the most demanding level should be achieved.

In order to achieve these objectives, the building elements, materials and the component parts should follow the appropriate performance levels that are prescribed throughout the guidance.

In the case of a mixed use building containing non-domestic and domestic accommodation, reference should be made to the domestic guidance document as well as the guidance contained in this document.

2.0.2 Latest changes

It was the intention that this section would be a straight transcription of the previous Parts D and E of the Technical Standards, however, in some cases, the guidance has been clarified and updated.

The following is a summary of the guidance that has been introduced or removed since the 6^th Amendment to the Technical Standards came into force on 4 March 2002.

2.0.4 changed classification of building from purpose groups to fire hazard category or sub-category;

2.1.1 compartmentation in storage buildings (Class 1) changed, guidance on compartmentation between single storey and multi-storey buildings included, long duration included for basements and compartmentation in residential buildings (other than residential care buildings) clarified;

2.1.4 different fire hazard categories transferred from separation to compartmentation;

2.1.9 self-closing fire doors with a medium duration included for fire-fighting shafts;

2.1.14 shutters in the enclosing structure of a protected zone are not recommended and guidance provided on remote activation of shutters;

2.1.16 guidance on fire resisting ceilings consolidated;

2.4.0 reference to rainscreen cladding removed (D6.5);

2.4.2 reference changed from overcladding to external wall and roof cladding;

2.6.1 guidance simplified for external walls in relation to boundaries;

2.7.0 alternative guidance provided for fire spread on external walls;

2.9.26 fire resistance of external walls in relation to protected zones amended;

2.9.27 external escape stairs increased from 6 m to 7.5 m above ground level;

2.9.29 temporary waiting spaces on external escape stairs included;

2.9.30 size of rooms inside protected zones introduced;

2.9.36 shutters not recommended in the enclosing structure of a protected zone;

2.11.1 reference made to new British Standard for fire detection and alarm systems;

2.12.1 access route for fire service appliances clarified;

1.12.3 type of access door for fire service personnel clarified;

2.14.1 fire-fighting facilities on escape stairs clarified;

2.14.3 guidance on size of window opening introduced for smoke clearance;

Annexes

2.D fire test exposure changed to inside only for external walls less than 1 m to the boundary;

2.D insulation criterion clarified for escape route protection;

2.D guidance on smoke seals to fire doors clarified.

Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

2.0.3 Relevant legislation

The purpose of the guidance in Section 2: Fire is to provide guidance for the completed building. It does not address the risk of fire during construction work which is covered by the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. When the construction work is being carried out on a completed building which, apart from the construction site, remains occupied, the fire authority are responsible for the enforcement of the 1996 regulations in respect of fire. Where the building is unoccupied, the health and Safety Executive are responsible for enforcement.

The fire safety of buildings in use is covered by a number of pieces of legislation which may also be relevant in the design of new buildings, alterations, extensions and conversions to existing buildings.

The Fire Precautions Act 1971

The Fire Precautions Act 1971 and associated designated orders also apply to non-domestic buildings. The Fire Authority cannot as a condition of issuing a fire certificate, make requirements for structural or other alterations to the fire precautions that have been the subject of a building warrant. However, if the fire authority is satisfied that the fire precautions are inadequate by reason of matters that were not subject to building warrant approval, then the fire authority is not barred from making requirements.

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997

In December 1997, the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations came into force. They were amended in 1999 so as to apply to a wider range of premises, including those already subject to the Fire Precautions Act. These regulations comes into force when the building is occupied and impose a duty on every employer to provide adequate precautions in the workplace in case of fire. The regulations establishes the principles of risk assessment which should take account of fire fighting equipment, fire detection, emergency routes and exits and their maintenance. The employer should also include in their assessment, employees and visitors who may have special needs or may be unfamiliar with the evacuation strategy or the escape routes. This requirement applies to any workplace and includes buildings where the public have access.

The Fire Authority is responsible for both the enforcement of the above Act and the Regulations. (Reference to procedural guidance on consultation between the verifier and fire authority to be confirmed later).

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers to assess the risks to workers and any others who may be affected by their work or business. The objective is to identify preventative and protective measures and implement corrective action as appropriate. For example, staff may require training in moving and handling people with disabilities, including the use of specially designed evacuation chairs.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

The requirements for fire exit signs and directional exit signage is contained in other regulations. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 impose requirements in relation to fire safety signs. In addition, the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended) require emergency routes and exits to be indicated by signs. Advice on fire safety signs is given in the HSE publication, Safety signs and signals : Guidance on Regulations — The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

The Fire Services Act 1947

The Fire Services Act 1947 requires that a fire authority should take all reasonable measures for ensuring the provision of an adequate supply of water, and for securing that it will be available for use, in the case of fire. The designer should therefore consult the fire authority early in the design process to establish whether the proposed water supply arrangements is to their satisfaction.

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Order 2000

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) may require to be licensed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 - Order 2000. To be classified as a house in multiple occupation, the accommodation must be the only or principal residence of 3 or more people from different families. The Stationery Office publication, ‘Guidance on the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, 2000’, should be used for guidance where a licence is required. Where the proposal involves building work or the building or part of the building is being converted into HMOs the guidance contained in this document is relevant where the HMO is not a dwelling. That is, having more than six residents or where the residents do not live as a single household.

Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975

The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.

When designing or verifying sports grounds, it is appropriate to use the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Fourth Edition 1997). The guide has no statutory force but many of its recommendations will be given force of law at individual grounds by their inclusion in safety certificates issued under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 or the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 contains provisions relating to applications for new liquor licences. The types of licence are: public house; off-sale; hotel; restricted hotel; restaurant; refreshment and entertainment licences. The licensing authority required to assess the suitability of the premises for its intended purpose before a licence is granted. The licensing authority normally consults planning, building control, food hygiene, the fire authority and the police before making their decision.

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 contains provisions for public entertainment licences. Similarly to liquor licences, the licensing authority are required to assess the suitability of the premises before granting the license. The licensing authority normally consults the fire authority and the police before making their decision.

2.0.4 Annexes

2.A : Residential care buildings other than hospitals

2.B : Hospitals

2.C : Enclosed shopping centres with malls

Certain types of buildings pose particular risks and require particular solutions. Additional guidance for three specific building types are grouped in three annexes; residential care buildings (other than hospitals) in Annex 2.A; hospitals in Annex 2.B and enclosed shopping centres with malls in Annex 2.C. The intention is to help designers and verifiers find the information they require quickly when designing or vetting such buildings. However, it is important to remember that the guidance in the annexes is in addition and supplementary to the guidance to standard 2.1 to 2.14.

NHS in Scotland Firecode

Fire safety in residential care buildings and hospitals is also dependent upon the way a building is furnished, staffed and managed. Designers of residential care buildings and hospitals should also make reference to the relevant documents which comprise NHS in Scotland Firecode.

The additional guidance in Annex 2.C is relevant to the design and construction of enclosed shopping centres with malls. However, even this guidance is not sufficient for those shopping centres with a mall on 3 or more storeys and a fire engineered solution is normally needed to supplement the guidance.

2.D: Resistance to Fire and 2.E: Reaction to Fire

In order to comply with the construction products directive (CPD) 89/106/EEC as amended by 93/68/EEC, European harmonised fire tests are specified for construction products in Annex 2.D and Annex 2.E. Both British and European fire tests should therefore be considered as equal until the British Standard tests are withdrawn. Reference throughout this document to a short, medium or long duration fire resistance, will be satisfied by the criteria in Annex 2.B: Resistance to Fire. Reference to construction materials that are non-combustible, low risk, medium risk, high risk or very high risk, will be satisfied by the criteria in Annex 2.C: Reaction to Fire.

Fire safety engineering

2.0.5 Alternative approaches

Fire safety engineering can provide an alternative approach to the fire safety measures in this guidance document. It may be the only practical way to achieve a satisfactory level of fire safety in some large and complex buildings, and in buildings containing different uses e.g. airport terminals. Fire safety engineering may also be suitable for solving a problem with any aspect of the design which otherwise follows the guidance in this document.

BS 7974: 2001

BS 7974: 2001 ‘Application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings, provides a framework to identify and define one or more fire safety design issues to be addressed using fire safety engineering. It is supported by the PD 7974 series of Published Documents 0 to 7 that contain guidance and information on how to undertake a detailed analysis of specific aspects of fire safety engineering in buildings.

Some variation of the guidance may also be appropriate when assessing the guidance against the constraints in existing buildings or in buildings of special architectural or historic interest. In such cases it would be appropriate to take into account a range of fire safety features, some of which are dealt with in this document and some of which are not addressed in any detail. An assessment should be carried out of the fire safety strategy and features on offer against the hazard and risk unique to the particular case.

Fire Hazard Categories

2.0.6 Classification of building

For the purposes of the guidance associated with standards 2.1, 2.3 and 2.6, all buildings are categorised according to their fire hazards (see table below). This method of classification need not be used when adopting the alternative approach using BS 7974.

Ancillary uses

In the determination of building classification, any use which is ancillary to another use or which is of a minor nature may be disregarded and the classification may be taken as the principal use or uses. However, this does not apply where part of the building is used for high hazard storage.

Compartments may be classified independently

A building designer is free to choose whether additional compartment walls or floors would benefit the overall aims of the project. Therefore each compartment may be independently classified into different fire hazard categories or sub-categories whether or not the compartmentation is recommended by the guidance in this document. High and medium fire hazard categories are each divided into 4 sub-categories.

Classification of building by fire hazard category / sub-category

Notes:

1. Storage Building (Class 1)

Any storage building containing hazardous goods or materials, including:

any compressed, liquefied or dissolved gas, any substance which becomes dangerous by interaction with either air or water, any liquid substance with a flash point below 65^° Celsius including whisky or other spirituous liquor, any corrosive substance, any substance capable of emitting poisonous fumes, any oxidising agent, any substance liable to spontaneous combustion, any substance that changes or decomposes readily giving out heat when doing so, any combustible solid substance with a flash point less than 120^° Celsius, any substance likely to spread fire by flowing from one part of a building to another.

2. Storage Building (Class 2)

Any storage building other than one in Class 1, including car parks or parking garages, other than those which are Class 1 or open sided car parks.

3. Factory (Class 1)

Any factory involved in manufacturing, processing, repairing, cleaning, washing, breaking up or otherwise treating any substance comprising or used in association with:

adhesives, asphalt and bituminous products, chemical and allied industries, cleaners and solvents, clothing and footwear (excluding laundering), coal and petroleum products, cork products, dry cleaning, dye-stuffs and pigments, fertilisers, grains and cereals, inks, insulated wires and cables, leather, sheepskin and fur, linoleum, magnetic tape, oils and greases, paints, paper, printing and publishing (excluding paper manufacturing), pharmaceutical products, photographic materials and products, plastics, polishes, rubber and synthetic rubber, soaps and detergents, spirit distilling, surgical bandages and plasters, synthetic resins, textiles, timber, joinery, furniture, brushes and brooms, toilet preparations, upholstery, weedkillers and pesticides.

4. Factory (Class 2)

Any factory other than one in Class 1, including buildings used for generating or supplying power or slaughtering livestock.

5. The brackets after the fire hazard category or sub-category give the purpose group or purpose sub-group used to describe these buildings in the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (as amended).

Supplementary rules of measurement unique

to fire

2.0.7 Rules of measurement

Measurements referred to in this section should be made according to the rules set out in Regulation 7 and listed in Section 0. The following additional rules apply just to this section.

Different occupation

General

Any measurement of parts of a building in different occupation shall be taken separately, except for the purposes of calculating the area of an enclosed shopping centre with a mall. Different occupation, in relation to two adjoining buildings or parts of one building, means occupation of those buildings by different persons.

Area

The area of:

a) a building should be taken to be the total floor area of all storeys within that building;

b) a compartment should be taken to be the total floor area of all storeys within that compartment;

c) an enclosed shopping centre with a mall should be taken to be the total floor area of all storeys within that enclosed shopping centre.

Plant storeys excluded

Height and depth

The measurement of height above ground to the top storey, excludes roof-top plant areas and any top storeys consisting exclusively of plant rooms.