Fire Safety

16 articles

• Fire Extinguishers: Classes, Colour Codes, Placement & BS 5306 Inspection
  Fire extinguisher selection: fire classes A/B/C/D/F, BS EN 3 colour coding, wet chemical mandatory for Class F commercial kitchens, BS 5306-3 annual service requirements
• Fire Stopping: Penetration Seals, Cavity Barriers & Intumescent Products
  Fire stopping: intumescent collars for plastic pipes, mineral wool and sealant for cable penetrations, cavity barriers at party walls
• How Should Fire Doors Be Installed and What Are the Standards?
  FD30/FD60/FD30S installation: gap tolerances (3mm sides, 8mm bottom), intumescent strips, self-closers, BM TRADA/Certifire certification, 10 common installation failures
• Intumescent Seals & Collars: Door Seals, Pipe Penetrations & BS 476 Testing
  Intumescent seals and fire stopping: FD30/FD60 door strip installation, pipe penetration collars (plastic pipes only), BS EN 1366-3 certification, fire pillows for cable penetrations
• Means of Escape: Protected Stairways, Inner Rooms & Building Regs Part B
  Means of escape: protected stairways, inner rooms needing escape windows, Approved Document B travel distances
• Smoke & Heat Alarm Regulations: BS 5839-6 Grades, Categories & Positioning
  Smoke alarm regulations: BS 5839-6 Grade D Category LD2 minimum in existing dwellings, interlinked requirements, heat detectors in kitchens
• What Are the Fire Safety Requirements for External Cladding Systems?
  Post-Grenfell cladding regulations: A1/A2 classification, 18m/11m thresholds, EWS1 process, PAS 9980:2022, Building Safety Act 2022 leaseholder protections
• What are the grades and categories of fire alarm systems, and what does BS 5839 require?
  Fire alarm grades and categories: BS 5839-1 (commercial) A–F grades/M/L/P categories, BS 5839-6 (domestic) Grade D LD2 minimum for new dwellings per Part B, interlinked mains-powered alarms with battery backup
• What Are the Requirements for Fire Evacuation Plans in UK Buildings?
  RRO Article 15 requirements: simultaneous/stay-put/phased evacuation strategies, PEEPs, fire warden duties, drill frequency, signage per BS 5499, high-rise vs commercial differences
• What Are the Requirements for Fire-Rated Glazing in UK Buildings?
  E (integrity) vs EI (integrity+insulation) glazing ratings, test standards BS EN 1364/13501, Georgian wired vs modern borosilicate, framing and certification requirements
• What Does the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Require?
  RRO 2005 Article-by-Article breakdown: responsible person duties, general fire precautions, means of escape, maintenance obligations, enforcement and penalties
• What Is a Fire Risk Assessment and When Is One Required?
  When a fire risk assessment is required, who must carry one out, the 5-step process, and documentation requirements under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• What Is Fire Compartmentation and How Should It Be Maintained?
  Fire compartmentation principles, maximum compartment sizes, cavity barriers, sealing service penetrations with intumescent products per Approved Document B and BS 9999
• What Is Passive Fire Protection and What Products Are Used?
  Active vs passive fire protection distinction, REI ratings, structural steel protection methods, intumescent product types, third-party certification (LPCB, BBA, FIRAS)
• When Are Sprinkler Systems Required and How Are They Installed?
  When sprinklers are mandatory (Wales all new dwellings, England >11m), BS EN 12845 (commercial) and BS 9251:2021 (residential), system types, head types, maintenance requirements
• When Is a Waking Watch Required and What Are the Obligations?
  When waking watches are required (high-rise with inadequate detection), NFCC guidance, staffing/patrol requirements, transition to common alarm systems, BSA 2022 leaseholder obligations