Building regulations and fire safety engineering

A crucial component of Building Regulations, fire safety regulations enforce a set of legally-required precautionary measures with the aim of protecting life. Building Regulations approval is required for any new building in the planning or design stages, or existing premises undergoing or alterations. And the responsibility for fire safety begins right at the very beginning of any project – with the designers. 

Here, we examine Part B fire safety regulations and consider why communication and knowledge sharing between all those involved in a build are key, as building control bodies can check compliance at any stage of design or construction. 

Part B Building Regulations

Building Regulations establish compulsory standards that must be met in the construction of buildings, and approved documents exist to offer guidance on how to satisfy those requirements. Approved Document B (fire safety) concerns itself entirely with fire safety building regulations applying to both the interior and exterior of the buildings, outlining the precautions that must be adhered to in ensuring the safety of occupants, firefighters and anyone within the perimeter of the building in the case of a fire. 

Approved Document Part B is separated into two volumes (the first covering dwellings and the second covering buildings other than dwellings). Both volumes cover requirements related to means of warning and escape, restricting or preventing the spread of fire to neighbouring homes, restricting or preventing the spread of fire within the home and providing access and facilities for the fire brigade.

Where does the RRFSO come in, and what does RRFSO stand for? 

RRFSO stands for the ‘Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005’, which provides a framework for regulating fire safety in all non-domestic premises, including fire safety in workplaces and the parts of multi-occupied residential buildings used in common in England and Wales. As part of this, the RRFSO places the responsibility on individuals within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire. 

Where the RRFSO applies, it’s a legal requirement the building control body consults with the local fire and rescue service when assessing compliance with Building Regulations. 

Fire exit building regulations

With regards to fire exits, building regulations and the RRFSO stipulate that fire exit doors must open in the direction of escape and sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits. They must not be locked or fastened in a way that cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person in an emergency situation. If the door is also to provide security, a fire exit door can be locked from the outside, but must be fitted with an emergency push bar (or other emergency access device) to allow a quick escape. Finally, fire exits must be clearly marked and identifiable using adequate lighting and signage.

Is fire strategy a legal requirement?

Where a building is erected or extended, or has undergone a material change of use, Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations legally requires that a package of fire safety information must be assembled and given to the responsible person of the premises. Regulation 38 requires that where the RRFSO applies, ‘the person carrying out the work shall give fire safety information to the responsible person not later than the date of completion of the work, or the date of occupation of the building or extension, whichever is the earlier.’ 

In the wake of the Grenfell fire disaster, the utmost importance is now placed on this regulation and the need for compliance in handing over fire safety information at completion of a project, including fire safety design features such as means of escape and emergency lighting, for example. The responsible person is only then deemed to have been given sufficient information to carry out a detailed fire risk assessment on the premises. The responsible person has the same definition as given in the RRFSO, meaning here it refers to the employer in a workplace or the person in control of the premises. 

Fire strategy in building regulations

The fire risk assessment can be challenged at any time and if it’s not found to meet the requirements of the RRFSO, it’s a possibility the design team will be held accountable for not properly communicating fire safety information on completion (as so required by Regulation 38). Ultimately, there are a number of roles involved in handing over the required information, including the design team and the building manager or principal contractor. Even at the very beginning of the build, the designer(s) should identify the fire risks that may arise to people through the construction phase, as well as outline fire safety provisions to be present. 

Fire safety engineering UK

Fire safety engineering regulations (UK) serve to minimise the risk and impact of fire in the building and improve its resilience and safety. To ensure absolute compliance, many architects, developers and construction companies assign fire engineers to advise and assist throughout the project to eliminate any potential for missed design features or plans addressing fire strategies. Where architects and construction workers are striving for innovative designs, a fire engineer brings detailed fire safety advice and guidance to a project along with their unrivalled knowledge of standards and legislation. 

For more expert advice on Building Regs. Part B or wider legislation surrounding fire safety, get in touch. To stay up to date with relevant industry news, sign up to our newsletter.