The expected date of the public consultation process is 30 April-13 June for PAS 9970-1 and 23 June-5 August for PAS 9970-2. The expected date of publication for both is February 2026.

Fire is an ever-present danger on construction sites and notably so where hot works are being performed. While several guidance documents have been published (ie Fire Safety in Construction HSG 168 and the Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation), these documents lack detailed guidance on how to design, specify, install, maintain and monitor temporary fire detection and alarm systems. No other fire standards are available specifically for construction.

Given the dynamic nature of a construction project, related standards for buildings are generally not suitable. Guidance regarding the systematic risk management processes and principles through which fire safety should be managed on a construction site is not currently available. This makes designing, specifying, installing, maintaining and monitoring temporary fire detection and alarm systems for effective fire safety management sub-optimal.

The PAS aims to address these gaps in the standard landscape by providing a specification for temporary fire detection and alarm systems for construction projects, along with guidance on the assessment of construction fire safety requirements and site equipment needs.  

Draft scope

Part 1 of this PAS applies to all relevant types of construction activity and projects defined and covered by the Fire Safety Order and the Construction Design and Management Regulations where a fire risk assessment is required and/or defined by legislation.

Construction sites with special hazards and the potential for high risk to life require consideration of additional factors associated with these hazards. Their means of control are not currently included in this PAS and might require consideration of additional requirements.

Part 1 makes recommendations for (and gives guidance on) fire safety practices in the construction sector. This includes recommendations relevant for construction contractors to suitably and sufficiently manage organisational and site fire safety risk through the use of proportionate risk management systems, as well as the assessment of site equipment needs, installation, maintenance and monitoring.

PAS 9970-2 establishes the minimum requirements of temporary fire detection and alarm systems for construction sites. It will define minimum requirements for the technical specification and capabilities of these systems.

These requirements will cover:

*the minimum list of components that must be present for a system to meet the requirements (eg base station, Call Points and detectors) and their various types

*an extended list of components that some installations may also use (eg stand-alone sounders, information points, remote monitoring interfaces and general purpose I/O devices, etc

*a minimum specification for how system functionality (including network integrity) is verified and reported, with a list of product requirements for how those responsible for maintenance will ensure the system is tested

*a minimum specification for how alarms are reported and the time taken between detection and reporting, with consideration around zoning and the needs of a large construction site.

*a specification for battery life in quiescent and alarm conditions

*a specification for how the products may be powered (eg requirements on the safety performance of batteries in the event of crushing episodes, etc)

*a specification for water and particle ingress protection (eg an IP rating)

*a specification for how system and device resets are handled

*the technical requirements for a product that implements remote monitoring

*the minimum list of standards against which the product must be certified   

PAS applicability

The PAS applies to all sites of construction activity where a temporary fire alarm and/or fire detection system is required or recommended following a fire risk assessment, as defined by the current legislation.

This PAS is not applicable to permanent fire alarm or fire detection systems, nor finished structures or premises where a permanent fire alarm or fire detection system is required by legislation.

Construction sites or premises undergoing construction where a fire risk assessment is not required by legislation are beyond the scope of this PAS.

The requirements within this PAS aim to address life safety considerations for those in the immediate vicinity of a construction site including employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public from the risks posed by fire. These requirements also aim to minimise the risk to property (the premises and their contents), the environment and disruption of construction activity in the event of a fire on-site.

This PAS is for use by fire engineers, construction managers, construction sector Health and Safety/fire safety managers, temporary alarm system manufacturers, temporary alarm system installers and insurance companies.

Review Panel members will be invited to submit comments electronically during a public consultation via the BSI Standards Development Portal in March 2025 (Part 1) and April 2025 (Part 20. There are not going to be any Review Panel meetings.

The Council has already accepted the Inquiry’s findings, which included that the Council’s Building Control department failed to perform its statutory function of ensuring that the design of the Grenfell Tower refurbishment complied with the Building Regulations.

The Inquiry Panel also found significant failings in the way the Council responded in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy in terms of both leadership and governance. There was a breakdown in its relationship with residents.

Since September, through a series of public meetings, drop-in sessions and in writing, the bereaved, survivors and residents alike have all aired their views on how the Council should respond to the Inquiry. Public meetings have been independently facilitated by the Right Reverend James Jones KBE.  

Council’s response

The Council’s response comes 12 weeks after the Inquiry Panel’s final report was published and includes:

*commissioning a review of the culture within the Council, examining questions of discrimination and how residents are treated 

*an end-to-end review of the complaints process  

*establishing an independent Advisory Panel of bereaved family members, survivors and residents alongside independent experts in social housing, safety, customer service and organisational change   

*extending an existing ban on contractors implicated in the Grenfell Inquiry 

*setting up a new corporate resident procurement panel to give residents a genuine voice in selecting and managing contracts, with training provided  

*supporting all staff in Building Control to complete professional accreditation and training  

*training staff to regard resilience and emergency response as part of their core responsibilities and including specific resilience responsibilities in all senior officer job descriptions   

Changes post-June 2017

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Council has brought housing services back in-house to build a more direct relationship with residents. It has also strengthened its resilience team, working with communities to ensure that the organisation is better prepared for emergencies.

Further, the Council has put safety at the heart of its £374 million capital programme with a dedicated in-house fire safety team and implemented the Phase 1 recommendations from the Inquiry report.

*Read the response in full on the Council’s Committee pages. View the Leader’s speech to full Council on Wednesday 27 November and watch the Council meeting in its entirety on YouTube

For the first time, the Government has set clear target dates for making buildings safe and will propose to introduce significantly tougher penalties for any refusal to act.

By the end of 2029, all 18 metres-plus (ie high-rise) buildings with unsafe cladding in a Government-funded scheme will have been remediated. By the end of 2029, every 11 metres-plus building with unsafe cladding will either have been remediated or have a date set for completion. Otherwise, landlords will be liable for severe penalties. 

The Remediation Acceleration Plan will also be backed by investment in enforcement so that local authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Building Safety Regulator have the capacity to tackle hundreds of cases each year.

Alongside the Remediation Acceleration Plan, the Government is publishing a joint Action Plan with developers to accelerate their work to fix buildings for which they are responsible. At least 29 developers, covering over 95% of the buildings which developers are remediating themselves, have committed to more than doubling the rate at which they’ve been assessing and starting to fix unsafe buildings, meaning that work on all of their buildings will begin by the summer of 2027.

Unsafe cladding   

Seven years after 72 lives were tragically lost following the Grenfell Tower fire, thousands of residents still live in buildings wrapped in unsafe cladding. To date, 95% of buildings with the same type of cladding used on Grenfell have been remediated. However, only 30% of identified buildings in England have been remediated, with potentially thousands more buildings yet to be identified.

Since July, the Government has engaged with Mayors, local enforcement agencies and developers alike to address the unacceptably slow pace of remediation and is now setting out its roadmap to speed up the whole process.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan follows the publication of the full Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report in early September, which highlighted catastrophic and systemic failures in keeping people safe. It delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment that the Government would set out further steps on remediation by the autumn to deliver real change.

The Government is considering the Phase 2 report of the Inquiry and has committed to providing an update on its progress by March 2025.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan will speed up the process of making homes safe by focusing on three key objectives:    

*fix buildings faster: expedite remediation of higher-risk buildings with clear deadlines and penalties for non-compliance    

*identify all unsafe buildings: identify all buildings with unsafe cladding through advanced data assessments and the creation of a comprehensive building register   

*support residents: protect residents from the financial burdens of remediation and improve their experience throughout the process

Too slow for too long  

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “More than seven years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, thousands of people across this country have been left living in homes with dangerous cladding. The pace of remediation has been far too slow for far too long. We are taking decisive action to right this wrong and make homes safe. Our Remediation Acceleration Plan will ensure those responsible for making buildings safe deliver the change residents need and deserve.”

Building Safety Minister Alex Norris added: “Every resident deserves to feel safe in their home. By setting a clear timeline and firm deadlines, this announcement is a major step towards ensuring every building is made safe. Our Remediation Acceleration plan will fix buildings faster, identify all buildings with unsafe cladding and support vulnerable residents.”  

Norris concluded: “This move underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding residents and holding those responsible to account. We will not hesitate to actively pursue the owners of buildings who refuse to act.”

Publication of the Remediation Acceleration Plan coincided with a debate in Parliament on the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report. Announcements made during the debate included the introduction of a continuous review process for statutory guidance to the Building Regulations covering fire safety and building design by the Building Safety Regulator.

Additionally, the way in which the Building Regulations guidance is produced, updated and communicated to the construction industry will be reviewed, emphasising the need for clarity and accountability in ensuring building safety.

The announcement follows on from letters sent by the Deputy Prime Minister to organisations responsible for fixing residential buildings with unsafe cladding. Alongside new deadlines for the commencement of remediation works on residential buildings, organisations have been told they must take accountability and act now or face the consequences.

The Government is promising to bring forward a long-term social housing remediation strategy early in the New Year. Before then, it will begin to accelerate remediation of social housing by making sure that social landlords who are eligible apply for Government funding do so and increasing targeted support for eligible social landlords who apply so that works can begin sooner.

Response from the NFCC

Responding to the Government’s announcement, National Fire Chiefs Council chair Mark Hardingham observed: “We welcome the Government’s plans to improve building safety and accelerate the removal of unsafe cladding. Addressing these risks is a critical step towards preventing future tragedies and ensuring the safety of people in their homes across the country.”

Hardingham continued: “However, we must acknowledge that achieving the ambitious targets set out in this announcement will face significant practical challenges. Chief among them is the current shortage of skilled and competent professionals required to deliver such a large-scale programme, which is not an issue that can be resolved through funding alone. While committed to supporting this vital work, Fire and Rescue Services are already operating under significant pressure to meet their statutory obligations. Without a co-ordinated and long-term strategy to address workforce shortages and build capacity, there’s a real risk of overstretching the capacity of competent practitioners across the fire and wider construction sectors.”

Further, Hardingham stated: “We are keen to see – and to be part of – a collaborative and systemic response that not only accelerates remediation, but also invests in building the expertise and resilience of the workforce. This will require engagement with all stakeholders including local authorities, industry leaders, and training providers to ensure that we lay a sustainable foundation for safer buildings in the future.”

In conclusion, Hardingham said: “Fire and Rescue Services stand ready to support efforts designed to enhance public safety towards a safer future for all. There needs to be sustainable funding to support them in this work. We would wish to see a comprehensive assessment of resource demands in order to ensure that we can maintain the full breadth of our statutory responsibilities in keeping our communities safe.”

The publication is the latest development in the Association’s campaign to improve building safety standards in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. It also follows the warning it issued last year that annual maintenance inspections were uncovering a significant number of incorrectly installed dampers that did not comply with manufacturers’ instructions.

DW145 covers statutory requirements for the installation, testing and maintenance of fire dampers and smoke control dampers including clients’ legal obligations to ensure their fire safety systems comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England and Wales and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The publication entitled DW145: Fire Dampers and Leakage Guide to Good Practice for Installation, Design and Selection, Inspection and Maintenance also explains the crucial role played by the penetration seal in ensuring the overall fire stopping integrity of an installation.

It also covers other critical issues, among them maintenance teams being able to easily find and access dampers for testing and repair, and also why designers and installers should seek expert advice from damper manufacturers.

Identified as a priority

Revising this guidance was identified as a priority by the Association in the wake of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry because of the important part dampers play in overall building fire safety strategies.

“Since the Grenfell Tower disaster the building services industry has, quite rightly, faced increasingly intensive scrutiny,” said Kevin Morrissey, chair of BESA’s Technical Committee. “As a result, the Association has been urgently reviewing its technical guidance and supporting this work with the provision of targeted training to ensure everyone involved in the design, installation and maintenance of fire dampers and smoke dampers is aware of what’s needed to keep people and property safe.”

Morrissey continued: “Unsurprisingly, UK fire authorities are taking an in-depth interest in this aspect of building safety. For their part, clients are now more aware of their legal and moral obligations. In turn, this places greater pressure on damper and ductwork contractors to provide evidence of their competence and ability to comply with legislation.”

As a result, the revisions to DW145 clarify several critical fire safety issues, including the importance of systems being designed to allow easy access such that maintenance teams can carry out testing, fault finding investigations and repairs. It also highlights the need for care and consideration throughout the specification and installation works and that, if in doubt, designers and installers should seek expert advice from manufacturers.

Following instructions

BESA added that the revised guidance emphasises the importance of following manufacturers’ instructions, but also addresses some of the issues associated with those instructions that can cause confusion. For example, some are clearer than others on the best methods for hanging and supporting dampers.

The Association said that DW145 provides a quality benchmark for the industry by outlining some examples of typical installations to further ease compliance with safety requirements. It also stresses that the system designer should provide a schedule that includes the specific damper asset reference associated with factors such as the wall type, damper classification, boundary construction and specific installation method.

DW145 also advises that each installation should be further supported by photographic evidence of each stage of the install, for example from hanging/supporting the damper through to the addition of the fire stopping. According to BSA, all of these measures will give peace of mind to clients and reduce contractors’ level of risk.

“The Technical Committee members behind the revision, who gave up so much of their valuable time and expertise, have done the industry a great service,” concluded Morrissey. “This document delivers a new industry benchmark for the installation, testing and maintenance of fire and smoke dampers. It can now take its place as a key part of the increasingly rigorous and more professional fire safety regime designed to protect building occupants and minimise future risk to life and property.”

Awareness training

The BESA Academy is also offering a short online course on Fire and Smoke Damper Awareness, which itself is based on the updated standard. As well as covering the core elements of DW145, including legal obligations under the Fire Safety Order and Best Practice in damper installation, the course provides clarity on the key compliance standards for safety systems and fire stopping integrity.

It also explains the guidance on installation techniques and damper placements and will help participants avoid common installation errors. The training also covers documentation Best Practice, including how to provide photographic evidence and asset referencing.

The DW145 course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Non-BESA members can purchase a DW145 bundle, which includes the new publication and free access to the training. BESA members can download DW145 for free and receive a discounted rate of £44 (plus VAT) for the course.

The revised and updated DW145 guidance can be downloaded here

Photograph: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

While the changes are a positive step, according to the Business Sprinkler Alliance they don’t go far enough in terms of protecting all vulnerable individuals in existing care homes and also other types of specialised housing.

In the statement from England, the (then) building safety minister Rushanara Ali MP emphasised that “a compassionate society protects its most vulnerable”. That view emerged in the wake of the comment made by Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick who said the definition of a higher-risk building should be reviewed and not be based on building height rather than the presence of vulnerable people.

The Business Sprinkler Alliance agrees with this sentiment, but contends that the revision to the guidance to include new care homes falls short of fully embracing this principle.

Significant gap

Tom Roche, secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, stated: “While we welcome the inclusion of sprinklers in new care homes, we must recognise that this regulatory change leaves a significant gap in terms of protection for other vulnerable individuals. The new changes do not apply to existing care homes, nor do they cover assisted living accommodation or other buildings housing vulnerable individuals.”

The devastating fire at the Beechmere Retirement Village in Crewe (pictured) back in 2019 was a startling example of the risks faced by vulnerable residents in buildings not classified as care homes. “Beechmere was an extra care living accommodation, not technically a care home, yet it housed elderly individuals, many of whom required assistance,” asserted Roche. “The unsprinklered and timber-framed building was completely destroyed by fire, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive fire safety measures in all types of accommodation for vulnerable people.”

The Business Sprinkler Alliance emphasises that the current situation creates an inconsistency whereby people with similar risk characteristics to those in care homes receive differing levels of fire safety provisions. This discrepancy is particularly concerning given the growing popularity of assisted living and retirement village concepts.

“We’ve observed that, following serious incidents like the Beechmere fire, operators often take retroactive measures, such as retrofitting sprinklers in similar extra care facilities. However, we believe it’s crucial to implement these life-saving systems proactively, rather than on a reactive basis.”

Expanding the scope

The Business Sprinkler Alliance is supporting calls on the Government to expand the scope of the new revised guidance and to go further to include all forms of accommodation housing vulnerable individuals, among them assisted living facilities, retirement villages and specialised housing.

The risk of fire is not confined to certain height thresholds or because we use different terms for similar premises. The Alliance argues that this expansion would truly embody the compassionate society that former building safety minister Ali envisions.

“Sprinkler systems not only control or extinguish fires quickly, in turn minimising damage and fire spread, but they also provide crucial additional time for residents to evacuate or be helped to evacuate, which is really important for those with mobility issues,” added Roche. “Further, these systems offer peace of mind for residents, staff and families, knowing that extra safety measures are in place.”

As the construction industry and care sector continue to evolve, the Business Sprinkler Alliance urges policymakers to close this protective gap, ensuring that all vulnerable individuals – regardless of their specific living arrangements – benefit from the highest standards of fire safety.

The Business Sprinkler Alliance believes that sprinkler systems should be considered more readily as a viable option right across the built environment, whether the location is a hospital, school, a retail or leisure facility or a commercial/industrial building.

*Further information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance is available online at www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org

Part of Element Materials Technology, Warringtonfire is set to launch its new flagship fire facility in just over one month’s time. With construction now finished and building handover completed, the £24 million facility will be in operation from 2 January 2025.

Ahead of the launch, over 100 fire safety professionals and customers of Warringtonfire were given access to the laboratory on 12 and 13 November.

Across four separate sessions over the two days, attendees were shown the magnitude of one of Europe’s largest fire testing laboratories through a guided tour, along with presentations and a networking event where guests could meet Warringtonfire’s team of technical experts.

Customers were able to preview the cutting-edge fire testing equipment and furnaces, assess Warringtonfire’s enhanced capabilities and also learn all about the client welfare amenities offered by the facility.

Peter Barker, technical policy manager at Warringtonfire, also briefed visitors on the evolution of Warringtonfire’s services designed to address the industry’s growing fire resistance testing needs during a presentation entitled ‘Construction Products and the Changing Regulatory Landscape’. Delegates were able to learn how the new legislation is shaping the regulatory landscape for construction products and influencing conformity assessment activities within the testing, inspection and certification industry.

Fantastic success

Leigh Hill, director of Element’s Built Environment Europe division, said: “The Customer Open Days have been a fantastic success. It was a great opportunity for our customers to meet the team and learn more about our operations. We really showcased the scale and efficiency of the Birchwood Park site.”

Hill continued: “Demonstrating our broad service offering and multidisciplinary expertise, our testing, technical and certification experts provided collaborative answers to customer questions. This is something our clients can continue to benefit from since the three teams are now located under one roof. This set-up affords us the ability to deliver a streamlined end-to-end process to a higher standard with the latest technology.”

Further, Hill noted: “Now that construction has finished, the team will be focusing on UKAS validation and accreditation for its five furnaces and operations. While this is taking place, we are gradually transitioning our fire resistance team from the Holmesfield Road laboratory to Birchwood Park as they prepare for the launch. We have been able to fill 50 further positions as part of the expansion, among them maintenance engineer, technical officer, and technical assistant roles.”

Attendee feedback

Attendee feedback following the Customer Open Days has been extremely positive. Shaun Davidson, director at SGD Fire Protection Ltd (the specialist passive fire protection business), said: “We’re incredibly lucky to have such a world-class facility right here in the North West.”

Tom Owen, technical engineer at Etex, observed: “First impressions of the new facility overall are very positive. The sheer scale of the site was impressive. The layout ias very intuitive. I didn’t expect that three tests could run simultaneously, while the possible maximum number of tests that can be conducted is staggering.”

Leigh Hill concluded: “The positive response from customers is very reassuring. We have meticulously designed the new laboratory with clients as the top priority, intentionally incorporating confidential spray booths, each with its own temperature-controlled environment, as well as custom-made steel screens that can be attached to test preparation bays in order to protect Intellectual Property. We’ve also opted for dedicated client viewing areas to ensure privacy and are in the process of trialling additional confidentiality measures to further safeguard sensitive information.”

In order to ensure that the laboratory acts not just as a testing site, but also as an environment wherein meetings can be conducted, Warringtonfire has added ample amenities for employees and customers. These include 175 parking bays and ten charging stations for electric vehicles.

The site also features accessible welfare facilities including shower and locker rooms, five meeting rooms, three conference spaces and a lift for access to platform viewing areas.

*For more information about Warringtonfire’s Birchwood Park laboratory visit www.warringtonfire.com/about-warringtonfire/warrington-site-relocation-and-expansion

The revised standard, entitled ‘Railway Applications – Fire Protection on Railway Vehicles – Requirements for Fire Behaviour of Materials and Components’, has been effective in the UK since August last year. However, it’s yet to be written into the National Technical Specification Notice (NTSN), which is a set of standards that define how the UK’s rail system should be designed, built, operated and maintained as mandated by the Department for Transport.

As a result, many UK manufacturers continue to test under the older BS EN 45545-2:2013+A1:2015 as the updated version has not yet been mandated through the NTSN. In contrast, the European Union has established a clear transition deadline, allowing manufacturers to use the older standard until 1 January 2026, after which point compliance with the updated standard will be compulsory.

With the UK yet to confirm when the updated standard will be officially mandated, Warringtonfire (itself part of Element Materials Technology and a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services) is urging manufacturers to make the switch proactively.

Facing uncertainty

Dennis Tuyogon, lead analytical chemist at Warringtonfire and a member of the FSH/19 (Fire Precautions in Railway Vehicles) Technical Committee, has emphasised the importance of adoption.

Tuyogon explained: “While the European Union has provided a clear timeline, UK manufacturers face uncertainty as the updated standard has not yet been incorporated into the UK rail standards. By adopting the updated 2020 standard, they will fully meet current UK and European Union requirements, thereby making the transition straightforward and ensuring compliance with the latest regulatory expectations.”

Tuyogon continued: “Waiting for this mandate could lead to costly re-testing as products tested under the older standard may no longer comply when the new standard is enforced. Transitioning now not only ensures industry products deliver safe and effective fire resistance and compliance, but also provides a competitive advantage, demonstrating a commitment to current Best Practice.”

Rail Industry Seminar

In order to support (and raise awareness of) the impending transition, Warringtonfire held its first Rail Industry Seminar on 15 October, duly bringing together customers, train manufacturers, Trade Associations and rail engineering professionals to discuss the implications of the updated standard.

Building on this success, Warringtonfire plans to continue hosting quarterly seminars, with the next event scheduled for February 2025, whereby experts will provide detailed insights into the new regulations and their impact on the rail industry. This move highlights Warringtonfire’s ongoing commitment to rail safety and its active role in shaping industry standards.

The 2020 revisions to BS EN 45545-2 incorporate updates to test methods, lessons learned from prior applications and editorial improvements, ensuring the standard reflects the very latest industry knowledge.

Flammability, smoke density and toxicity

When it comes to rail industry applications, Warringtonfire provides fire testing, inspection and certification for flammability, smoke density and toxicity testing in the following areas:

*Smoke and Toxicity Assessment: BS EN 17084:2018+AC:2020 – Method 1 (T10.01, T10.02, T10.04 and T11.01)

*Spread of Flame: ISO 5658-2:2006+A1:2011

*Cone Calorimeter: ISO 5660-1 (2015+A1:2019)

*Smoke Generation: ISO 5659-2:2017

*Gaseous Effluents Analysis: NF X 70-100/BS EN 17084:2018 – Method 2

*Burning Behaviour by Oxygen Index: BS EN ISO 4589-2:2017

*Further information is available online at https://www.warringtonfire.com/testing-services/reaction-to-fire-testing/rail-fire-testing

In a landscape where adhering to British Standards is both a moral imperative and essential for Best Practice, the FIA Compliance portal provides fire safety professionals, business owners and industry stakeholders alike with a streamlined and user-friendly solution.

From detector selection through to commissioning, the FIA Compliance portal ensures comprehensive and up-to-date documentation, helping users to remain compliant with key standards including BS 5839-1.

The portal not only simplifies the certification process, but also enhances business efficiency by providing the digital tools that organisations require when time, resources or budget might be at a premium. Companies can generate standardised documentation, create British Standards-compliant checklists and issue professional digital certificates.

The portal’s dynamic notification system also keeps users informed of regulatory changes, ensuring they remain one step ahead in what’s now a rapidly evolving industry.

Driving excellence in fire safety

“The FIA Compliance portal represents our dedication to advancing fire safety by simplifying compliance and championing competency as part of the golden thread of information,” affirmed Chris Tilley, commercial manager at the FIA.

Tilley added: “We recognise the challenges businesses face with complex compliance requirements. This new platform offers a clear and accessible path to certification and enhanced industry credibility.”

The portal is backed by the FIA’s expertise and technical guidance. Whether accessed online or through bespoke on-site consultancy, it caters to professionals at all levels, including technicians, installers and business owners.

Featuring smart templates for management systems and technical reports with built-in verification calculations, the platform supports users in maintaining high standards across all fire safety operations.

Trusted partner in compliance

At the forefront of fire safety, the FIA represents more than 1,200 members and shapes industry standards and legislation. The FIA Compliance portal is the latest initiative in the Trade Association’s mission to safeguard lives and property by making compliance more accessible and manageable for businesses of all sizes.

This portal is described as “an essential tool” for companies seeking to achieve BAFE SP203-1 certification, which is critical for compliance with BS 5839-1. By using the FIA Compliance portal, businesses can enhance their reputation for safety and reliability, while also building trust among stakeholders and clients.

*Businesses ready to streamline their compliance processes and embrace the highest fire safety standards can visit the FIA’s website at www.fia.uk.com to explore the FIA Compliance portal and register their interest.

Alternatively, call 020 3166 5002 or send an e-mail to fiacompliance@fia.uk.com

The protection team at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service acted on intelligence that the loft space at the premises was being used to house several of the establishment’s employees.

A designated fire protection officer inspected the premises and found evidence of that practice, as well as other deficiencies. The latter included no fire detection system having been installed and inadequate escape and access routes, in turn raising the risk that occupants would not be warned if a fire started and could end up trapped in the property.

The restaurant was served with a Prohibition Notice by the Fire and Rescue Service in April 2023, which prohibited people from sleeping on the premises. The decision was taken to prosecute due to the breaches of fire safety legislation being so severe in nature.

Guilty plea

Pathak was charged with breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – and pleaded guilty to that charge – during a hearing conducted at Northampton Magistrates’ Court (pictured) on 29 October.

Pathak was issued with a Community Order for 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114, as well as costs amounting to £750.

Meeting the standards

Following the hearing, Scott Richards (head of protection at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service) said: “Our fire protection officers acted quickly when they received information that safety was being compromised at these premises. Our primary aim is always to protect people and, where possible, we will work with restaurants and other businesses to make sure they meet the standards required to keep their staff and customers safe.”

Richards continued: “On this occasion, the breaches were so severe that we were left with no option but to prosecute and send a strong message to the owner that it’s unacceptable to put lives at risk.”

Further, Richards noted: “We are happy that the Magistrates’ Court recognised the level of risk involved and sentenced the owner accordingly. This verdict serves as a timely reminder for all businesses that fire safety is incredibly important. There will be consequences for non-compliance.”

The updated guidance, entitled BS 9991:2024 Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Residential Buildings – Code of Practice is due to be published by the UK’s national standards body on 27 November and supersedes BS 9991:2015.

The revisions within were underway ahead of the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel’s Phase 2 final report on 4 September as part of the normal process of updating and revising standards.

While the Grenfell report did not make any specific recommendations for changes to BS 9991, it has of course emphasised once again the clear importance of comprehensive and up-to-date building safety standards.

The revised British Standard provides recommendations and guidance on the provision of measures to control (or otherwise mitigate) the effects of fire and aims to achieve an adequate standard of life safety in the event of fire in a building. The document has also been designed to provide a level of protection for property and businesses against the impact of a fire in close proximity, either in residential buildings or those within the same building or building complex.

Consensus-based ‘mid-point’

As a British Standard, BS 9991:2024 is expected to be suitable for use across the whole of the UK.

What’s more, this latest good practice guidance has been designed to provide a consensus-based ‘mid-point’ between the different regulations and supporting statutory guidance here in the UK. This includes Approved Document B in England and Wales, Technical Handbook 2 for Scotland and Technical Booklet E that serves Northern Ireland).

Revised standards generally include changes made due to new evidence or information relating to a topic. In this case, and to ensure a high standard of fire safety, some of the updates include the expansion of its scope to encompass residential care homes, as well as the expansion of guidance relating to evacuation lifts and revised height limits for sprinkler installation and single-stair buildings.

In addition to improving fire safety, the changes have been made to build trust among key stakeholders, among them building occupants, owners and regulatory bodies.

Reflecting the evidence

Scott Steedman, director-general for standards at the BSI, said: “The Grenfell tragedy, the subsequent Public Inquiry and the Phase 2 final report have brought the issue of building safety into focus for the whole sector and beyond. It’s critical that we ensure all standards reflect the latest evidence.”

Steedman added: “The updated BS 9991 guides the design, installation and maintenance of fire safety systems in residential buildings, ensuring that effective escape routes and fire safety measures are in place to protect occupants and enhance overall safety.”

He concluded: “This new edition has been fully revised, taking into account extensive changes within industry, not to mention the increased focus on robust fire safety measures. The BSI remains extremely grateful to the panel of experts who worked on this and is thankful for their dedication over the last few years.”

FSH/14 Fire Precautions in Buildings is the Technical Committee responsible for BS 9991:2024. It includes technical experts as well as regulators and representatives from the Fire and Rescue Service.

Additional details concerning FSH/14 can be found on the BSI’s Standards Development Portal at https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/committees/50001297

Given the importance of this topic, the public consultation process gave rise to upwards of 1,800 comments, all of which were individually considered and debated.

*For further information on the upcoming BS 9991:2024 visit https://pages.bsigroup.com/l/35972/2024-11-07/3t8c154