Fire resistance. Appendix E. E.1 Fire resistance. Appendix. (A copy of this Appendix is available on /)

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1 Fire resistance (A copy of this is available on /).1 Fire resistance The overall aim of fire safety precautions is to ensure that: all corridor doors shall meet the requirements for fire safety as described in Building Regulations Part B Fire safety (see Part 2); all doors shall satisfy the Requirements of Building Regulation Part B Fire safety (see Part 4); a satisfactory means of giving an alarm of fire is available; a satisfactory means of escape for persons in the event of fire in a building is available (see Part B1); external walls and roofs have adequate resistance to the spread of fire over the external envelope; fire stopping should be flexible to prevent a rigid contact between the pipe and the floor (see Parts 3 and 4); if a fire stop is required in the cavity between frames, then it should either be flexible or only be fixed to one frame (see Part 2); if there is an existing lath and plaster ceiling it should be retained as long as it satisfies Building Regulation Part B Fire safety (see Part ); penetrations through a separating floor by ducts and pipes should have fire protection to satisfy Building Regulation Part B Fire safety (see Parts 3 and 4); that fire spread over the internal linings of buildings is inhibited (see Part B2); the ceiling void and roof space detail can only be used where the Requirements of Building Regulation Part B Fire safety can also be satisfied (see Part ); the junction between the separating wall and the roof should be filled with a flexible closer which is also suitable as a fire stop (see Part 2); the spread of fire from one building to another is restricted (see Part B4); the unseen spread of fire and smoke in concealed spaces in buildings is inhibited (see Part B3); the stability of buildings is ensured in the event of fire; there are facilities in buildings to assist firefighters in the saving of life of people in and around buildings (see Part B5); there is satisfactory access for fire appliances to buildings;

2 878 there is a sufficient degree of fire separation within buildings and between adjoining buildings; where a staircase performs a separating function it shall conform to Building Regulation Part B Fire safety (see Part 4). Many of the requirements are, of course, closely interlinked. For example, there is a close link between the provisions for means of escape (B1) and those for the control of fire growth (B2), fire containment (B3) and facilities for the fire service (B5). Similarly there are links between B3 and the provisions for controlling external fire spread (B4), and between (B3) and (B5). Interaction between these different requirements should be recognized where variations in the standard of provision are being considered. Factors that should be taken into account include: the ability of a structure to resist the spread of fire and smoke; the anticipated probability of a fire occurring; the anticipated fire severity; the consequential danger to people in and around the building. Measures that could be incorporated include: availability of powers to require staff training in fire safety and fire routines, e.g. under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, or registration or licensing procedures; control of the rate of growth of a fire; consideration of the availability of any continuing control under other legis - lation that could ensure continued maintenance of such systems; early fire warning by an automatic detection and warning system; facilities to assist the fire service; provision of smoke control; the adequacy of means to prevent fire; the adequacy of the structure to resist the effects of a fire; the degree of fire containment; fire separation between buildings or parts of buildings; the standard of active measures for fire extinguishment or control; the standard of means of escape; management. The design of fire safety in hospitals is covered by Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 81 Fire precautions in new hospitals (revised 1996). Building Regulations are intended to ensure that a reasonable standard of life safety is provided, in case of fire. The protection of property, including the building itself, may require additional measures, and insurers will in general seek their own higher standards, before accepting the insurance risk. Guidance is given in the LPC Design guide for the fire protection of buildings. Guidance for assisting protection in Civil and Defence states is given in the Crown Fire Standards published by the Property Advisers to the Civil state (PAC).

3 Fire resistance 879 Fire safety engineering Fire safety engineering can provide an alternative approach to fire safety and in certain circumstances it could be the only practical way to achieve a satisfactory standard of fire safety in some buildings. Fire safety engineering is also suitable for solving problems concerning the design of the building, which although meeting the requirements of the Regulations is still problematic. Factors that should be taken into account include: ability of a structure to resist the spread of fire and smoke; anticipated probability of a fire occurring; anticipated fire severity; consequential danger to people in and around the building. Many processes are available for consideration such as: are facilities available that will assist fire and rescue services? are smoke controls provided and are they adequate? are there appropriate existing methods for controlling and extinguishing fires? are these methods regularly reviewed and where necessary repaired/ replaced? How adequate is the current means of preventing fire? how appropriate is the designed means of escape? is the fire separation between buildings and/or parts of buildings appropriate? is the rate of growth of the fire controllable? is the structure capable of resisting the effects of fire? is there an automatic early fire warning system in place? to what degree can the fire be contained? is there an existing process for training staff in fire safety and fire routines? do Top Management endorse the requirement for fire safety? Risk assessment The assessment and design of means of escape shall take into account: the nature of the building structure; the use of the building; the potential of fire spread through the building; and the standard of fire safety management proposed. B1.ii Fire risk analysis Part B now includes a requirement for the responsible person (i.e. the person carrying out work to a building) to make available to the owner (other than

4 880 houses occupied as single private dwellings) fire safety information concerning the design and construction of the building or extension plus details of the services, fittings and equipment that have been provided in order that they (when required under the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1541) may complete a fire risk analysis. Although these requirements are applicable to premises whilst in operation, it would be useful for the designers of a building to carry out a preliminary fire risk assessment as part of the design process. If a preliminary risk assessment is produced, it can be used as part of the Building Regulations submission and can assist the fire safety enforcing authority in providing advice at an early stage as to what, if any, additional provisions may be necessary when the building is first occupied..1.1 The requirement Means of escape There shall be an early warning fire alarm system for persons in the building. There shall be sufficient escape routes that are suitably located to enable persons to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. Safety routes shall be protected from the effects of fire. In an emergency, the occupants of any part of the building shall be able to escape without any external assistance. (Approved Document B1) Internal fire spread (linings) The spread of flame over the internal linings of the building shall be restricted. The heat released from the internal linings shall be restricted. (Approved Document B2) Internal fire spread (structure) Dependent on the use of the building, its size and the location of the element of construction: loadbearing elements of a building structure shall be capable of withstanding the effects of fire for an appropriate period without loss of stability; the building shall be subdivided by elements of fire-resisting construction into compartments; all openings in fire-separating elements shall be suitably protected in order to maintain the integrity of the element (i.e. the continuity of the fire separation);

5 Fire resistance 881 any hidden voids in the construction shall be sealed and subdivided to inhibit the unseen spread of fire and products of combustion. (Approved Document B3) xternal fire spread xternal walls shall be constructed so as to have a low rate of heat release and thereby be capable of reducing the risk of ignition from an external source and the spread of fire over their surfaces. The amount of unprotected area in the sides of the building shall be restricted so as to limit the amount of thermal radiation that can pass through the wall. The roof shall be constructed so that the risk of spread of flame and/or fire penetration from an external fire source is restricted. (Approved Document B4) Access facilities for the fire service There shall be sufficient means of external access to enable fire appliances to be brought near to the building for effective use. There shall be sufficient means of access into and within the building for firefighting personnel to affect search and rescue and fight fire. The building shall be provided with sufficient internal fire mains and other facilities to assist firefighters in their tasks. The building shall be provided with adequate means for venting heat and smoke from a fire in a basement. (Approved Document B4).1.2 Meeting the requirements Fire resistance An element of construction shall provide: resistance to collapse; resistance to fire penetration; resistance to the transfer of excessive heat. B3 The purpose in providing the structure with fire resistance is: to minimize the risk to the occupants; to reduce the risk to firefighters; to reduce the danger to people in the vicinity of the building.

6 882 Fire resistance standard lements such as structural frames, beams, columns, internal and external loadbearing walls, floor structures and gallery structures should have at least the fire resistance shown in Part B, A, Table Al. The fire resistance of an element of structure that supports or gives stability to another element of structure shall not be less than the other element. B3 4.2 (V1) B3 7.2 (V2) B3 4.3 (V1) B3 7.3 (V2) Loft conversions The floor(s), both old and new, shall have the full 30 minute standard of fire resistance shown in Part B A, Table Al unless: only one storey is being added; the new storey contains no more than two habitable rooms; and the total area of the new storey is less than 50 m 2. In those places where the floor only separates rooms (and not circulation spaces), a modified 30 minute standard of fire resistance may be applied. Where the conversion of an existing roof space (such as a loft conversion to a two-storey house) means that a new storey is going to be added, then the stairway will need to be protected with fire-resisting doors and partitions. Flats B3 4.7 (V1) B3 4.7 (V1) B1 2.20b If the existing building has timber floors and these are to be retained, the requirements for fire resistance may be difficult to meet. In these cases, provided that the means of escape conforms to Part B Section 3 and are adequately protected. Then: those parts of the building that are no more than three storeys high shall need to have a 30 minute standard of fire resistance; if the altered building has four or more storeys, then the full standard of fire resistance (as described in A to Part B) would be required. B (V2)

7 Fire resistance 883 The amount of fire resistance provided by the building structure and other elements of construction is determined by reference to either: BS 476 (National classification); Commission Decision 2000/367/C of 3 May 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/1061C (uropean classification); BS N :2003; BS N :2005; BS N :2007. See also A to Part B for Tables setting out minimum periods of fire resistance etc. scape routes Planning escape routes Common corridors that connect two or more storey exits should be subdivided by a self-closing fire door with, if necessary, an associated fire-resisting screen. B (V2) Note: Self-closing fire doors should be positioned so that smoke will not affect access to more than one stairway. Protection of escape routes Generally, a 30 minute standard is sufficient for the protection of means of escape. (Details of fire resistance test criteria and standards of performance are contained in A to Part B). xternal escape stairs xternal escape stairs should meet the following provisions: B1 5.2 (V2) where an external escape stair is provided: all doors giving access to the stair should be fire-resisting; any part of the external envelope of the building within 1800 mm of (and 9 m vertically below) the flights and landings of an external escape stair should be of fireresisting construction (see Figure 1 ); any part of the building (including doors) within 1800 mm of the escape route shall be protected by fireresisting construction. B (a, b and c) xternal escape stairs greater than 6 m in vertical dextent shall B be protected from the effects of adverse weather conditions.

8 884 Note: Glazing in any fire-resisting construction should be fire-resisting and fixed shut. No fire resistance required for door 1100 mm zone above top landing 6 m max height without weather protection 1800 mm zone of fire-resisiting construction at side of stair Fire door Window with 30 minute fire-resisting construction Figure 1 Fire resistance of areas adjacent to external stairs Dwelling-houses with one floor more than 4.5 m above ground level The dwelling-house may either have a protected stairway which: extends to the final exit (see Figure 2 (a)); or gives access to at least two escape routes at ground level, each delivering to final exits and separated from each other by fire-resisting construction and fire doors (see Figure 2 (b)); or the top floor can be separated from the lower storeys by fire-resisting construction and be provided with its own alternative escape route leading to its own final exit. B1 2.6 (V1)

9 Fire resistance 885 (a) fd fd fd fd Protected stairway (b) Final exit Final exit 1 PLAN Stair separated from landing to allow access to alternative exit fd fd Storey over 7.5 m 4.5 m fd Final exit 2 Key Key fd Fire door fd Fire door 30 minute fire-resisting construction 30 minute fire-resisting construction Alternative escape route (see ) Alternative arrangements for final exits Figure 2 Final exits and fire separation Fire separation in houses with more than one floor over 4.5 m above ground level Flats with a floor more than 4.5 m above ground level Where any flat has an alternative exit and the habitable rooms do not have direct access to the entrance hall (see Figure 2 ): the bedrooms should be separated from the living accommodation by fire-resisting construction and fire doors); and the alternative exit should be located in the part of the flat containing the bedroom(s). B (V2) Residential care homes Generally, in care homes for the elderly it is reasonable to assume that at least a proportion of the residents will need some assistance to evacuate.

10 886 Bedrooms should be enclosed in fire-resisting construction with fire resisting doors and every corridor serving bedrooms should be a protected corridor. B (V2) Shopping complexes Part B is primarily intended to cover shops that are contained in a single separate building. If a shop forms part of a complex, such as a covered mall then the requirements for fire resistance, walls separating shop units, surfaces and boundary distances will probably be different (see Sections 5 and 6 of BS :1991 for further guidance). Ancillary accommodation Ancillary accommodation such as: day rooms; chemical stores; cleaners rooms; clothes storage; disposal rooms; kitchens; laundry rooms; linen stores; plant rooms; smoking rooms (now non-existent in view of government legislation); staff changing and locker rooms; and store rooms; B (V2) should be enclosed by fire-resisting construction. Portal frames Where a portal framed building is near a relevant boundary, the external wall near the boundary may need fire resistance to restrict the spread of fire between buildings. B (V2)

11 Fire resistance 887 Access lobbies and corridors Any such protected exit passageway should have the same standard of fire resistance and lobby protection as the stairway it serves. Balconies and flat roofs Any flat roof that forms part of a means of escape should: be part of the same building from which escape is being made; lead to a storey exit or external escape route; and provide 30 minutes fire resistance (see A, Table Al of Approved Document B for fire resistance figures for elements of structure etc.). Note: If a balcony or flat roof is provided for escape purposes guarding may be required (see Approved Document K Protection). B (V1) B1 2.7 (V2) B (V1) Ceilings The need for cavity barriers in some concealed floor or roof spaces can be reduced by using a fire resisting ceiling below the cavity. B2 3.6 (V1) B2 6.6 (V2) Suspended ceilings A suspended, fire-protected ceiling should meet the requirements in Table 1: for further details see Part B, A, Table A3. Table 1 Limitations on fire-protecting suspended ceilings Height of building or separated part (m) Type of floor Provision for fire resistance of floor (minutes) Less than 18 Not compartment 60 or less Compartment Less than or more Any 60 or less No limit Any More than 60

12 888 Cavity barriers Cavity barriers should be provided at the junction between an internal cavity wall and any assembly which forms a fire-resisting barrier. very cavity barrier should be constructed to provide at least 30 minutes fire resistance. Openings in a cavity barrier should be limited to those for: doors which have at least 30 minutes fire resistance; the passage of pipes which meet the provisions in Part P Section 7; the passage of cables or conduits containing one or more cables; openings fitted with a suitably mounted automatic fire damper; ducts which are fire-resisting or are fitted with a suitably mounted automatic fire damper where they pass through the cavity barrier. B3 9.3 (V2) B3 6.5 (V1) B (V2) B3 6.8 (V1) B (V2) Compartment walls and compartment floors very compartment wall and compartment floor should: form a complete barrier to fire between the compartments they separate; and have the appropriate fire resistance as indicated in A, Tables Al and A2. Junctions between a compartment floor and an external wall that has no fire resistance (such as a curtain wall) should be restrained at floor level to reduce the movement of the wall away from the floor when exposed to fire. B2 8.20a (V2) B3 5.6 (V1) B2 8.20b (V2) B3 5.6 (V1) B (V2)

13 Fire resistance 889 Junction of compartment wall or compartment floor with other walls At the junction of a compartment floor with an external wall that has no fire resistance (such as a curtain wall) the external wall should be restrained at floor level to reduce the movement of the wall away from the floor when exposed to fire. B (V1) Junction of compartment wall with roof A compartment wall should be: taken up to meet the underside of the roof covering B (V1) or deck, with fire-stopping (where necessary) at the wall/roof junction to maintain the continuity of fire resistance; continued across any eaves. B (V2) Openings in compartment walls separating buildings or occupancies Any openings in a compartment wall which is common to two or more buildings should be limited to those for: B (V1) B (V2) a door which is providing means of access in case of fire (and which has the same fire resistance as that required for the wall); the passage of a pipe. All other openings in compartment walls or compartment floors should be limited to those for: doors which have the appropriate fire resistance; the passage of pipes, ventilation ducts, service cables, chimneys, appliance ventilation ducts or ducts encasing one or more flue pipes; refuse chutes of non-combustible construction; atria designed in accordance with BS :1997; and protected shafts (see B V2 for details of the relevant requirements). B (V2)

14 890 xternal walls xternal walls of the building should have sufficient fire resistance to prevent fire spread across the relevant boundary. The external surfaces of walls of dwellings within 1000 mm of the relevant boundary should meet Class 0 (National Class) or Class B-s3,d2 or better (uropean class). For all buildings other than dwellings, they should meet the relevant uropean requirements as shown in Diagram 40 (page 95) of Part B Volume 2. B4 8.1 (V1) B (V2) B4 8.4 (V1) B (V2) Note: Any part of an external wall which has less fire resistance than that shown in Part B, Volume 1, A, Table A2, is considered to be an unprotected area. Fire doors Two fire doors may be fitted in the same opening so that the total fire resistance is the sum of their individual fire resistances, provided that each door is capable of closing the opening. App B 4 (V2) Table 2 Provision for fire doors (dwellings) Position of door Minimum fire resistance of door in terms of integrity (minutes) when tested to BS :1987 Minimum fire resistance of door in terms of integrity (minutes) when tested to the relevant BSN 1634 uropean standard Any door: with a cavity barrier FD between a dwelling-house and a garage forming part of the enclosure to a protected stairway in a single family dwelling-house within any other fire resisting construction in a dwelling-house not described elsewhere in the table FD 30s FD 20 FD 20 30Sa 20 20

15 Fire resistance 891 Notes: (1) Minimum fire resistance for doors in buildings other than dwellings is given in Table B1 (page 134) of Part B Volume 2. (2) BS 8214:1990 gives recommendations for the specification, design, construction, installation and maintenance of fire doors constructed with non-metallic door leaves. Guidance on timber fire-resisting doorsets may be found in Timber fire-resisting doorsets: maintaining performance under the new uropean test standard published by TRADA. Galleries All galleries shall be provided with an alternative exit or, where the gallery floor is not more than 4.5 m above ground level, an emergency egress window (which complies with paragraph 2.8). B (V1) B1 2.8 (V2) If the gallery floor is not provided with an alternative exit or escape window: the gallery should overlook at least 50% of the room below (see Figure 3 ); the distance between the foot of the access stair to the gallery and the door to the room containing the gallery should not exceed 3 m; the distance from the head of the access stair to any point on the gallery should not exceed 7.5 m; and any cooking facilities within a room containing a gallery should either: be enclosed with fire-resisting construction; or be remote from the stair to the gallery. Visible area to be at least 50% of floor area in lower room 7.5 m max 3m max Notes: 1 This diagram does not apply where the gallery is i. provided with an alternative escape route; or ii. provided with an emergency egress window (where the gallery floor is not more than 4.5 m above gound level). 2 Any cooking facilities within a room containing a gallery should either: i. be enclosed with fire-resisting construction; or ii. be remote from the stair to the gallery and positioned such that they do not prejudice the escape from the gallery. Figure 3 Gallery floors with no alternative exit

16 892 Inner rooms Store rooms should be enclosed with fire-resisting construction. B (V2) Openings and fire-stopping Note: Detailed guidance on door openings and fire doors is given in Part B B. very joint, imperfection or opening of a fireseparating element should be protected by sealing or fire-stopping so that the fire resistance of the element is not weakened. B3 7.2 (V1) B (V2) Openings for pipes Unless the pipe is in a protected shaft, all pipes which pass through fire-separating elements should conform to one the three alternatives shown below. Type Requirements Alternative A Alternative B Proprietary seals (any pipe diameter) Pipes with a restricted diameter Provide a proprietary sealing system which has been shown by test to maintain the fire resistance of the wall, floor or cavity barrier Where a proprietary sealing system is not used, fire stopping may be used around the pipe, keeping the opening as small as possible (see Table 3 of Part B Volume 1 for dimension details) Alternative C Sleeving A pipe of lead, aluminium, aluminium alloy, fibre-cement or upvc, with a maximum nominal internal diameter of 160 mm, may be used with a sleeving of noncombustible pipe as shown in Figure 4 Ventilation ducts and flues etc. If a flue or duct passes through a compartment wall or compartment floor, or is built into a compartment wall, each wall of the flue or duct should have a fire resistance of at least half that of the wall or floor (see Figure 5 ). B (V1)

17 Fire resistance 893 Structure Not less than 1000 mm Not less than 1000 mm Pipe specification (b) Sleeve (or pipe) of specification (a) to be in contact with pipe Notes: 1 Make the opening in the structure as small as possible and provide fire-stopping between pipe and structure. Figure 4 Pipes penetrating structure Flue built into compartment wall Compartment wall PLAN In each case flue walls should have a fire resistance at least one half of that required for the compartment wall and be of non-combustible construction. Figure 5 Flues penetrating compartment walls or floors If a flue (or a duct containing flues and/or ventilation duct(s)), passes through a compartment wall or compartment floor, or is built into a compartment wall, each wall of the flue or duct should have a fire resistance of at least half that of the wall or floor. B (V2) Passenger lifts Passenger lifts in dwelling houses which serve any floor more than 4.5 m above ground level should either be located in the enclosure to the protected stairway or be contained in a fire-resisting lift shaft. B1 2.18

18 894 Protected shafts Protected shafts (see Figure 6 ) should: form a complete barrier to fire between the different compartments which the shaft connects; have the appropriate fire resistance given in A, Table A1; and meet the requirements for ventilation and the treatment of openings (see Part B Sections 8.41 and 8.42). B (V2) Protected shafts provide for the movement of people (e.g. stairs, lifts), or for passage of goods, air or services such as pipes or cables between different compartments. The elements enclosing the shaft (unless formed by adjacent external walls) are compartment walls and floors. Figure 6 shows three common examples which illustrate the principles. Compartment wall xternal wall Door Door Door Door Protected shaft A bounded on three sides by compartment walls and on fourth side by an external wall Protected shaft B bounded on four sides by compartment walls Protected shaft C a services duct bounded on four sides by compartment walls Figure 6 Protected shafts An uninsulated glazed screen may be incorporated in the enclosure to a protected shaft between a stair and a lobby or corridor which is entered from the stair provided that: the fire resistance for the stair enclosure is not more than 60 minutes; the glazed screen has at least 30 minutes fire resistance; and the lobby or corridor is enclosed to at least a 30 minute standard (see Figure 7 ). B (V2) Generally speaking, an external wall of a protected shaft does not need to have fire resistance (but see BS :2004 for fire resistance of external walls of firefighting shafts).

19 Fire resistance 895 (a) Wth Corridor (b) Wth Lobby Corridor Protected shaft Glazed screen Lobby Protected shaft Glazed screen Roof coverings Fire resistance to protected shaft of not more than 60 minutes Fire resistance of construction to be at least 30 minutes (including doors) Fire resistance of glazing to be at least 30 minutes (including doors) Figure 7 Uninsulated glazed screen separating protected shaft from lobby or corridor In thatched roofs: the rafters should be overdrawn with construction having not less than 30 minutes fire resistance; a smoke alarm should be installed in the roof space. B (V1) B (V2) Note: See Part B, Volume 1, Table 5 for limitations on roof coverings and Tables 6 and 7 for the limitations on using plastic rooflights and thermoplastic materials. Stairs Where an external escape stair is provided in accordance with paragraph 4.44, it should meet the following provisions: B (V2) all doors giving access to the stair should be fireresisting and self-closing; any part of the external envelope of the building within 1800 mm of (and 9 m vertically below) the flights and landings of an external escape stair should be fire resisting; there is protection by fire-resisting construction for any part of the building within 1800 mm of the escape route from the stair to a place of safety; glazing should also be fire resistant and fixed shut.

20 896 Common stairs Any stair used as a firefighting stair should be at least 1100 mm wide (see Part B V2, C for measurement of width). All common stairs should be situated within a fire-resisting enclosure (i.e. it should be a protected stairway), to reduce the risk of smoke and heat making use of the stair hazardous. In single stair buildings, meters located within the stairway should be enclosed within a secure cupboard which is separated from the escape route with fire-resisting construction. B (V2) B (V2) B (V2) Fire detection and fire alarm systems General All new dwelling-houses should be provided with a BS :2004 Grade D Category LD3 fire detection and fire alarm system. There should be at least one smoke alarm on every storey of a dwelling house. B1 1.3 B An installation and commissioning certificate should be provided when a fire alarm system is installed. Occupants should be provided with information on the use of the equipment and on its maintenance (or guidance on suitable maintenance contractors). The rapid spread of smoke and fumes shall be limited. The design and installation of fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwelling houses shall be in accordance with BS :2004. B B B1.iv B Large houses Large dwelling houses of two storeys (excluding basement storeys) should be provided with a BS :2004 Grade B Category LD3 fire detection and fire alarm system. B1 1.6

21 Fire resistance 897 Large dwelling houses of three or more storeys (excluding basement storeys) should be provided with a BS :2004 Grade A Category LD3 fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with BS :2004 Grade D Category LD3. Fire detectors used in large dwelling houses of three or more storeys (excluding basement storeys) should be sited in accordance with BS :2004 Category L2. B1 1.7 B1 1.7 Material alteration New habitable rooms that are the result of a material alteration and which are above ground floor level (or at ground floor level where no final exit has been provided) shall be equipped with: a fire detection and fire alarm system; smoke alarms (in accordance with paragraphs 1.10 to 1.18) in the circulation spaces. B1 1.8 Sheltered housing Fire detection equipment used in sheltered housing which are overseen by a warden or supervisor, shall be linked to a central monitoring point or alarm receiving centre. B1 1.9 Smoke alarms The provision of smoke alarms shall be based on an assessment of the risk to the occupants in the event of fire. B1.ii Smoke alarms should: B1 1.4 be mains-operated and conform to BS :2000; have a standby power supply such as a rechargeable (or non-rechargeable) battery; be positioned in the circulation spaces between sleeping spaces and places where fires are most like to start (e.g. in kitchens and living rooms). The design and installation of smoke alarms shall be in accordance with BS :2004. B B1 1.10

22 898 There should be at least one smoke alarm on every storey of a dwelling-house. Where the kitchen area is not separated from the stairway or circulation space by a door, there should be a compatible interlinked heat detector or heat alarm in the kitchen, in addition to whatever smoke alarms are needed in the circulation space(s). If more than one alarm is installed they should be linked so that the detection of smoke or heat by one unit operates the alarm signal in all of them. B B B Smoke alarms/detectors should be sited so that: B1 1.15a there is a smoke alarm in the circulation space within 7.5 m of the door to every habitable room; they are ceiling-mounted and at least 300 mm from walls and light fittings; the sensor in ceiling-mounted devices is between 25 mm and 600 mm below the ceiling ( mm in the case of heat detectors or heat alarms). B1 1.15b B1 1.15c Smoke alarms should not be fixed: B over a stair or any other opening between floors; next to or directly above heaters or air-conditioning B outlets; in bathrooms, showers, cooking areas or garages; B in any place where steam, condensation or fumes could B give false alarms; in places that get very hot (such as a boiler room); B in places that get very cold (such as an unheated porch); B to surfaces which are normally much warmer or colder B than the rest of the space. Power supplies The power supply for a smoke alarm system: should be derived from the dwelling-house s mains electricity supply; should comprise a single independent circuit at the dwelling-house s main distribution board (consumer unit or a single regularly used local lighting circuit. B1 1.19

23 Fire resistance 899 It should be possible to isolate the power to the smoke alarms without isolating the lighting. The electrical installation should comply with Approved Document P (lectrical safety). Any cable suitable for domestic wiring may be used for the power supply and interconnection to smoke alarm systems (except in large buildings where the cable needs to be fire resistant (see BS :2004). Conductors used to interconnect alarms (e.g. signalling) should be colour coded so as to distinguish them from those supplying mains power. Mains powered smoke alarms may be interconnected using radio-links, provided that this does not reduce the lifetime or duration of any standby power supply below 72 hours. B B B B B Heat alarms Heat alarms should: be mains-operated and conform to BS :2003; have a standby power supply such as a rechargeable (or non-rechargeable) battery; be designed and installed in accordance with BS :2004. Heat detectors and heat alarms should be sited so that the sensor in ceiling-mounted devices is between 25 mm and 150 mm below the ceiling. B1 1.4 B B1 1.15c