In the UK, any firm planning to begin construction on new premises or renovations of existing premises should note that changes have been made to Britain’s fire safety legislation.
As of November 2024, the British Standards Institution (BSI) released an extensive update to its fire safety standard. BS 9991:2024 was enacted to address the “increasing complexity of modern building designs”. The update supersedes BS 9991:2015, creating a much-needed middle ground between the various regulations and the supporting statutory guidance for building safety standards in the UK.
Active vs passive fire protection
Fire protection strategies in residential and commercial properties are normally categorised into two fields – active fire protection and passive fire protection.
Active fire protection systems need action to function, be it manually or automatically. A typical active fire protection system would be an automated sprinkler system or fire extinguishers. These solutions can detect, alert and quell fire at the earliest possible stage.
Passive fire protection systems focus more on the fabric of the construction itself. These measures can either be fitted from new or retrofitted to help structures to better contain the spread of fire and smoke. The most common passive measures implemented are usually fire-resistant walls, floors, doors and cavity fire barriers.
The latter are an increasingly valuable feature of passive fire protection. The UK government announced a new £1bn scheme to help people to better insulate homes. Meanwhile, more business owners and commercial landlords are acknowledging the importance of cavity fire barriers to prevent the spread of fire in concealed spaces and cavities, working in tandem with insulation products to improve the all-round thermal performance of buildings.
Learnings from the Grenfell Tower tragedy
The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 highlighted the catastrophic consequences of inadequate passive fire protection. Investigators after this tragedy discovered a glaring absence of effective cavity barriers in the building’s cladding system. This accelerated the spread of the fire. Additionally, the front doors of the apartments did not close properly behind them, allowing poisonous smoke to billow into the staircases.
It was also discovered that apartments within Grenfell Tower weren’t fitted with active fire protection systems like fire sprinkler systems which could have dampened down the fire at source.
The investigation highlighted the urgent need for root-and-branch installation and maintenance of these systems during construction and renovation projects.
Today, manufacturers have a deeper understanding of fire safety systems and materials, enabling them to offer a range of solutions tailored to different building types and designs. By incorporating appropriate passive fire protection measures, including cavity fire barriers, businesses can enhance occupant safety, comply with updated regulations, and potentially improve energy efficiency.
The integration of cavity fire barriers and other passive fire protection systems is not merely a regulatory requirement but a vital component of a comprehensive fire safety strategy. Their role in preventing the unseen spread of fire within building cavities cannot be overstated. Nor can their contribution to the overall thermal efficiency of a premises.
As building designs continue to evolve in complexity, staying abreast of the latest fire safety standards and implementing robust passive fire protection measures remain paramount for businesses committed to building and operating safe and sustainable structures.
