British Standards Institution publishes BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021 Code of Practice for fire safety professionals

This is the fourth in a five-part series of British Standards giving recommendations on how fire protection measures should operate. Part 4 deals with the mechanisms for opening doors that form part of the means of escape in a fire. BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021 is the first amendment to the 2015 version of this British Standard.

It’s aimed at fire detection and fire alarm designers, fire alarm manufacturers and installers, enforcing authorities (including building control bodies and Fire and Rescue Services), M&E contractors, property managers, gas, lift and fire safety engineers and consultants and also fire risk assessors.

This is an amendment to BS 7273-4:2015 prompted by research that identified the potential for confusion between red break glass Call Points and door release units on electronically locked doors leading to unwanted alarms.

Recommendations are put forward to resolve this issue. The document provides clarity on when a door may be secured with a panic bar (also known as a panic latch). It also makes it clear that, in some circumstances (such as in care homes catering for residents who are living with dementia), the normal green break glass might be omitted or subject to a variation in siting subsequent to a full and thorough risk assessment.

*Copies of BS 7273-4:2015+A1:2021 are available for purchase from the Fire Industry Association’s web shop