BSI opens draft BS 750 fire safety standard for public comment

BS 750 Underground Fire Hydrants. Surface Box Frames and Covers. Specification specifies areas including surface box frames and covers, ensuring they are designed, manufactured and tested to deliver reliable performance.

The British Standard is designed to provide a cnsistent technical framework for manufacturers, water companies and Fire and Rescue Services, supporting durability, compatibility and effective operation.

By setting clear specifications and performance criteria, BS 750 aims to help maintain the dependable hydrant infrastructure that’s essential for public safety and effective emergency response right across the UK.

The revised document is intended to “provide greater clarity and strengthened requirements” within the British Standard. The proposed amendment aims to improve clarity in definitions and figures in order to ensure that the measurement of the flow coefficient is clearly described, in line with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendation, as published in September 2024.

Further, the revised document actively strengthens requirements for third party verification and certification alongside the delivery of enhanced technical specifications “designed to support greater consistency, transparency and accountability” across the industry.

Initially, the draft for public comment is being promoted to existing users of BS 750, with wider engagement across the industry set to follow. As previously stated, the consultation process encourages stakeholders to review the document and provide input by 13 April.

Anne Hayes, director of sectors and standards development at the BSI, explained: “The publication of this draft standard reflects our clear commitment to responding constructively to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and supporting safety across the built environment.”

Hayes added: “We recognise the importance of actively addressing the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations through the standards-making process. By progressing this amendment to BS 750, we are reinforcing our role as a responsible partner in supporting public safety and strengthening the technical standards that underpin critical Fire and Rescue Service infrastructure.”

*Stakeholders are invited to review the draft British Standard and submit comments during the public consultation period by visiting https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2025-01893

PAS 9970: Parts 1 and 2

The BSI has also released draft versions of Parts 1 and 2 of PAS 9970 Fire safety in Construction for public comment, with the closing date for submissions being 18 March.

PAS 9970-1:2026 Fire Safety in Construction – Organisation and Site Fire Safety – Code of Practice applies to construction work conducted on construction sites that are scheduled to last longer than 30 working days and employ more than 20 people working simultaneously at any point or are otherwise scheduled to exceed 500 working days in total.

This document provides recommendations and guidance on strategic fire safety practices for construction contractors. That includes the development and implementation of proportionate fire safety management systems designed to suitably and sufficiently manage organisational and site-specific fire safety risks.

The PAS doesn’t apply to construction sites involving special hazards that present a high risk to life (eg large-scale petrochemical, nuclear or high-explosive environments). The BSI has noted that such environments might require additional or alternative fire safety precautions beyond those covered in this document.

PAS 9970-2:2026 Fire Safety in Construction – Design and Installation of Temporary Fire Alarm Systems – Specification specifies requirements and performance criteria for life-critical fire detection and fire alarm system products intended for deployment in temporary installations during construction work.

This particular part of PAS 9970 is intended for use by manufacturers, suppliers and system specifiers and might also be of interest to installers and construction site managers responsible for fire safety.

It’s important to note that this part of PAS 9970 doesn’t cover fire detection and fire alarm systems for permanent installations and the applicability of features for a particular installation.